Supreme Court Goes Digital As CJN Unveils Landmark E-Filing Reforms

By Olugbenga Soyele, Lago

Nigeria’s judiciary is set for one of its most significant technological transformations, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, announcing that the Supreme Court will soon deploy a National Case Management System (NCMS) and introduce mandatory electronic filing of court documents to modernise judicial administration.

The reforms, the CJN said, are aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, enhancing transparency and restoring public confidence in the administration of justice.

Justice Kekere-Ekun disclosed this on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Law Week in Lekki, Lagos.

She, however, cautioned that while technology is transforming legal practice globally, it must remain a tool for delivering justice rather than replacing the constitutional role of judges.

The Chief Justice said artificial intelligence has become increasingly valuable for legal research, drafting, document review and analysing judicial precedents but stressed that it cannot replace judicial reasoning, discretion or the exercise of human conscience.

She revealed that the Supreme Court is finalising arrangements for the official launch of the National Case Management System, describing it as one of the most far-reaching institutional reforms ever undertaken by Nigeria’s apex court.

According to her, the integrated digital platform will enable electronic monitoring of cases from commencement to conclusion, improve registry administration, strengthen case tracking, enhance scheduling and preserve the integrity of court records.

“The NCMS will fundamentally improve how appeals are managed by providing a unified digital platform through which cases can be tracked from start to finish,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said.

The CJN also announced that the apex court will issue the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal, and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026, making it compulsory for litigants to upload electronic copies of court processes in addition to existing physical filing requirements.

She explained that the new Practice Directions would establish a secure digital repository for court records, improve access to case materials for Supreme Court Justices and significantly reduce delays associated with handling physical documents.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that the reforms extend beyond technology, describing them as institutional changes designed to improve access to justice, enhance the experience of litigants, increase lawyers’ productivity and enable judicial officers to discharge their constitutional responsibilities more effectively.

She noted that Nigeria’s judiciary has already recorded significant progress in electronic filing, virtual court proceedings and digital case management across various courts, supported by legislative reforms recognising electronic evidence and strengthening the country’s cybercrime and criminal justice frameworks.

The Chief Justice also warned legal practitioners against the indiscriminate use of artificial intelligence, noting that some lawyers had already faced sanctions after relying on fictitious judicial authorities generated through AI “hallucinations.”

She reminded lawyers that professional responsibility for every authority cited and every legal submission remains theirs regardless of the technology used in preparing court processes.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged legal practitioners to develop digital competencies alongside traditional legal knowledge, saying future lawyers must understand artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cybersecurity and digital evidence to remain relevant.

She equally called on judicial officers to continuously acquire digital skills to effectively adjudicate disputes involving artificial intelligence, cybercrime, blockchain transactions, digital assets and synthetic media.

While advocating greater digital transformation, the CJN warned that technological reforms must not create fresh barriers for Nigerians with limited digital literacy or inadequate access to technology.

She called on the Nigerian Bar Association, universities, the Council of Legal Education and policymakers to work together in building a justice system that embraces technological innovation without compromising constitutional values.

Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to lead Africa’s digital justice revolution, Justice Kekere-Ekun said the country possesses the legal expertise, judicial capacity and growing technological ecosystem required to build a world-class justice system.

She concluded by reminding lawyers and judges that technology should always remain subordinate to the principles of justice.

“No algorithm can replace the integrity of our institutions, the independence of our judges and the professionalism of our lawyers. Technology must always remain the instrument. Justice must always remain the purpose,” she said.