Stories by Steve Aya
Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has unveiled a major digital transformation agenda for the nation’s Judiciary, declaring that while artificial intelligence is revolutionising legal practice across the world, no technology can replace the constitutional responsibility, moral conscience and independent reasoning required of judges.
The Chief Justice made the declaration while delivering the Keynote Address at the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Law Week 2026, where she outlined a comprehensive roadmap for modernising Nigeria’s justice system through technology, without compromising the core principles of fairness, judicial independence and the rule of law.
Justice Kekere-Ekun announced that the Supreme Court is nearing the full implementation of the National Case Management System (NCMS), a digital platform designed to electronically manage cases from the point of filing to final determination. According to her, the system will improve case scheduling, registry administration, judicial workflow, record management and transparency, while reducing delays associated with manual court processes.
She also disclosed that the Apex Court is set to introduce the Supreme Court Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal and Other Matters Practice Directions 2026, under which Lawyers will be required to upload electronic copies of court processes and records, alongside existing physical filing requirements. She said the initiative would create a secure digital repository for court documents, improve access to case materials and accelerate the hearing and determination of appeals.
Speaking on the growing influence of artificial intelligence in legal practice, the Chief Justice acknowledged that AI-powered legal research, automated document drafting, electronic filing systems and virtual court proceedings have significantly improved efficiency across legal systems. She, however, cautioned that justice remains a fundamentally human responsibility requiring constitutional interpretation, discretion, ethical judgement and the careful balancing of competing rights qualities that no machine can replicate.
The Chief Justice further urged Judges and legal practitioners to acquire knowledge in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, digital financial transactions and electronic evidence, noting that courts are increasingly handling technologically complex disputes. She maintained that technology should expand, not restrict access to justice, expressing confidence that Nigeria has the capacity to become Africa’s leading digital Judiciary if ongoing reforms are successfully implemented, while preserving the integrity, independence and human judgement that remain the foundation of justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun warned Lawyers against the uncritical use of artificial intelligence, citing recent international cases in which legal practitioners faced sanctions after relying on fictitious judicial authorities generated by AI. She stressed that technological errors could easily translate into professional misconduct, where Lawyers fail to independently verify legal materials, adding that ethical responsibility can never be delegated to technology.
