The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has stressed the need for judicial officers to be conversant with relevant laws guiding the financial sector, both within and outside the country.
Justice Ariwoola, who spoke while declaring open at a three-day workshop on the asset forfeiture regime under the Nigerian Law, noted the crucial roles the judiciary plays in the development and growth of any nation, including the political and economic environment.
The workshop which held in Abuja was organised by the Attorney General Alliance – Africa Programme in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute.
Stressing that there was a correlation between an efficient judiciary, stable economy and international financial systems, the CJN stated that judges could only contribute their quota, when they were up to date with relevant laws.
Justice Ariwoola said, “The judiciary is a key player in society, therefore, it is pertinent for you as judicial officers to be up to date with relevant laws regulating the capital market to have an objective view of the capital market at all times. In this light, the effective use of relevant and most importantly, current laws for guidance in adjudicating capital market cases, contributes to the potency of your decisions as judicial officers.’’
He added that going forward recent legislations such as the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act MLPPA, 2022, as well as the Proceeds of Crime Act POCA, 2022, amongst others, would enhance the capacity of judicial officers in handling asset forfeiture and capital market cases.
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