Maritime Law Association constitutes Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee
LB Editor
Following the steady decline of admiralty law and practice over the years, as a result of sub-optimal procedural rules and poor judicial interpretation of substantive law, the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) is leading efforts towards the reform of key procedural rules and substantive law in the sector.
In a statement signed by the president of the association, Chidi Ilogu, SAN and honorary secretary, Emeka Akabogu, the association announced the constitution of the Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee to contribute to this effort.
In its statement, the committee observed that judicial decisions have not been consistent with standard global expectations while speed, which is at the heart of functional admiralty litigation, has taken a backseat. “In the result, a number of significant maritime interests are no longer keen on having Nigeria as a jurisdiction for adjudication of their disputes,” it read in part.
Charged with the responsibility of boosting industry confidence in dispute resolution and efficiency for admiralty law and practice in Nigeria, the new committee is expected to propose initiatives and implementation strategies for repositioning admiralty law practice with particular focus on achieving speed in filing, assignment, hearing and determination of admiralty matters.
The committee’s terms of reference also includes the implementation of a modern fit-for purpose Admiralty Registry; review of procedural rules, in particular - Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules and the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules; reform of substantive law, in particular – the 1999 Constitution Admiralty Jurisdiction Act, and the Federal High Court Act.
Among the members of the committee are, Jean ChiazorAnishere ( Co- Chair), Osuala
Nwagbara (Co-chair), Omolola Ikwuagwu, Nelson Otaji, Chisa Uba, Babatunde Ogungbamila, Adolphus Nwachukwu and Adedoyin Afun, Dr. Echefu Ukattah, Nonso Azih, Olukayode Dada and Kashimana Tsumba.
With an Advisory team that includes Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, Dolapo Akinrele, SAN, Dr. Wale Olawoyin, SAN and Olumide Sofowora, SAN, the committee is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report by the 25th of May 2020.