CJN Kudirat Keker Ekun Launches Judiciary Digital Reform

On an occasion marking the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Law Week 2026, Chief Justice Kudirat Keker Ekun announced a comprehensive digital reform agenda aimed at modernizing Nigeria's judiciary. She declared that the advent of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing legal practices globally but cautioned that technology cannot replace the moral and ethical responsibilities of judges.

The Chief Justice outlined plans for the near-full implementation of a national case management system (NCM) by the Supreme Court, which will facilitate electronic case management and improve workflow efficiency. By 2026, lawyers will be required to upload electronic copies of court process records alongside existing physical files.

She acknowledged the potential of AI for legal research and document drafting but stressed the importance of human judgment in constitutional interpretation. Furthermore, she warned legal practitioners against uncritical reliance on AI, citing recent cases where lawyers faced sanctions for failing to independently verify legal materials.