The opportunities and challenges surrounding the adoption of technology in Nigeria’s justice system took centre stage at the second plenary session of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Law Week 2026, as judges and senior legal practitioners examined the impact of e-filing and virtual hearings on the administration of justice. The session, themed “Enhancing Justice Delivery Through E-Filing and Virtual Hearings – Opportunities, Challenges, and Implementation,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss the progress made in digital justice delivery while highlighting areas requiring urgent improvement.
Chaired by Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of Borno State, the session featured insightful contributions from Hon. Justice Rahman Oshodi, Hon. Justice Olayinka Faji, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, and Mrs. Olusola Adegbonmire. The discussions reflected a consensus that technology has become an indispensable component of modern justice delivery, even as participants acknowledged the practical difficulties associated with its implementation.
Speaking during the session, Hon. Justice Olayinka Faji strongly advocated for the continued adoption of technology in judicial processes, describing e-filing as an accountable and transparent system that has significantly reduced unnecessary human interference. According to him, the introduction of electronic filing has eliminated many of the traditional gatekeepers within the filing process, ensuring greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in court administration. He noted that technology remains essential to building a more responsive and accessible justice system.
Hon. Justice Rahman Oshodi also highlighted the positive impact of the Lagos State Judiciary’s e-filing platform, explaining that the system has greatly simplified the transmission of court processes and improved the speed with which cases are managed. He observed that electronic filing has enhanced workflow within the courts, reduced delays associated with manual filing, and made legal processes more convenient for practitioners and litigants. While acknowledging that continuous improvements are necessary, he maintained that the digital system has delivered significant benefits to justice administration in Lagos State.
Offering a contrasting perspective, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, argued that although the vision behind e-filing is commendable, the system has yet to fully achieve its intended objectives. He observed that one of the major promises of digital filing was to enable legal practitioners to conveniently file court processes from the comfort of their offices. However, recurring technological challenges, system inefficiencies and operational difficulties have limited the realization of that objective. He urged relevant authorities to address these shortcomings to ensure that technology truly delivers the efficiency it was designed to provide.
Mrs. Olusola Adegbonmire equally underscored the importance of embracing technology in the justice sector while offering a balanced assessment of its implementation. She acknowledged that e-filing has introduced greater efficiency and convenience into judicial processes but cautioned that several challenges continue to affect its effectiveness. According to her, addressing issues relating to technology infrastructure, user experience and system reliability will be crucial to maximizing the benefits of digital justice delivery.
Throughout the session, panelists agreed that while e-filing and virtual hearings have fundamentally changed the way justice is administered, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, stakeholder training and continuous system improvements will be necessary to unlock their full potential.
The plenary formed part of the NBA Lagos Law Week 2026 programme, themed “Lawyering in the Digital Age,” reinforcing the Branch’s commitment to promoting conversations around innovation, technology and the future of legal practice. The session concluded with a shared call for collaboration between the judiciary, the Bar and technology providers to build a more efficient, transparent and accessible justice system for all.