CJN pushes responsible AI use in justice system

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned that while artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are transforming legal practice, they must never replace the constitutional responsibility of judges to determine rights and obligations.

The CJN spoke on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch Law Week in Lagos.

The event was themed “Lawyering in the Digital Age: Navigating Technology, Justice and Innovation.”

In her address, titled “Beyond Disruption: Redefining Legal Practice at the Intersection of Law, Technology and Justice,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said the rise of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, digital assets, cybercrime, electronic evidence and synthetic media has fundamentally altered legal practice and judicial adjudication.

She observed that courts are increasingly handling disputes involving emerging technologies, making technological literacy essential for judges.

“Every significant technological development eventually arrives in a courtroom where it must be examined not simply through the lens of innovation, but through the enduring requirements of legality, fairness and constitutionalism,” she said.

While commending the National Judicial Institute for training judicial officers on technology-related issues, the CJN stressed that technology should only serve as a tool to improve justice delivery.

“Technology is an instrument of justice. It can never become its substitute,” she declared.

According to her, judicial decision-making involves interpreting constitutional values, assessing witness credibility, balancing competing rights and exercising judicial conscience, functions that cannot be delegated to algorithms.

She also raised concerns over opaque artificial intelligence systems whose reasoning cannot be explained, warning that they could conflict with the constitutional right to a fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the increasing use of AI-generated evidence would require courts to address complex issues relating to authenticity, reliability and accountability.

She described technology as one of the judiciary’s greatest opportunities to improve access to justice by reducing delays, simplifying court administration and enhancing transparency.

The CJN disclosed that the Supreme Court is finalising implementation of its National Case Management System, an integrated digital platform that will enable appeals to be monitored from filing to determination, while improving registry administration, scheduling, case tracking and data integrity.

She also announced that the apex court would soon introduce its mandatory upload of electronic copies of processes, record of appeal and other matters practice directions 2026, requiring electronic submission of court processes alongside physical filing.

She, however, cautioned that digital transformation must not exclude litigants lacking access to technology or digital literacy.

“Our objective is not to imitate other jurisdictions, but to develop solutions that reflect our constitutional values and institutional realities. Technology must serve Nigeria’s justice system, not the other way around,” she said.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, disclosed that 630 cases have been filed through the court’s electronic filing platform since it became operational on April 27, 2026.

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Represented by the Administrative Judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, Justice Olayinka Faji, the Chief Judge thanked NBA branches in Lagos State for supporting the successful rollout of the e-filing system.

He revealed that the court conducted 12 training sessions for lawyers before introducing the platform.

“Between April 27, 2026, and today, at least 630 cases have been assigned on the e-filing platform. That gives us an average of about 200 cases per month,” he said.

Justice Faji noted that although electronic filings have yet to match manual filings, the progress demonstrates increasing acceptance of digital justice reforms.

He also urged judges and lawyers to acquire basic technological knowledge and called for greater investment in justice-sector infrastructure to create an integrated digital ecosystem linking investigators, courts and correctional services.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, urged lawyers to embrace technology while ensuring that innovation remains subject to the rule of law.

She noted that although artificial intelligence can draft documents, analyse case law and predict legal outcomes, it cannot replace judgment, discretion, equity or the ethical responsibilities of lawyers.

“Our greatest asset has never been the tools we use. It has always been the values we uphold,” she said.

Salu-Hundeyin highlighted Lagos State’s deployment of electronic filing, digital case management and other technology-driven reforms, while stressing that lawyers must ensure technological innovation remains anchored in justice, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.

“The future belongs to lawyers who combine sound legal reasoning with digital competence,” she added.

In her welcome address, Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Mrs Uchenna Ogunedo-Akingbade, said the legal profession has moved beyond preparing for the digital age and must now adapt to technology-driven practice.

She urged lawyers to embrace innovation, continuous learning and digital competence, noting that electronic filing, virtual hearings, online dispute resolution and artificial intelligence have become integral to legal practice.

“The question is no longer whether technology will change legal practice. It already has. The real question is whether we are willing to adapt, innovate and remain relevant,” she said.

Ogunedo-Akingbade also announced that work on the NBA Lagos Bar Centre would resume within a month and expressed optimism that the project would be completed before the next Law Week.

Chairman of the 2026 Law Week Planning Committee, Mrs Obosa Akpata, said the conference would examine pressing legal issues arising from technological advancement, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybercrime, data protection, digital court processes and the ethical challenges confronting the legal profession.

She said participants would also debate whether digital innovation can truly reform Nigeria’s justice system if ethical compromise persists and discuss the implications of technology for the 2027 general elections.

“Technology must remain our instrument, never our master. Justice must remain our unwavering purpose,” Akpata said.