Nigerian lawyers, tech gurus to discuss access to justice in the age of AI

Dozens of Nigerian tech enthusiasts, lawyers, and academicians will gather in Abuja next week to discuss issues at the intersection of access to justice, digital technology, and artificial intelligence in legal practices across the country.

The participants will gather at a headshot event on 10 May at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to a statement by the co-founder of Case Radar AI, Agbo Obinnaya, about 500 persons are expected in what would be one of the nation’s first gatherings to discuss the mission to democratize legal knowledge and streamline legal processes.

Mr. Obinnaya said the event will also empower young talents with several skills to revamp their social media accounts in a bid to give them the necessary credibility they need in their careers.

“Because access to justice in Nigeria is still a luxury for many. The system is slow, expensive, and often confusing. Tech like Case Radar breaks down those walls — giving everyday people instant access to legal answers, documents, and support. It’s law made simple, not scary. So, we are organizing this event to address and jointly provide solutions to issues in our legal sector,” parts of the statement stated.

The legal headshot event

“The Headshot Event is our way of investing in the image of young professionals. We’re offering free professional photos for their social media to help them show up with confidence — online and offline. It’s more than a picture; it’s about presence, credibility, and community.

“Certificates will also be offered on artificial intelligence, legal tech, career development, job interviews, and CV reviews. In addition to all of these, we will also be giving them a free book on LinkedIn optimization.”

Mr. Obinnaya, a legal practitioner, said that his tech platform, Case Radar, is built with five core tools designed for ease — which can help with legal advice to document generation. He said a full review of the application will be displayed at the event.

“He that anyone can use from their phone or laptop. No legal background needed. We’re making the law accessible, affordable, and available 24/7. That’s how we intend to contribute our quota to bridge the gap between the law and the people in our country,” he said.

The rise of AI

Access to justice remains a major problem plaguing Nigeria, where the legal system often fails to deliver fair and timely justice to its citizens. Despite the nation’s robust legal framework, many Nigerians are unable to access justice due to various barriers, including poverty, ignorance, and corruption.

The majority of the population cannot afford legal representation, and the cost of pursuing a case through the courts can be prohibitively expensive. This has led to a situation where the rich and powerful often get preferential treatment, while the poor and vulnerable are left to suffer in silence.

With the surge in the introduction of tech solutions in legal practice in Nigeria — some of which have also helped citizens without legal training to understand the law and the country’s legal landscape — experts believe that artificial intelligence will gradually change the legal ecosystem, which is still largely analogue in nature.