The Nigerian Bar Association has identified poor judicial welfare, decaying infrastructure, and unregulated artificial intelligence as serious threats to the justice system in Bauchi State.
The NBA made this warning as it assessed the state of the courts and the conditions under which judges, lawyers, and court staff work across the state. The association found that judges and judicial officers lack adequate welfare packages, a situation that undermines their independence and makes them vulnerable to external pressure.
Infrastructure decay presents another major problem. Court buildings in many locations are in poor condition, with inadequate facilities for legal proceedings. This affects the efficiency of cases and denies citizens access to justice in dignified settings. Courtrooms lack basic amenities, and record management systems remain largely manual, slowing down case processing.
The NBA also raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal processes without proper regulation or oversight. The association warned that AI tools are being deployed in legal research, document review, and even case prediction without clear guidelines on accuracy, bias, or accountability. This poses risks to the integrity of legal proceedings and the rights of litigants.
The bar association called on the Bauchi State government and the National Judicial Council to urgently address these issues. It recommended immediate investment in judicial infrastructure, review of judicial welfare schemes, and the establishment of a regulatory framework for AI use in legal practice. The NBA also urged stakeholders to ensure that technology enhances rather than compromises the rule of law.
The association plans to engage with the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission and relevant government agencies to develop an action plan addressing these threats within the next three months.
