Avoid AI Pitfalls, Bauchi NBA Cautions New Lawyers

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch, has issued a cautionary note to newly inducted lawyers, urging them to be wary of the overreliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their legal practice.

Speaking during an orientation program for new wigs in Bauchi on Monday, Chairman of the NBA Bauchi Branch, Rabiu Garba Esq, emphasized the importance of mastering traditional legal skills and critical reasoning. 

He warned that while AI tools may offer convenience, they cannot substitute the nuanced understanding and ethical judgment required in the legal profession.

“Even in advanced countries, there are ongoing debates and attempts to restrict AI’s influence in legal processes,” Garba noted, highlighting growing concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and the potential erosion of legal ethics.

AI is not reliable because most at times what you asked the ot to do is not what is applicable to the legal practice .

“So we discouraged our lawyers from relying solely on AI. The books are there. We have a a rich jurisprudence in Nigeria. They have all that it takes to develop their capacity without resorting to AI”

He encouraged young lawyers to embrace technology cautiously, stressing that AI should serve as a support tool, not a crutch.

The event, which drew participation from senior legal professionals and judiciary representatives, focused on capacity building, ethics, and career guidance for new entrants into the profession.

The NBA Chairman assured that the training for upcoming lawyers, the first of it’s kind in the branch, would be sustained.

“This is the first of its kind because  we deem it fit under our administration to organise a programme specifically to welcome our lawyers into the bar,” he stated.

“Specifically the new ones that were called to bar received  lectures lectures as to the rudiment of the legal practice as beginners and how they can sustain themselves.

“It is part of my manifesto that l intend to achieve in my tenure aimed at advancing capacity building. 

“We shall engage in it with consultation from our learner seniors and members of the bench.

“Under our administration  we will organise programmes that are aimed at capacity building and professional development and most especially to make our lawyers develop without relying on  AI”

Recounting his experience with AI while addressing.paeticipants, a  former Chairman of the branch, Barrister Lawal Hussein Ibrahim, said the technology almost put him in trouble.

“AI gave me wrong information but  fortunately after cross checking l discovered it and l was saved from.wmbrassment,” Ibrahim , who was  Chairman of the branch  from 2002 to 2003, said.

“AI can help you but be very careful. AI has started punishing legal practitioners for citing fake AI cases so be careful”

Presenting a paper entitled Capacity Building and Continuing Legal 
Education: A Sine Qua Non for Every 
Lawyer, Dr. Ibrahim Danjuma Esq, the immediate past Chairman of the banchi, commended his successor for organising  the training.

Danjuma opined that such trainings equip legal practitioners to 
remain competent, relevant, and ethical as the profession is marked by continuous change.

“The NBA Bauchi Branch should take the initiative to regularly organize 
Continuing Legal Education programmes for its members by ensuring that 
lawyers remain updated and competent in their practice,” he stated.

Also speaking,, Hon Justice Muhyiddeen, Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, urged upcoming lawyers to be serious with the job  in order to make money.

“Those who sponsored your education are waiting for you to go and pay back 
Don’t be a poor lawyer that will be wearing faded wigs and gowns,” he advised.

In a word of advice for the new lawyers,  Barrister Ibrahim Yakubu Umar, 
a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state,

 admonished upcoming lawyers to be humble, studious and choose a chamber where they can be properly mentored.
“What you need is a serious office to do tutelage,” Umar, who has spent over 40 years as a legal practitioner, advised.

“Always find yourself in he courtroom whether you have a case or not. The advantage is that you will have an opportunity to see lawyers in the act of advocacy'”