Liability of Automated Electronic Hosts in Commercial Transactions

The chapter examines the liability associated with roles automated played by electronic transactional platforms. Commercial activities in Nigeria are fast evolving. these developments have transcended into the realm of clicks and buttons from the brick and mortar media hitherto utilised. Meetings and negotiations as well as deals are concluded without interpersonal contact. Decisions as per purchases, the making of as well as settlement of purchases financially are done electronically from the convenience of bedchambers or while being mobile. These are the realities of our everyday life: anything short of this verges on been termed 'old school'. This development is anchored on information and communication technology (ICT) and its application. ICT provides a platform for achieving efficiency and the maximisation of scarce resources by business concerns as well as consumers. However, the incorporation of ICT and its tools by today’s businesses and entrepreneurs have given birth to a myriad of issues and challenges of which a not a few is beyond the ken of all. The provision of services by banks is no left out. Presently banks have redesigned and are further redesigning their products and services; giving it a form that is ICT oriented. The chapter also discusses Nigerian legal jurisprudence as presently postured vis-a-vis the relationship between ICT and commercial activities seems not to be able to take care of the corollaries of the relation. The paper is divided into two: the first part is dedicated to an examination of the form and nature of ICT oriented products and services provided by commercial concerns in Nigeria. The second part examines a select few of the consequences of the incorporation of ICT into the mechanics of goods and service provision and/or commerce