Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has called on legal practitioners across Nigeria to embrace technological innovation, pursue continuous professional development and adapt to the changing demands of modern legal practice.
Governor Otti made the call on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
The Governor, who described technological advancement as an unavoidable reality shaping different sectors of society, urged lawyers to prepare for emerging developments rather than approach them with fear or resistance.
He emphasised that legal professionals must remain informed, acquire relevant digital skills and develop the capacity to operate effectively within an increasingly technology-driven legal environment.
Speaking during the conference, Governor Otti disclosed that his administration would soon commission 10 newly constructed and technologically equipped court halls across Abia State as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the state’s judicial infrastructure and improve justice delivery.
According to him, the facilities have been designed with modern amenities, including renewable energy systems, digital court infrastructure, broadband internet connectivity and electronic court records.
He explained that the digitalisation of court records would significantly reduce dependence on physical files, making judicial processes more accessible, efficient and convenient for judges and legal practitioners.
The Governor further revealed that all 10 court halls had been equipped with Wi-Fi and multiple broadband connections to ensure uninterrupted digital operations, even when one network experiences challenges.
He challenged legal practitioners to match the pace of technological development by familiarising themselves with the modern facilities being introduced into the state’s judicial system.
Governor Otti also announced plans to flag off the construction of new court complexes featuring 1,000-capacity auditoriums in Aba and Umuahia. He assured that the proposed facilities would operate with independent renewable energy sources to guarantee reliable power supply.
Otti Calls for Greater Commitment to Pro Bono Legal Services
Beyond technological advancement and infrastructure development, Governor Otti urged lawyers to demonstrate a stronger commitment to public service by extending legal assistance to indigent citizens, vulnerable individuals and people who cannot afford professional legal representation.
He maintained that the success of the NBA-SPIDEL conference should not be determined solely by the quality of presentations and professional discussions but by the practical impact of its resolutions on ordinary Nigerians.
The Governor challenged members of the legal profession to consider how they could use their knowledge and professional influence to protect citizens whose financial circumstances prevent them from accessing justice.
He noted that while roads, schools, hospitals, electric buses and environmental improvements represent visible indicators of government performance, the protection of fundamental human rights, access to justice and respect for the rule of law remain equally important pillars of sustainable development.
To illustrate the importance of public-interest legal practice, Governor Otti recalled instances of prolonged detention involving individuals who allegedly had no sufficient legal justification to remain in correctional facilities.
He disclosed that shortly after assuming office, his administration discovered cases of individuals being held in detention despite circumstances that warranted a review of their continued incarceration.
Consequently, he directed the State Attorney-General to collaborate with the Chief Judge to ensure that no individual remained in a correctional facility without lawful justification.
The Governor also recounted his intervention in the case of a young female content creator who was reportedly remanded by a Magistrate Court until February 2027 over issues connected to online content.
He explained that after receiving information about the matter, he instructed the Attorney-General to take appropriate legal steps towards securing her release while also engaging individuals who felt offended by her actions.
Similarly, Governor Otti disclosed that he had requested the Attorney-General to intervene in the case of another young Abia woman detained in Lagos over allegations relating to cyberbullying. He said he was subsequently informed that she had been granted bail.
According to the Governor, these interventions underscore the importance of public-interest law and the responsibility of legal practitioners to ensure that justice is not determined by an individual’s financial capacity.
Osinbajo Challenges Lawyers to Become Agents of Social Transformation
Earlier, the keynote speaker and former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged legal practitioners to expand their professional responsibilities beyond conventional legal interpretation and courtroom representation.
Prof. Osinbajo described lawyers as potential social engineers and agents of positive transformation who must contribute meaningfully to strengthening democracy, promoting justice and advancing national development.
He advocated people-centred public-interest legal practice that prioritises citizens’ welfare, access to justice, employment opportunities, healthcare, education and the protection of vulnerable groups.
The former Vice President stressed that the true value of democracy should be assessed by its ability to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens rather than merely through elections, government policies and political institutions.
He identified poverty, corruption, unemployment and declining public confidence in democratic institutions as significant challenges threatening democratic development.
Prof. Osinbajo further encouraged lawyers to invest in continuous learning and acquire additional competencies in technology, negotiation, conflict resolution, institutional management and critical thinking.
He also cautioned legal practitioners on the importance of properly verifying information generated through artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that technological tools should complement, rather than replace, professional judgment and responsibility.
NBA President Emphasises Justice, Accountability and Citizens’ Welfare
In her opening remarks, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, called on lawyers to uphold justice, accountability and public interest in the discharge of their professional duties.
She disclosed that the theme of the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference was “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy, and Development.”
The NBA President explained that the real meaning of public interest must be reflected in how decisions, policies and legal institutions affect ordinary citizens, particularly vulnerable individuals who often struggle to access justice.
She highlighted the plight of people detained without legal representation, traders unable to afford litigation and children treated as adults in detention facilities as issues that should remain central to conversations about justice and development.
According to her, justice must provide effective remedies for individuals who suffer injustice, democracy must guarantee meaningful participation in decisions affecting citizens, while development should create opportunities and improve living conditions.
Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya also condemned political violence across the country, calling for credible investigations and the prosecution of individuals responsible for attacks on citizens participating in lawful political activities.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Otti and the Abia State Government for sponsoring the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference.
Abia Targets 70 Electric Buses Before End of 2026
Governor Otti also used the occasion to highlight developments in the state’s transportation and electricity sectors, disclosing that Abia currently has 40 electric buses, with an additional 30 already loaded for delivery to the state.
He expressed optimism that the state would have a total of 70 electric buses operating across its communities before the end of 2026.
The Governor attributed the initiative to improvements in electricity stability and his administration’s efforts to establish an independent power supply system outside the national electricity grid.
He noted that reliable electricity remains essential to supporting modern transportation systems and other technology-driven public infrastructure.
Governor Otti equally commended the NBA-SPIDEL leadership for selecting Abia State as the host destination for the annual conference, describing the event as an important opportunity to welcome legal professionals and other stakeholders to Umuahia.
The conference featured an interactive panel session led by Justice Obisike Orji, with prominent personalities, including Professor Pat Utomi and Dr. Sam Amadi, participating in discussions.
The Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL Conference, Professor Uju Agomuo, Chief Okey Amaechi and other dignitaries also participated in the presentation of plaques in recognition of individuals who contributed to the success of the event.
Several top government officials and other distinguished personalities attended the gathering.
The conference reinforced the importance of technological innovation, professional responsibility, access to justice and the protection of fundamental human rights as essential elements of a progressive society.
Governor Otti’s proposed commissioning of 10 digital court halls, alongside plans for additional modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia, represents a significant step in Abia State’s ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial infrastructure and promote more efficient justice delivery.
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Source: Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State. November 10, 2026.
