The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has affirmed that the Nigerian judiciary is actively embracing digital transformation to enhance justice delivery, restore public trust, and ensure wider access to legal services.
She made this known on Wednesday during a hybrid public lecture organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, themed: “Justice in the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology for an Efficient and Accessible Judiciary.”
According to Kekere-Ekun, ongoing efforts are being made to integrate digital tools into judicial processes to make the system more efficient, resilient, and citizen-focused.
Citing her personal experience, the CJN shared how she embraced technology early in her judicial career. As a high court judge, she learned to type her own judgments to speed up case resolution, and later adopted dictation software to streamline her responsibilities as CJN.
“These personal adaptations reflect a broader imperative—leveraging technology to make our judiciary more efficient, responsive, and accessible,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun highlighted several areas where technological transformation is already underway in the Nigerian justice system, including:
- Virtual court proceedings
- E-filing and e-service of legal documents
- Digital transcription and case management systems
- Functional court websites and portals
- The gradual introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools
She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual hearings, which allowed judicial proceedings—including witness examinations and judgments—to continue remotely, despite earlier constitutional concerns.
“The introduction of e-filing and e-service has significantly reduced delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Courts such as those in Lagos and the National Industrial Court have adopted these systems, aligning with global standards,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun further emphasized the emerging role of AI in legal research, decision-making support, and document review. However, she cautioned against over-reliance, stating that AI should “augment—not replace—judicial wisdom,” and stressed the importance of ethical oversight, data privacy, and mitigation of algorithmic bias.
She outlined the numerous benefits of digital transformation, including:
- Improved access to justice
- Greater efficiency and transparency
- Reduced case backlogs
- Enhanced accountability and data-driven reform
However, the CJN acknowledged challenges that must be addressed. These include:
- Inconsistent access to electricity and internet across court jurisdictions
- Gaps in digital literacy among legal professionals and staff
- Outdated procedural laws that don’t reflect digital realities
- Inadequate cybersecurity measures
She emphasized the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, continuous training, legal reform, and digital security protocols to ensure the success and sustainability of the transition.
Importantly, Kekere-Ekun called for an inclusive approach that ensures no group is left behind, especially rural populations, people with disabilities, and others in underserved areas. She advocated for multilingual platforms, assistive technologies, and public education to bridge the digital divide.
“The judiciary we envision is one where justice is no longer confined to the four walls of a courtroom—where litigants can file suits, track progress, attend hearings, and receive judgments without geographical or logistical barriers,” she declared.
The CJN concluded by emphasizing the collective responsibility of judicial officers, court staff, lawyers, lawmakers, the executive, development partners, academia, and civil society in realizing a fair, timely, and humane judiciary that evolves with the needs of a modern society.
