Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for caution in the adoption of artificial intelligence within the judiciary, stressing the need for strong ethical and legal safeguards as the country embraces digital justice reforms.
Speaking at a public lecture hosted by the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, on Wednesday, Justice Kekere-Ekun said while AI and other technologies offer transformative potential for justice delivery, their deployment must uphold judicial independence, fairness, and data protection.
“Artificial Intelligence is a tool to augment, not replace, judicial wisdom,” she said. “Its integration must be guided by ethical oversight, respect for data privacy, and a commitment to equity.”
The event, themed “Justice in the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology for an Efficient and Accessible Judiciary in Nigeria”, drew top legal minds, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (represented), UNILAG’s Pro-Chancellor Chief Wole Olanipekun, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and other notable figures.
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that the judiciary had begun adopting digital tools such as e-filing, remote hearings, and virtual case management systems, but warned that poor infrastructure, low digital literacy, and outdated legal frameworks remain critical challenges.
“There’s uneven access to ICT tools across courts, and many legal practitioners still need training to effectively engage with digital platforms,” she said, while also addressing the constitutional debates around the legality of virtual court proceedings.
She urged collaboration across sectors to build a more inclusive and tech-savvy justice system, calling on lawmakers to amend outdated laws and on tech firms to develop tailored, secure platforms for judicial use.
“Our vision is of a judiciary where justice is not bound by geography, where every citizen can access justice efficiently, and where technology serves, but never overshadows, the human face of justice,” she concluded.
