17th Seminar for Judges: CJN, Ariwoola calls on judges to appraise themselves on SPOMO Act
17th Seminar for Judges: CJN, Ariwoola calls on judges to appraise themselves on SPOMO Act
Segun Oladipupo
The Chief Justice of Nigeria ad Chairman, Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute, Honourable, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has called on Judges to continue to appraise themselves with the recent innovations of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019,
According to him, the SPOMO Act establishes a legal framework for the prosecution of piracy and protection of maritime infrastructure.
He made the call in his keynote address at the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola added that the annual seminar had influenced far reaching policy decisions of the government in the shipping and transport industry and has led to the domestication of important maritime conventions like the Hamburg Rules as well as the enactment of important legislations like the Merchant Shipping Act;
According to him, the knowledge gained from the seminar, has contributed to the speedy adjudication of maritime disputes coming before the Judges of the Federal High Court which is the court of first instance for admiralty matters.
He lauded the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah and his management team for their unwavering commitment in the discharge of their Statutory obligations which according to him, includes, protection of cargo interests of Nigerians through series of advocacy and enlightenment programs from time to time, such as this forum.
“My Lords, without pre-empting what the array of speakers lined up for this Seminar will discuss, let me reiterate that Maritime law in Nigeria, being a specialized area of the law, has witnessed novel developments.
“However, taking into consideration the importance of the blue economy and the maritime industry, being the cornerstone of transportation in International Commerce, it becomes imperative that Seminars of this nature are organized to bring to the front-burner challenges which may impede development of the industry.
“Furthermore, in order to put participants on a stronger footing, Judges at this forum would benefit and gain insight from presentations on topics such as- Shipping in the Age of Innovation and Climate Change: The Role of Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vessels and De-carbonization; ADR as an effective Tool in the Resolution of Maritime Disputes: Current Developments and Matters Arising; Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules 2023 and Matters Arising among several others.
“With regard to the issue of Security of the Maritime space, I encourage Judges at this forum to continue to apprise themselves with the recent innovations of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019, as it establishes a legal framework for the prosecution of piracy and protection of maritime infrastructure.
“I am aware that this Seminar has contributed immensely in influencing far reaching policy decisions of the government in the shipping and transport industry and has led to the domestication of important maritime conventions like the Hamburg Rules as well as the enactment of important legislations like the Merchant Shipping Act; aside, of course, from contributing to the speedy adjudication of maritime disputes coming before the Judges of the Federal High Court which is the court of first instance for admiralty matters.
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