By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Lagos State Judiciary has taken a bold step in embracing technology to ease the burden court affairs of Lagos residents seeking general affidavits.
Such affidavits can now be procured online through the newly launched platform “LagosComis” designed to include every aspect of court services which relates to affidavits.
The information was made public through a directive, issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Admin), Rasaq O. Davies, on behalf of the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State.
The development is aimed at digitizing and streamlining affidavit services that cater to everyday administrative needs such as change of name, declaration of age, or SIM loss.
According to the circular, litigation-related affidavits used in court proceedings are exempt from this policy.
Instead, the focus is on general-purpose affidavits commonly required by banks, telecoms companies, government offices, and schools.
This move marks a significant departure from the traditional method that involved queuing up at court registries to obtain or swear affidavits.
Now, all eligible affidavit requests must go through the Lagos Judiciary’s online portal.
“The aim is to reduce congestion in court premises, cut down on forgery and fraud, and make the affidavit process more transparent and user-friendly,” an official familiar with the development explained.
The judiciary has also published a set of user guidelines on the LagosComis website to help residents navigate the new system, including steps for document upload, verification, payment, and e-signature.
Legal practitioners and frequent users of affidavit services have welcomed the transition but also raised concerns about digital literacy and accessibility for some members of the public, particularly the elderly and those without internet access.
Nonetheless, the state judiciary insists that the digital switchover is in line with Lagos State’s long-term goal of transforming public service delivery through technology.
