BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — The Edo State Judiciary is set to host a high-level fireside chat on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Edo State Judiciary, as judges, lawyers, state counsel and other stakeholders in the justice sector converge to examine the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies in the administration of justice.
The event, themed “Judging Better, Judging Smarter in the Digital Age: Advancing Judicial Excellence to Global Standards,” is scheduled to hold on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. prompt, at the Ceremonial Hall, New High Court Complex of the Edo Judiciary, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State.
The programme will bring together members of the Edo State Judiciary, State Counsel from the Edo State Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other professionals within the justice system.
Discussions at the fireside chat will focus on the growing use of AI by counsel and parties in legal proceedings and within the courts, as well as institutional concerns surrounding ethics, reliability, accountability and governance in the deployment of AI technologies.
The participants are also expected to examine how AI can improve access to justice, enhance judicial efficiency and contribute to the transformation of legal practice, while considering potential developments in the use of AI within the justice sector over the coming years.
A major highlight of the event will be a special presentation by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, on the unveiling of the Practice Direction on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Court Proceedings and Guidance for Judicial Officers on AI ahead of the upcoming new legal year.
The panel of speakers will include Hon. Justice Peter Akhimie Akhihiero, Hon. Justice Bright Eraze Oniha, Hon. Justice Ovenseri Aghamieghemen Otamere, Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, and Adesuwa Celestine Ogbeide, Esq.
The session will be moderated by Gladys Omage.
According to the organisers, the event is designed to provide legal professionals with deeper insights into the current and emerging issues surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence into the judiciary, while promoting informed discussions on responsible and effective adoption of digital technologies.
The event is being organised by the Edo State Judiciary under the theme of strengthening judicial excellence and preparing the justice system for the evolving demands of the digital age.
