Legal and technology stakeholders have renewed calls for the comprehensive digitisation of Nigeria’s judicial system, citing persistent inefficiencies in manual court processes that hinder the timely delivery of justice.
Speaking at the 2025 Justice Innovation and Technology (JIT) Summit held in Abuja, Mrs. Lucy Abagi, CEO of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), highlighted the urgent need to transition from outdated practices to automated systems that promote transparency and efficiency.
Abagi noted that over 80 per cent of Nigerian courts still rely on manual operations, a situation that severely limits productivity and contributes to judicial delays. She said the summit was convened to address these gaps and promote the use of digital tools in the justice sector.
According to her, PPDC—supported by international partners—has piloted its Justice Initiative in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau states, deploying speech-to-text devices in select courtrooms. This innovation, she said, is transforming case management and enabling judges to focus on core judicial functions without the burden of long-hand note-taking.
“The Judic AI software, developed by young Nigerian tech graduates, is currently operational in 16 courtrooms. It provides instant transcriptions and simplifies court administration,” Abagi said, adding that this solution could also help reduce Nigeria’s estimated 80,000 awaiting trial inmates by improving judicial speed.
Also speaking at the summit, Mr. Bemshima Peter, CEO of Devon Technologies Ltd., explained that Judic AI is a smart transcription and case management platform designed to modernise judicial procedures. He acknowledged challenges such as accent and dialect variations but assured that multilingual capabilities are being developed to improve accuracy and inclusivity.
In his remarks, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), stressed the importance of digital literacy for judges and court personnel. He criticised the reluctance of some courts to adopt virtual hearings, which he described as essential in reducing unnecessary physical appearances and litigation delays.
“Courts must provide virtual hearing facilities as a standard service—not a privilege. The continued rejection of such systems is unacceptable,” Osigwe asserted.
The summit, attended by a cross-section of legal professionals, tech innovators, and government stakeholders, also showcased efforts by Devon Technologies to reshape Africa’s justice systems through digital transformation and increased accessibility.
Legallinkz.com reports that the 2025 JIT Summit is part of broader initiatives to align Nigeria’s judiciary with global best practices in legal technology and justice innovation.
