Justice Tanko urges judges to enforce deterrent justice against cybercrime

Supreme Court Justice Tanko Amadu has called on members of the judiciary to uphold justice firmly in the fight against cybercrime, emphasizing the need for strong deterrent rulings to combat the surge in online fraud and scams.

Speaking at the third Ghana–Nigeria Symposium on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence held in Accra, Justice Amadu — who also serves as the Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) — urged judges to remain committed to their ethical duty of protecting hardworking citizens from exploitation in the digital space.

The two-day symposium brought together judges and judicial officers from Ghana and Nigeria, aiming to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen institutional capacity for addressing cybercrime.

The event was jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat Cyber Unit, Ghana’s Judicial Training Institute, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, as part of ongoing initiatives under the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Cyber Unit has trained over 1,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges from 55 Commonwealth countries in handling cases involving cybercrime and electronic evidence.

Justice Amadu cautioned that cybercrime extends far beyond direct financial loss, warning that it erodes public trust in digital platforms, undermines economic confidence, and damages national reputations.

He noted that Nigeria’s global image has long been affected by fraudulent activities — from the notorious “419” advance-fee schemes to modern phishing and business email compromise (BEC) rings — while Ghana faces its own challenge with the rise of “sakawa” syndicates.

Justice Amadu outlined the judiciary’s pivotal role in ensuring justice through the proper management and interpretation of digital evidence.

He advised judges to insist on strict chain-of-custody standards, understand the potential for data manipulation, and continually update their knowledge of emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency and cross-border cyberattacks.

He further urged the judiciary to maintain a balanced approach by issuing deterrent sentences while upholding due process and privacy rights, avoiding wrongful convictions based on unreliable or misinterpreted electronic evidence.

Recent data from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) underscores the urgency of Justice Amadu’s call.

Justice Amadu concluded by urging sustained collaboration between judicial bodies, security agencies, and the public to reinforce digital trust and safeguard the nation’s growing online economy.