In a recent gathering in Port Harcourt, judges, lawyers, and technology experts emphasized the need for stronger safeguards, human oversight, and clear governance frameworks as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into Nigeria's justice system and wider public life. This call was made at the Legal Excellence & AI Leadership Symposium, which took place alongside the AI Justice Hackathon 2026 and the official launch of a book titled "AI, Justice and the Rule of Law: The Denton-West Principles for AI Governance, Digital Sovereignty and Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria".
The events were part of activities marking the 80th birthday of Chief Hon. Justice Sotonye Denton-West, JCA (Emeritus), a former Justice of the Court of Appeal. The programme brought together members of the Judiciary, legal practitioners, academics, technology professionals, and other stakeholders to examine the implications of AI for justice and constitutional governance. Lawyer and legal-technology researcher, Obele Tom-George Akinniranye, who edited the book, highlighted the importance of responsible AI adoption, which requires governance policies and widespread AI literacy before, during, and after deployment.
According to Akinniranye, one of the safeguards is ensuring that governance policies are in place at pre-deployment, post-deployment, and during the deployment of AI tools. She emphasized that organisations adopting AI should ensure that users and operators understand the technology and its limitations. Akinniranye stressed that AI literacy is crucial for those thinking about deploying AI, adding that responsibility for harm caused by AI-assisted systems should ordinarily remain with the humans and institutions deploying or using the technology.
Akinniranye drew an analogy with the use of automobiles, stating that AI tools are similar to cars, and the person deploying or using the tool would be responsible, not the tool itself. She also advocated for stronger institutional structures to guide AI deployment in Nigeria, including governance committees and clearly defined policies for addressing problems when they arise. The book, Akinniranye said, was inspired by her mother's life principles, including transparency, explainability, interoperability, fairness, and non-bias.
Akinniranye proposed a "five-way traffic" conception of justice, expanding the traditional relationship among the people, law, and institutions to include data, AI systems, and people affected by the application of law. This proposal aims to ensure that the integration of AI into the justice system is fair, transparent, and accountable. Meanwhile, Justice Olasumbo Olanrewaju Goodluck, one of the panellists, noted that AI could assist the Judiciary but should not displace constitutional obligations or judicial responsibility.
Justice Goodluck emphasized that the rule of law and the Constitution cannot be negotiated, stressing that judicial decisions must remain grounded in established law. She urged Judges to exercise caution where lawyers' submissions or research materials may have been produced with AI assistance. According to her, it is essential to ensure that AI-assisted systems do not compromise the integrity of the justice system or undermine the role of judges.
The symposium and book launch demonstrate the growing recognition of the need for careful consideration of AI's implications for justice and constitutional governance in Nigeria. As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of life in Nigeria, stakeholders are calling for a proactive approach to ensure that its deployment is guided by clear policies, human oversight, and accountability mechanisms.
Key points
- Experts call for stronger safeguards and human oversight in AI integration into Nigeria's justice system.
- Governance policies and AI literacy are crucial for responsible AI adoption.
- Accountability for harm caused by AI-assisted systems should rest with humans and institutions deploying or using the technology.
