ADMIRALTY JUSTICE: ACTING CJN TASKS NJI ON DEEP COLLABORATION WITH SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman board of governors of National Judicial Institute (NJI) Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has charged the NJI to deepen its collaboration with Nigerian Shippers’ Council to strengthen the course of justice in all maritime issues. Delivering his keynote address today at the opening ceremony of the 16th international maritime seminar for judges holding in Abuja, he stated that the collaboration has been important in creation of awareness for judicial officers and enablement of indepth discussion on key maritime issues. He pointed out that a strengthened collaboration between NJI and the shippers’ council will result to a more effective and speedy adjudication of maritime disputes and issues before the courts. Speaking on the benefits of the maritime seminar, he stressed that the continuous training collaboration by the NJI and shippers’ council is a critical element of the national policy on justice that guarantees the independence of the judiciary irrespective of its aspect. The Acting CJN stated that it is gratifying that the maritime seminar has attained international recognition with participation of judges from notable African countries and other parts of the world. In his words, “the seminar is designed among other things to acquaint participants with emerging trends in the sphere of admiralty law and challenges that digitalization and globalization may throw up on the adjudication of admiralty matters, judges who have participated in the seminar in the past have become better equipped with knowledge of rudimentary laws necessary in handling complex maritime cases.” He challenged the participants to make the most use of the deliberations of the seminar billed to last for three days.
