A two-day Commonwealth Symposium on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence was held at the Supreme Court of Seychelles on Monday 10 March and Tuesday 11 March, bringing together Judicial Officers and Judicial Research Councils to engage in insightful discussions and training on this evolving area of law.
The event aimed to enhance the Judiciary’s capacity to respond effectively to cyber-related offenses and to ensure the legal system remains robust in the face of digital challenges.
The symposium opened with a formal address delivered by Supreme Court Judge Burhan, who extended apologies on behalf of the Chief Justice, who was unable to attend but conveyed his full support for the event. The delegation paid a courtesy call to the Chief Justice separately to introduce themselves and speak about the program.
Judge Burhan emphasized the growing complexity of cybercrime and the critical role of electronic evidence in the administration of justice, urging judicial officers to remain informed and adaptive to these technological advancements.
Judge Melchior Vidot, Head of the Judicial Training and Continuing Studies (JUCOS) program, followed with remarks highlighting the Judiciary’s commitment to capacity-building and the importance of ongoing training in cybercrime and digital evidence. He acknowledged the collaborative effort between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Seychelles Judiciary in making this symposium a reality.
Expert-Led Discussions on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence
The workshop featured esteemed speakers and facilitators from the Commonwealth delegation, including Legal and Policy Expert Zahid Jamil, cybersecurity specialist Dr. Bright Gameli, and Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal of Ghana. Their expertise provided valuable insights into international best practices for handling cybercrime cases and assessing electronic evidence in judicial proceedings.
In addition, the Commonwealth delegation in Seychelles also included facilitators Dr. Nkechi Amobi, Senior Research Officer in the Rule of Law Cyber Unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Emma Beckles, Programme Officer, Rule of Law, Commonwealth Secretariat.
A Collaborative Effort for Judicial Excellence
The success of this symposium was made possible through the joint efforts of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Seychelles Judiciary. Facilitators Dr. Nkechi Amobi and Emma Beckles worked closely with Head of JUCOS Judge Melchior Vidot, Director of Legal Affairs Mr. Lionel Garrick, and Head of Public Relations Ms. Sasha Marivel, who also moderated the event, to ensure seamless coordination and impactful sessions for participants.
As the crime landscape evolves, the Judiciary of Seychelles remains committed to keeping pace with emerging legal challenges. This symposium marks a significant step in equipping judicial officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively address cybercrime and handle electronic evidence, ultimately strengthening the rule of law in the digital age.