Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, has urged the state judiciary to collaborate with other arms of government to address pressing cybersecurity issues within an AI-driven justice system.
He made the call at the 2025/26 new legal year Summit organised by the state’s judiciary, with the theme “Cybersecurity in an AI-Driven Justice System: The Bar, The Bench, and Ethical Concerns.”
At the event held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Chief Obasa commended the judiciary for its commitment to the timely delivery of justice, emphasising the importance of a united approach to navigating the complexities of cybersecurity.
As we embrace technology, we must also take proactive steps to protect our citizens from potential threats.
The Lagos State House of Assembly is committed to backing up the provision of necessary facilities and support to ensure that justice is delivered without hindrance,” he assured.
The Speaker highlighted the necessity of leveraging legal tools to enhance the safety and security of citizens.
On the need for the Judiciary to work hand-in-hand with other arms, Obasa stated, “It is imperative for all arms of government, particularly the judiciary, to synergise in tackling the challenges posed by cybersecurity.
We must ensure that the legal framework adapts to the rapidly evolving technological landscape to safeguard the rights and interests of Lagosians.
The State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, underscored the importance of this collaboration. He emphasised that integration of technology into the legal system must go hand-in-hand with ethical considerations and effective governance.
Mr. Pedro echoed Dr Obasa’s call for a careful examination of the ethical implications surrounding the use of AI in the judiciary.
“The integration of AI into our justice system presents both opportunities and challenges. We must ensure that our ethical standards evolve in tandem with technological advancements,” Pedro remarked.
In a remark, former Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, LASU, Professor Lanre Fagbohun (SAN), urged attendees to embrace AI rather than reject or fear its emergence.
We must learn to be the masters of AI, using it to enhance our judicial processes rather than allowing it to dictate our actions,” Fagbohin stated.
The summit served as a platform for legal experts, policymakers, and members of the state’s judiciary to engage in discussions about the intersection of technology, law, and ethics, with the ultimate goal of fortifying the justice system in Lagos State as the new legal year begins.
Written by Olusegun Haastrup