CJN says that Nigeria’s judiciary is grappling with the twin challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity as the justice system races to keep pace with rapid technological change.
At the Lagos State 2025/2026 New Legal Year Summit on Tuesday, senior legal figures, including Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (represented by Attorney General Lawal Pedro, SAN), and Lagos Chief Judge Justice Kazeem Alogba, warned that courts must adapt or risk being left behind.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that technology is now essential to justice delivery but cautioned against the dangers of data breaches, record manipulation, and misuse of judicial information. “Technology is no longer an option for a justice system; it is an imperative,” she said. “But it must serve justice, not become its master.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s representative echoed those concerns, warning that cyberattacks could threaten the integrity of court proceedings if not addressed. He pledged continued investment in digital infrastructure, training, and capacity-building to prepare Lagos courts for a technology-driven future.
Justice Alogba, meanwhile, underscored that AI is an “inescapable reality,” urging judges and lawyers to prepare for its ethical and procedural implications. “There is no escape route from the use of AI, which is now all-pervading globally,” he said. “If we do not keep pace, we risk being overwhelmed.”
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The summit also featured a keynote by tech lawyer Olumide Babalola, who described AI as a “pervasive force” already shaping daily life. He warned of the risks of fraudulent filings and judicial portal breaches, citing his own experience of having e-filing credentials misused to submit fake cases. He called for regular auditing and tighter security protocols.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, highlighted the absence of state-level legal frameworks for cybersecurity, noting that current laws fall under federal jurisdiction. He urged stakeholders to consider ways to empower states to legislate on these issues to better protect citizens.
Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, who chaired the summit’s planning committee, said the event was designed to bridge knowledge gaps and prepare Nigeria’s judiciary for global competitiveness.
Legal experts agreed that while AI and digitalization can improve access to justice and reduce case backlogs, they also demand vigilance to protect fairness, accountability, and public trust.
Africa Today News, New York
