Judges, lawyers and technology experts have called for strict human oversight and stronger safeguards as AI in Nigeria’s justice system becomes more prominent, warning that artificial intelligence should support judicial work rather than replace human responsibility.
The call was made in Port Harcourt during the Legal Excellence & AI Leadership Symposium, held alongside the AI Justice Hackathon 2026 and the launch of “AI, Justice and the Rule of Law: The Denton-West Principles for AI Governance, Digital Sovereignty and Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria”.
The event brought together members of the Judiciary, legal practitioners, academics, technology professionals and other stakeholders to examine the implications of AI for justice, governance and constitutional rights.
Obele Tom-George Akinniranye, a lawyer and legal-technology researcher who edited the book, said responsible AI adoption requires governance policies and AI literacy before, during and after deployment.
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She said organisations using AI should ensure that users understand how the technology works, including its limitations, while also establishing clear structures for dealing with problems arising from its use.
Akinniranye also argued that responsibility for harm caused by AI-assisted systems should generally remain with the people and institutions deploying or using the technology, although developers could also bear responsibility depending on the circumstances.
Justice Olasumbo Olanrewaju Goodluck said AI could assist the Judiciary but should not override constitutional obligations or judicial responsibility. She urged judges to exercise caution when lawyers use AI-generated material in legal submissions and research, stressing that decisions must remain based on established law, evidence and the judge’s constitutional duties.
Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio called specifically for human control and guardrails, citing risks including deepfakes and manipulated evidence. He said AI could provide analytical and efficiency benefits but warned against excessive reliance on automated systems in judicial processes.
Justice Sotonye Denton-West also raised concerns about excessive dependence on AI-generated material, arguing that judicial actors must independently assess the facts, law and circumstances surrounding each case.
The keynote address, delivered on behalf of Borno State Chief Judge Justice Kashim Zannah, identified algorithmic bias, automated decision-making, cybersecurity, privacy, data governance, intellectual property, digital evidence and liability as issues that Nigeria’s emerging AI governance framework must address.
The address also stressed that technological modernisation should strengthen judicial independence, access to justice and fundamental rights rather than weaken them.
The discussions followed the AI Justice Hackathon 2026, which focused on developing responsible AI solutions for legal information, legal aid, dispute resolution and access to justice.
The growing debate over AI in Nigeria’s justice system highlights the need to establish clear rules around how automated tools are used while retaining human judgement over decisions with legal and constitutional consequences.
Lawrence Orjime is an AI and technology writer at AIBase.ng, covering the latest developments in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and the companies shaping the future of AI.
With a background in content strategy, SEO, and digital media, Lawrence Orjime combines technology reporting with a strong understanding of what makes information useful and easy to find online.