The Nigerian
Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has disclosed that the delays associated with
cases filed in Nigerian courts have resulted to negative perception of the
Nigerian jurisdiction among international shipping interests.
This
is contained in a statement on Friday by the association’s Secretary, Barrister
Emeka Akabogu, when the association paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of the
Federal High Court, Honourable Justice A.A. Kafarati, noting that Nigeria is
losing Maritime cases to other jurisdictions.
Speaking on the
occasion, the Association’s President, Mr. Chidi Ilogu SAN, who was represented
by the 2nd Vice President Mr. Mike Igbokwe SAN, noted in the Association’s
presentation that delays occasioned by administrative and judicial
issues have had adverse effects on foreign direct investment in Nigeria
and taken admiralty disputes involving Nigerians and Nigerian entities to other
jurisdictions.
occasion, the Association’s President, Mr. Chidi Ilogu SAN, who was represented
by the 2nd Vice President Mr. Mike Igbokwe SAN, noted in the Association’s
presentation that delays occasioned by administrative and judicial
issues have had adverse effects on foreign direct investment in Nigeria
and taken admiralty disputes involving Nigerians and Nigerian entities to other
jurisdictions.
The Association called
for the creation of an Admiralty Registry by the Court, and offered to make the
expertise of its members available for the training of Judges in maritime law
to ensure proper guidance of Judges in the adjudication of highly technical
maritime issues.
for the creation of an Admiralty Registry by the Court, and offered to make the
expertise of its members available for the training of Judges in maritime law
to ensure proper guidance of Judges in the adjudication of highly technical
maritime issues.
The
association said: “many legal practitioners who have no specialized education,
knowledge and experience in maritime law end up handling weighty admiralty
issues and cases which they are unable to articulate effectively before the
court, with the high and often occurring risk of misleading the court. It
therefore speaks to the need to have the Judges specially and continually
trained on both substantive and procedural aspects of admiralty law.”
association said: “many legal practitioners who have no specialized education,
knowledge and experience in maritime law end up handling weighty admiralty
issues and cases which they are unable to articulate effectively before the
court, with the high and often occurring risk of misleading the court. It
therefore speaks to the need to have the Judges specially and continually
trained on both substantive and procedural aspects of admiralty law.”
It called for the
intervention of the Chief Judge to stem the negative trend occasioned by the
issues raised so as to protect the integrity of both the Bar and the Bench,
facilitate the efficient dispensation of justice and strengthen the confidence
that litigants have in the Nigerian admiralty jurisdiction.
intervention of the Chief Judge to stem the negative trend occasioned by the
issues raised so as to protect the integrity of both the Bar and the Bench,
facilitate the efficient dispensation of justice and strengthen the confidence
that litigants have in the Nigerian admiralty jurisdiction.
In
his response, the Chief Judge appreciated the Association for its continuing
solidarity with the Federal High Court, and promised to look into the issues
raised.
his response, the Chief Judge appreciated the Association for its continuing
solidarity with the Federal High Court, and promised to look into the issues
raised.
He expressed
concern about the issues raised by the lawyers, and acknowledged the need for
an Admiralty Registry for the Court. He said the court would look into the
possibility of having admiralty claims filed under seal, to prevent the
incidence of leakage of information relating to arrest applications.
concern about the issues raised by the lawyers, and acknowledged the need for
an Admiralty Registry for the Court. He said the court would look into the
possibility of having admiralty claims filed under seal, to prevent the
incidence of leakage of information relating to arrest applications.
The Chief Judge
promised to encourage increased collaboration between the Court and the
Association, and tasked the Association to equally explore the collaboration on
training of Judges with the National Judicial Institute.
promised to encourage increased collaboration between the Court and the
Association, and tasked the Association to equally explore the collaboration on
training of Judges with the National Judicial Institute.
Also
in that meeting were the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, Hon. Justice Evelyn
Maya and Hon. Justice Aneke, all of the Federal High Court. In addition, the
Honorary Secretary of the Association Mr. Emeka Akabogu, its patron Mr. Louis
Mbanefo SAN and other members of the association.
in that meeting were the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, Hon. Justice Evelyn
Maya and Hon. Justice Aneke, all of the Federal High Court. In addition, the
Honorary Secretary of the Association Mr. Emeka Akabogu, its patron Mr. Louis
Mbanefo SAN and other members of the association.
