Nigerian Bar Association Urges Legal Adaptation To Artificial Intelligence
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Otuocha Branch in Anambra State, has underscored the imperative for the legal profession to embrace the imminent technological shift driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This clarion call emerged during the 2024 Bar Week organized by the branch, themed “The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice,” convened in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Commencing with an opening address by Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Chief Judge of Anambra State, represented by Justice Oguguo Ozo, the Administrative Judge of Otuocha Judicial Division, the event witnessed Reverend Father Professor Ikenga Oraegbunam deliver the keynote address. Oraegbunam, a professor of Applied Jurisprudence, shed light on AI’s burgeoning influence across diverse sectors, including law practice.
While acknowledging AI’s global presence in legal realms, Oraegbunam cautioned that Nigeria was not yet fully prepared for AI and Robot Lawyers due to regulatory and educational constraints. He underscored the imperative to amend legal education, practitioner laws, and cyber laws to effectively integrate AI technology into legal practice.
Responding to apprehensions about AI potentially supplanting human lawyers, Oraegbunam stressed the significance of embracing technological advancements and incorporating cyber law into the educational curriculum.
Chukwuemeka Agbata, Managing Director of Anambra State Information Technology Agency, echoed the sentiments, highlighting AI’s manifold benefits across sectors while expressing reservations about data privacy and protection. He reassured attendees of ongoing efforts to regulate AI application while advocating for its adoption.
In his remarks, Mr. Chijioke Ofoegbunam, Chairman of Otuocha Bar, lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s governance strides in Anambra State and urged attention to the infrastructure needs of the Otuocha Judicial Division to enhance justice dispensation.
The event organizers, led by Mr. Oluchukwu Udemezue, Chairman of the Law Week organizing committee, reiterated the Otuocha Bar’s steadfast commitment to spearheading deliberations on technology’s evolving role in the legal profession. The Bar Week’s focal point aimed to raise awareness of AI’s prospects, challenges, and constraints in legal practice.
