AI news ·
CJN Urges Lawyers to Balance Artificial Intelligence with Human Judgment in Legal Practice
The Chief Justice of Nigeria urged lawyers to embrace AI cautiously in legal practice, emphasizing critical evaluation before full integration. Experts call for laws to regulate AI use and protect users.
Don’t Over-Rely on Artificial Intelligence, CJN Advises Lawyers
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motomori Kekere-Ekun, stressed the importance of lawyers embracing modern technology, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal practice. She delivered this message during the opening of the 16th Annual General Conference of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, represented by Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi of the Court of Appeal, described the conference theme, “Artificial Intelligence, Law and Religion in Nigeria,” as timely and relevant. She explained that AI involves machines replicating human intelligence to perform tasks like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.
“AI is gradually transforming various sectors worldwide, including the legal system,” she said. “Given the dynamic nature of our society, the Nigerian legal system must stay current with AI developments to avoid being left behind in adapting these tools for case adjudication.”
However, she cautioned lawyers to critically evaluate AI before integrating it fully into the legal framework.
Lawyers’ Role in Advancing Justice and AI
Saidu Muhammadu Tudunwada, National President of MULAN, emphasized the lawyers' commitment to justice, knowledge, and professional excellence. He highlighted that AI systems are now capable of processing vast legal data and generating legal arguments. This development calls for thoughtful reflection on the role of human judgment in jurisprudence.
Regulatory Framework for AI Use
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mallam Isa Pantami, raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI by cybercriminals. He urged governments to enact laws regulating AI to protect users and prevent criminal activities.
Pantami recommended that the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, should pass a National Artificial Intelligence Development and Deployment Act to guide the use of AI responsibly.
Governance and Judicial Integrity
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the state Attorney-General Ibrahim Senior Sulyman, opened the conference by urging lawyers to perform their duties with integrity. He noted that his administration continues to support effective judicial processes in Kwara State.
As AI becomes more integrated into legal processes, lawyers are encouraged to stay informed and exercise careful judgment in adopting these technologies. For those interested in gaining practical skills on AI applications, exploring relevant courses can provide valuable insights and tools.