Kekere-Ekun: Judiciary Must Embrace Technology to Remain Relevant, Responsive

•Oyebode faults omission of GaniFawehinmi from Tinubu’s democracy heroes’ list

•CJN embodies integrity, excellence, says Olanipekun

Wale Igbintade

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice KudiratKekere-Ekun, has called for a radical digital transformation of the Nigerian judiciary to ensure it remains relevant, respected, and responsive to the needs of the people.

She made the call at a public lecture themed “Justice in the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology for an Efficient and Accessible Judiciary in Nigeria”, organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.

Kekere-Ekunemphasised that the judiciary, as a vital arm of government, bore the constitutional responsibility of interpreting the law and safeguarding the rights and liberties of Nigerians.

She noted that adopting digital tools could help streamline court processes, promote transparency, reduce case backlogs, and eliminate geographical and financial barriers to accessing justice.

“Digital innovations such as e-filing, virtual courtrooms, and digital case management are already transforming our judicial landscape,” she said, while acknowledging that rising caseloads continue to impede timely justice delivery.

To address these challenges, she advocated the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for legal research, blockchain for evidence tracking, and automated scheduling systems to improve court efficiency.

“These technologies must be deployed strategically to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance accessibility, and strengthen public trust in our justice system,” she stated.

She stressed that the judiciary must meet growing public expectations for a justice system that is not only fair but also fast, accessible, and inclusive, regardless of literacy, location, or socio-economic background.

The Chief Host and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. FolasadeOgunsola, in her welcome address, described Kekere-Ekun as a distinguished, forward-looking, and incorruptible jurist.

“We are privileged to receive an informative, educative, and inspiring lecture from our innovative and visionary Chief Justice of Nigeria, a woman deeply committed to justice.

“I urge everyone to listen attentively, especially our students here today, some of whom may one day become Chief Justices of the Federation,” she said.

In his remarks, renowned Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University), Prof. Akin Oyebode, underscored the growing relationship between law and technology.

He said law students should consider themselves fortunate to have the Chief Justice of Nigeria speak on such a relevant topic at their institution.

However, Prof. Oyebode expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the late human rights lawyer, Chief GaniFawehinmi, from President Bola Tinubu’s list of democracy heroes.

Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, Chief WoleOlanipekun, SAN, described Kekere-Ekun as the pride of Nigeria’s judiciary.

He praised her composure, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law, noting that she has consistently upheld the dignity and integrity of the judiciary.

“Justice Kekere-Ekun is a jurist of uncommon grace and a symbol of judicial excellence. Her judgments are well-reasoned, grounded in law, and delivered with impartiality. She exemplifies the best of our judiciary and continues to inspire confidence both within and outside the legal profession,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Professor TaiwoOsipitan, SAN, commended Justice Kekere-Ekun for delivering a thought-provoking and timely lecture that challenged the judiciary to rise to the demands of the digital era.