The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has advised newly inducted lawyers to tread carefully in their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within legal practice, warning that overdependence on such technology could undermine professional standards and ethical obligations.
The caution was issued by the NBA Chairperson in Bauchi State, Rabiu Garba, during an orientation programme held Tuesday in Bauchi for newly called-to-bar lawyers. The event was organized to equip young legal practitioners with the foundational principles of the legal profession and promote continuous professional development.
Garba acknowledged the growing presence of AI in legal research and practice but stressed that it should not replace the critical thinking and deep legal reasoning expected of a competent lawyer.
“While AI offers convenience, it cannot replace the nuanced analysis and reasoning that underpin our legal system. We encourage young lawyers to rely more on our rich jurisprudence and legal resources,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the NBA would continue to organize similar capacity-building programmes to support the growth and competence of its members, particularly those at the start of their careers.
Reinforcing the caution, Lawal Hussein, a former chairperson of the NBA Bauchi branch, shared a personal experience where AI-generated content nearly led to professional embarrassment.
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“AI can help, but be careful. Some lawyers have been punished for citing fake AI-generated cases,” he warned.
Ibrahim Danjuma, another speaker at the event, highlighted the importance of continuous legal education, urging new lawyers to remain updated and informed in a fast-evolving profession.
Justice Muhyiddeen of the Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal and former Bauchi State Attorney General, Ibrahim Umar, also addressed the participants, encouraging them to take their legal careers seriously, remain humble, and seek quality mentorship from experienced practitioners.
The orientation programme marks part of the NBA’s broader efforts to uphold the integrity of the legal profession while preparing new entrants for the practical demands of legal practice in the digital age.