NBA seeks review of Nigerian law to accommodate AI revolution

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Otuocha Branch in Anambra, has said that the profession must be attuned to the impending artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technological revolution.

The NBA branch made the call at its 2024 Bar Week, themed “The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice,"  held in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA), on Friday.

The Bar Week was declared open by Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Chief Judge of Anambra, who was represented by Justice Oguguo Ozo, the Administrative Judge of Otuocha Judicial Division.

Rev. Fr. Prof. Ikenga Oraegbunam, who delivered the keynote address, said, just like other fields of endeavour, AI has found uses in law practice.

Oraegbunam, a professor of applied jurisprudence, said though Nigeria was not ripe for AI and robot lawyers due to the absence of prerequisite conditions, their applications in law practice cannot be wished away.

“Artificial intelligence has come to stay; it is influencing every field of human endeavour, and it has become ever more pervasive in our lives today.

“In the legal profession, AI has applications. A lot of companies in some countries have employed robot lawyers, but in Nigeria, there is no place for it, including robot lawyers.

“This is because robot lawyers are not called to the bar, have no record of obtaining an LLB, no record of passing through law school, and are not on the roll call of lawyers; these are what qualify you to practice law in Nigeria,” he said.

Oraegbunam said there was an urgent need to amend the Legal Education Act, the Legal Practitioners Act, and the Cyber Law in order to accommodate the place of AI technology in law practice.

He, however, dismissed the fears that AI could take over the job of lawyers, adding that only those who did not upgrade to its application would be affected.

“We also need to introduce cyberlaw and return to the law school curriculum. Our layers and judges have to be updated while our students have to be introduced to this technology early enough,” he said.

On his part, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agbata, Managing Director of the Anambra State Information Technology Agency, said artificial intelligence had made education, business, financial services, and other fields easier and more effective.

Agbata, however, raised concerns about data privacy and data protection issues and informed the audience that efforts were being made to provide some regulation in the application of AI.

He said people should embrace technology as it has come to stay.

In his remark, Mr. Chijioke Ofoegbunam, Chairman of Otuocha Bar, commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for his work in Anambra and called on him to give attention to the Otuocha Judicial Division, which he described as unconducive.

Ofoegbunam said the courts, halls, and judge chambers of the Aguleri High Court needed completion to make for speedy dispensation of justice in the division.

He thanked the guests and appreciated their contributions to the success of the event.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Oluchukwu Udemezue, Chairman of the Law Week organising committee, said Otuocha Bar would continue to lead conversation on technology in the law profession.

Udemezue said the focus of this year’s Bar Week was to raise awareness about the reality of AI and its attendant opportunities, threats, and limitations in the legal profession.