Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian Obot, has called for the systematic application of Artificial Intelligence in the administration of justice in Nigeria, while issuing a firm caution that technology must remain "the servant of justice, not its master." The Chief Judge made the declaration on Monday, September 28, 2026, while delivering a public lecture titled "Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Transforming Nigeria's Justice Sector through the Efficient Use of Artificial Intelligence," at an event marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year in Akwa Ibom State.
Justice Fabian-Obot noted that the judiciary cannot afford to remain isolated from the rapid technological developments reshaping virtually every sector of society. "Artificial Intelligence has the potential to improve efficiency in the administration of justice by assisting with legal research, case management, transcription, documentation and other routine processes," she said. She was unequivocal, however, that the adoption of AI must be guided by judicial values, ethical considerations, transparency, and the need to preserve the independence and integrity of the judicial process. "Technology should complement, rather than replace, the judgment, discretion and responsibility of judicial officers," she declared. She stressed that the ultimate purpose of every technological innovation introduced into the justice system must be to enhance access to justice, improve efficiency, and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
The Chief Judge's intervention comes amid a growing debate about the role of technology in Nigeria's justice sector. Proponents argue that AI can reduce the backlog of cases, speed up trials, and improve the accuracy of legal research. Critics, however, warn that the technology could entrench bias, erode the human element of judging, and pose risks to privacy and due process. Justice Fabian-Obot's lecture sought to chart a middle path, embracing the potential of AI while insisting that human judgment remains paramount. "Sound judgment remains a human responsibility guided by conscience, legal precedent and the Constitution," she said.
The lecture was not merely a theoretical exercise. The Akwa Ibom State Judiciary has already commenced the deployment of AI in court proceedings as part of efforts to ensure faster and more efficient management of cases. The initiative began with a pilot training programme in March 2026 at the judiciary headquarters in Uyo, attended by key stakeholders including the Chief Judge, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom SAN, a representative of the National Judicial Institute, the Chief Registrar, judges and magistrates, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch. At the flag-off ceremony, Justice Fabian-Obot expressed appreciation to the trainers for their willingness to share knowledge and emphasised the need to embrace modern technology in the administration of justice, noting that the popular maxim "justice delayed is justice denied" underscores the importance of adopting innovations that can enhance the speed and efficiency of court processes.
She explained that when responsibly deployed, AI can provide valuable tools for legal research, case management and court administration. According to her, the technology will significantly reduce the burden of longhand writing traditionally associated with court proceedings and help mitigate the health challenges often faced by judges due to prolonged writing. Akwa Ibom State is among only six states selected across Nigeria for the pilot programme by the National Judicial Institute, which was represented at the event. The Managing Director of LexScript AI, Barrister Emeka Albert, explained that the week-long training sessions would involve technical teams conducting assessments of designated courtrooms and installing the audio capture and transcription equipment required for the demonstration phase. During the next stage of the exercise, the system will be deployed during two days of live court sittings, with the Lextech Capture team handling matters listed on the court's cause list, capturing ten cases each day. The proceedings will be processed through an AI-assisted workflow to produce verbatim transcripts, which will be delivered to the court within 24 hours.
The Chief Judge's call for a systematic application of AI carries significant implications for Nigeria's judiciary, which has long struggled with delays, inefficiency, and a massive backlog of cases. The adoption of AI-assisted transcription, legal research, and case management could potentially transform the pace of justice delivery. However, the caution that technology must remain a servant rather than a master reflects a broader recognition that the justice system is fundamentally about human judgment, not algorithmic efficiency. As Nigeria's courts begin to grapple with the opportunities and risks of AI, the balance struck by Justice Fabian-Obot may serve as a model for other states and the federal judiciary.
At a thanksgiving service marking the new legal year, Justice Obot expressed gratitude to God for His mercies throughout 2026, while expressing strong faith that God would continue to protect and preserve the judiciary. She also thanked the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for listening and catering to the needs of the judiciary. The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, congratulated the judiciary and appreciated the robust relationship that has existed between the executive and the judiciary since the inception of his administration. He disclosed that earlier in the year, a law was passed establishing the Office of the Public Defender, which would become operational in the course of the new legal year. Pastor Sylvanus Ukafia of the Insight Bible Church urged judges to remain conscious of all their dealings and remember the existence of a greater Judge above who would ultimately bring all works to judgment.
For now, the Akwa Ibom judiciary stands at the forefront of a quiet but potentially transformative shift in how justice is administered in Nigeria. The pilot programme, the training of judges and magistrates, and the Chief Judge's public embrace of AI signal a willingness to experiment with new tools. But the caution that technology must serve justice, not dominate it, is a reminder that the ultimate measure of any reform is not how fast cases are processed, but whether justice is done. As other states watch Akwa Ibom's experiment unfold, the lessons learned will shape the future of Nigeria's justice system for years to come.
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