The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian-Obot, has called for the careful use of artificial intelligence in Nigeria’s justice system, warning that judicial decisions must remain the responsibility of judges.
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Speaking at a public lecture marking the commencement of the state’s 2026/2027 Legal Year, Fabian-Obot said the judiciary could benefit from AI without surrendering the judgment, discretion and responsibility of judicial officers. Her address was titled “Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Transforming Nigeria’s Justice Sector through the Efficient Use of Artificial Intelligence.”
She identified legal research, case management, transcription and documentation as areas where AI could improve efficiency. Its adoption, she said, must be guided by judicial values, ethical safeguards, transparency and respect for the independence and integrity of court processes. The aim should be better access to justice, faster administration and stronger public confidence in the judiciary.
The Chief Judge’s remarks come after the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary began a pilot programme for AI-assisted court proceedings in March 2026. At its launch, she similarly stressed that technology could help reduce the burden of recording proceedings by hand but could not replace judicial reasoning.
At a thanksgiving service for the new Legal Year, Fabian-Obot thanked Governor Umo Eno for his support for the judiciary. Eno, represented by Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi, said a law establishing the Office of the Public Defender had been passed and that the office was expected to become operational during the new Legal Year.
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