Anchor Nigeria’s Digital Future On Fairness, Rule Of Law–NHRC

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Fri, 2025

Judiciary

Anchor Nigeria’s digital future on fairness, rule of law–NHRC

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By Isaiah Eka

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the judiciary to ensure that Nigeria’s digital future is anchored on fairness, accountability and the rule of law.

The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Dr Anthony Ojukwu, said this in his welcome remarks in Ikot Ekpene during a workshop for judges and judicial officers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is: Upholding Justice in The Digital Age: Strengthening Judicial Capacity on Digital Rights and Cyber Governance.”

Ojukwu said the workshop, organised jointly by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Paradigm Initiative and the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, meant to build the capacity of judges on digital rights and cyber governance.

He said that technology was reshaping lives, economies, and governance and urged the judiciary not to be left behind.

“This workshop, therefore, is both timely and critical. As custodians of justice, judicial officers must be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and adaptive skills to interpret laws in contexts unimagined just a decade ago.

“We live in a time where technology is reshaping lives, economies, and governance at a breakneck speed.

“Yet, with its boundless opportunities come profound challenges exemplified by data privacy breaches, cybercrime, digital surveillance, and the spread of misinformation which threaten the very rights we are all sworn to protect.

“In this landscape, the judiciary stands as the last line of defence for citizens navigating the digital frontier,” Ojukwu said.

In his address, the Administrator of NJI, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, said that digital platforms were central to communication, commerce, governance, and personal expression.

Abdullahi said the judiciary was confronted with risks posed by online harassment, digital surveillance, misinformation, internet shutdowns, cyber-bullying, identity theft, and data breaches.

He said NJI, in line with its statutory mandate, would continue to provide judicial education to enhance competence in both traditional and emerging areas of the law.

He said the theme was apt as it would compel the judges to deliver justice in ways that remained true to constitutional principles, yet responsive to the realities of an increasingly digital society.

“Ultimately, this workshop seeks to illuminate some of the foregoing issues by exploring the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the need for regulation, the boundaries of digital privacy.

“It will explore the imperatives of cyber governance and the mechanisms for safeguarding data in a manner that preserves individual dignity and public trust.

“It presents us with an invaluable opportunity to exchange perspectives, interrogate assumptions, and collectively sharpen our capacity to respond to the demands of this digital era.

“My Lords, it is no longer sufficient to regard digital rights as abstract or futuristic,” he said.

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaette Obot, said the workshop would equip judicial officers with the skills to navigate online while upholding public safety.

Obot, represented by Justice Archibong Archibong, urged the judiciary to embrace digital frontiers with courage, wisdom and steadfast commitment to fairness.

She also said the workshop would afford the judicial officers and resource persons the opportunity to share insights and ideas on cyber security.

Mr Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, an NGO focused on digital rights advocacy and facilitators of the workshop, said that digital technology had come to stay.

Sesan urged judges and judicial officers to, as the custodians of the law and the last hope of the common man, embrace new technologies in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

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