Before a public document can be tendered and accepted by the court it must be certified. A Public document is certified if:

1. it was paid for

2. there is an endorsement/certificate that it is a true copy of the document in question.

3. the endorsement/certificate must be dated and signed by the officer responsible for certification, with his name and Official Title.
Per BODE RHODES-VIVOUR, J.S.C in TABIK INVESTMENT LTD v. GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC (2011) 17 NWLR (PT. 1276) 240