By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has called on judicial officers across Nigeria to remain mindful of the vulnerabilities faced by women, children, and marginalized communities in the digital space.

NJI Administrator, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi, made the call during a workshop organized by Paradigm Initiative, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria. The event, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, focused on enhancing judicial capacity on digital rights and cyber governance.

Justice Abdullahi highlighted the complexities introduced by rapid technological advancements, stressing the need for a proactive and informed judiciary.

“Today, digital platforms have become central to communication, commerce, governance, and personal expression. But alongside their promise, we are confronted with new and pressing risks posed by online harassment, digital surveillance, misinformation, internet shutdowns, cyberbullying, identity theft, and massive data breaches,” he said.

He added that these challenges bring forward intricate legal questions that are now appearing more frequently in Nigerian courts, urging judges to adopt a “rights-based lens” when approaching such issues to ensure alignment with constitutional guarantees and international human rights norms.

Justice Abdullahi particularly emphasized the need to protect vulnerable groups, stating:

“We must also remain particularly mindful of the vulnerabilities faced by women, children, and marginalized communities in the digital space.”

Speaking on the theme of the workshop, “Upholding Justice in the Digital Age: Strengthening Judicial Capacity on Digital Rights and Cyber Governance,” the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, described the event as both timely and critical.

“In this landscape, the judiciary stands as the last line of defense for citizens navigating the digital frontier. This workshop is crucial as it equips judicial officers with the knowledge, tools, and adaptive skills needed to interpret laws in contexts unimagined just a decade ago,” Ojukwu said.

He further stressed the transformative impact of technology on lives, economies, and governance, noting that its rapid growth brings along challenges such as data privacy breaches, cybercrime, and digital surveillance.

Similarly, the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, remarked that upholding justice in the digital era requires the legal system to evolve and address the emerging challenges posed by technology.

The Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, also expressed confidence in the ability of resource persons at the workshop to address critical issues of digital rights in Nigeria.

The workshop is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s judicial response to digital rights violations and ensure that marginalized communities are protected in the fast-evolving digital landscape.