The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Judges from across Nigeria have converged in Abuja to brainstorm on legal and regulatory issues in the telecommunications industry.
Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, while welcoming the judges to the 2021 Annual Workshop for Judges said that the event would equip the Judges with practical insights into emerging issues in the field of telecommunications.
“The aim of this forum is to further build the capacity of our distinguished Judges with practical insights into emerging issues in the field of telecommunications”, he said.
He also said the objective of the forum was to enhance the capacity of the judiciary to dispense justice in telecommunications cases from an informed position oriented in appropriate and contemporary knowledge.
The issue of ownership of online content and materials, digital presence and online identity were among the numerous legal issues deliberated upon at the workshop.
Prof. Danbatta also expressed hope that the workshop would contribute to the development of telecommunications law in Nigeria.
He therefore urged the Judges to freely make contributions and raise issues that would assist the Commission come up with adequate regulatory measures that would enhance development in the Communications sector of the economy.
Declaring the Workshop open, Hon. Justice Dr. Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad assured the forum that the Nigerian Judiciary was committed to the development of the telecommunications sector and would spare no effort in ensuring transparent and speedy dispensation of justice.
The CJN expressed confidence that the forum would further equip Judicial Officers with the legal and technical skills required for adjudicating disputes in this special area of the law, and in so doing, keep them abreast with global best practices.
“This workshop essentially avails the participants an opportunity to rub minds on current challenges confronting the telecom sector. I have no doubt that this forum will further equip Judicial Officers with the legal and technical skills required for adjudicating disputes in this special area of the law, and in so doing, keep them abreast with global best practices. I must commend the Nigerian Communications Commission for rising up to the occasion in its bid to protect consumers from unfair practices by service providers”. The CJN said.
He also noted that the Judiciary will not rest on its oars, as it will continue to interpret the relevant laws in line with extant provisions of the Law.
“Let me assure you that the Nigerian Judiciary is committed to the development of the telecommunications sector and will spare no effort in ensuring transparent and speedy dispensation of justice. In this light, investors and stakeholders in the sector will be assured that their assets and investments are secured”, he said.
Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Bozimo said that the Workshop, over the years, has exposed Judicial Officers to the rudiments of legal issues and technical aspects of the sector in order to keep them abreast of International Best Practices.
She said, the workshop will deliberate on such issues as:
i Developing Telecommunications Law. Jurisprudence and Judicial Precedents;
ii. An X-ray of the Nigeria Communications Act 2003;
iii. Adjudicating Conflicts in the Era of Digital Presence and Online Identity;
iv. Liability and Attribution of Ownership of Online Content and Materials;
v. Cyber Security and Safe Use of the Internet in Nigeria;
vi. Social Media Platforms as Channel
Recall, the Workshop, organised annually by NCC, was conceptualized long ago and has been held for eighteen consecutive years to bring the judiciary up to speed with emerging issues in telecommunications.
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