The Book

Digital Evidence & eDiscovery Law Practice in Nigeria

Chapter 34

Digital Forensic Investigative Tools

It is not in debate that electronic evidence is information and data of investigative value that is stored on, or transmitted by, an electronic device. However, in its natural state, we cannot “see” what is contained in the physical object that holds the evidence. Equipment and essential toolkits are required to make the evidence visible. Chapter 34 explores these tools. Section 39 of the Nigeria Cyber Crime Act, 2015, provides that:

“Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the content of any electronic communication is reasonably required for the purposes of a criminal investigation or proceedings, a judge may on the bases of information on oath order a service provider, through the application of technical means to intercept, collect, record, permit or assist competent authorities with the collection or recording of the content data and/or traffic data associated with specified communications transmitted by means of a computer system.”