Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Legal Technology (LegalTech) into Nigeria’s judicial system as a means of addressing delays and enhancing the speed and efficiency of justice delivery.
Speaking at the 2025 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, themed “Unlocking Opportunities: New Frontiers”, Kalu said that modernising the judicial process through technology was no longer optional but necessary.
“AI is not a distant concept; it is here, and it is transforming our work,” he said, while delivering his keynote address on Wednesday.
Highlighting the growing case backlog in the courts, Kalu noted that:
“Our judicial system, the very bedrock of our society, is burdened by a staggering backlog. As of the first quarter of 2024, our superior courts alone reported a total of 243,253 pending cases, comprising nearly 200,000 civil and over 43,000 criminal matters, excluding the Supreme Court.”
He emphasised the role of digital transformation in expediting justice, stating:
“Our vision for ‘Law as it ought to be’ is not just to digitise existing processes, but to use digital transformation as a catalyst for a comprehensive overhaul. A fully digitised and virtualised judicial system would drastically reduce our current backlog of 200,000 unresolved cases and make justice more accessible.”
Kalu called for nationwide expansion of digital tools such as e-filing, case management systems, and virtual court infrastructure. He also advocated sustained funding and continuous training for legal practitioners to keep up with technological advancements.
“To achieve this, we must expand digital case management systems, e-filing, and remote hearing infrastructure nationwide. We must address the chronic underfunding of the judiciary and provide mandatory, continuous training on new technologies for all legal personnel,” he said.
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He further encouraged young legal professionals to specialise in tech-driven legal fields, noting that areas such as AI law, blockchain regulation, and digital forensics would define the future of legal practice.
“The future demands deep specialisation and technological fluency, including AI prompt engineering, digital research, and data interpretation.”
Acknowledging gaps in Nigeria’s current AI regulation, Kalu called for a dedicated legislative framework to guide ethical and responsible innovation.
“Our regulatory landscape for AI is still fragmented, relying on existing laws not specifically designed for AI.
We need dedicated, comprehensive AI legislation. This framework should define AI’s scope, specify regulators, codify ethical principles, and delineate responsibilities and liabilities.”
He proposed the adoption of innovation sandboxes to test AI-related legal frameworks in real time, referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s model for fintech as a possible blueprint.
Kalu concluded by urging the legal community to embrace the digital era and play a leading role in building a justice system responsive to contemporary needs.
