Judges in the country have been charged to expedite hearing of cases pending before their courts, maintaining that speedy resolution of disputes would assure investors and other major players in the oil and gas industry that their investments are safe.
Onnoghen spoke Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a workshop on Nigerian Local Content Development and Monitoring (Law & Policy) for Justices and Judges, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, NJI.
The CJN noted that recent innovations in the oil and gas sector introduced new legal regimes, making it necessary for judges to be brought up to date with emerging developments and trends in jurisprudence within the sector.
He also enjoined judges to always encourage litigants to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution methods, such as Arbitration and Mediation.
According to him, “The workshop is organised with the objective of keeping our Justices and Judges abreast with the role of the judiciary in ensuring mastery of the dealings in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria
“Indeed, the adjudicatory duty of a Judge can only be performed optimally when he remains up to date with the emerging developments and trends in jurisprudence pertaining to the oil and gas sector.
“This workshop seeks to highlight matters that are germane and critical to the ongoing reforms being experienced in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“The recent innovations in the oil and gas industry have inevitably introduced new legal regimes that will impact on the quality of justice delivery. I believe that this forum will be extremely beneficial to you in the performance of your duties and by extension the society at large.
“It is our responsibility as judicial officers to sustain the public confidence reposed in the judiciary. Hence, you must be seen to be knowledgeable in the law and be in charge of your courts to ensure speedy resolution of disputes which in turn serves to assure investors and other major players in the oil and gas industry that their investments are safe.
“It is on record, My Lords that the timely interventions of the court at critical points in this country have certainly contributed in no small measure to the peace and stability of the country today.
“I make bold to say, without any fear of contradiction, that the Nigerian judiciary is a key partner in ensuring stability in the oil and gas sector by interpretation of the relevant laws to the industry.
“In this regard, I must not fail to emphasize that you must have recourse to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 when adjudicating over disputes related to Oil and Gas Servicing and Exploration Contracts as the clauses contained in such agreements must respect the stipulation of the Act with regard to deployment of local expertise and manpower in the downstream sector. “
In her remarks, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, said the workshop was aimed at exposing judicial officers to legal and technical aspects of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
On his part, Engr. Simbi Wobote, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, solicited the support of the judiciary to achieve the board’s drive to create wealth for local businesses.
