AI Poses Ethical Risks To Nigeria’s Legal Practice Without Regulation – NBA

Legal practitioners have raised fresh concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria’s legal sector.

They warned that the absence of clear regulatory frameworks could expose the justice system to ethical breaches and professional misconduct.

The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch, Rabiu Garba, sounded the alarm during the 2026 Annual Law Week, where he called for proactive measures to guide the integration of emerging technologies into legal practice.

Garba said while artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming legal processes globally, improving research, documentation, and case management, its unregulated adoption in Nigeria poses serious risks, including breaches of client confidentiality, unreliable legal outputs, and erosion of professional standards.

“Artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities for efficiency and innovation in legal practice, but without proper safeguards, it may create more problems than it solves,” he said.

He stressed that the legal profession must not lag behind technological advancements, but warned that embracing innovation without ethical oversight could undermine the credibility of the justice system.

The NBA chairman urged regulatory bodies and policymakers to develop comprehensive guidelines that would define acceptable uses of AI tools, protect client data, and ensure accountability among legal practitioners.

Beyond technology concerns, Garba highlighted broader systemic challenges confronting the judiciary, including poor infrastructure and inadequate welfare for judicial officers, which he said continue to hinder effective justice delivery.

He observed that many courts across the country still rely on outdated facilities and manual processes, slowing down proceedings and frustrating litigants.

Garba also decried the poor remuneration of judicial officers, particularly at the lower bench, noting that low morale could affect productivity and the quality of judicial decisions.

Despite these challenges, he commended the Bauchi State Government under Governor Bala Mohammed and the leadership of Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, for efforts to strengthen judicial processes in the state.

In a related remark, the Special Adviser on Gender, Sha’awanatu Yusuf, called for inclusive justice policies that address the needs of women and vulnerable groups, while emphasising the importance of continuous legal education in emerging areas, including technology-driven practice.

Our correspondent reports that as artificial intelligence continues to reshape professional landscapes worldwide, stakeholders say Nigeria’s legal sector faces a critical moment, one that requires balancing innovation with strong ethical and regulatory safeguards to preserve the integrity of the justice system.