AGF Fagbemi, SAN, Calls for Tech‑Driven Reforms to Boost Judicial Efficiency and Transparency
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on leaders and stakeholders in Nigeria’s justice sector to embrace technology and innovation as strategic tools for reducing case backlogs and enhancing fairness, transparency, and accessibility in the judiciary.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat in Maiduguri, Borno State, themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation, and Coordinated Reform”, Fagbemi stressed that the adoption of modern tools would streamline judicial processes, improve efficiency, and free up human resources for more complex legal tasks.
He identified digital case management systems, artificial intelligence for legal research, online access to legal services, and transparent dispute resolution platforms as critical enablers of a faster and more responsive justice system. According to him, these innovations would not only improve service delivery but also strengthen public confidence in the rule of law.
“As custodians of the law, we must not only embrace this wave of change but lead it,” Fagbemi stated, urging prosecutors, legal advisers, regulators, and policymakers to champion reforms that make justice delivery swifter, fairer, and more accessible. He noted that Nigerians increasingly expect a justice system that is both equitable and effective in meeting their needs.
Fagbemi further emphasised that the future of Nigeria’s legal system would be shaped by how decisively the justice sector integrates technology into its operations. He called for sustained investment in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and data management, alongside legislative reforms and active collaboration with the private sector to achieve lasting transformation.
In his remarks, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, advocated for coordinated reforms across the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, correctional services, legal aid institutions, and customary justice systems. He stressed that eliminating inefficiencies and duplication of efforts was essential to building a unified and effective justice system, adding, “Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies.”
