New Telecommunications Law: NCC Chief Maida, CJ Kekere-Ekun Leads Judiciary Workshop

The nonprofit 2024 National Judiciary Workshop in Telecommunications for judicial officers starts at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos on Monday. Sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with National Judicial Institute (NJI), the workshop centered on; The role of the judiciary in driving the Nigerian digital economy.

Judiciary Workshop

Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CJN & Chancellor, NJC implored the directors to ensure that information on new development in telecommunications such as; cybersecurity, data privacy and challenges in digital banking are availed to our judges and justices for their effective discharge of their duties.

“As the world goes technology-wise, those of us in the judiciary have it in mind that increased technology equals to legal challenges,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said. Consumer protection was the paramount need for more robust measures against unscrupulous use of data and weaknesses in digital banking, as such issues usually escalate into legal battles of solvable disputes.

Justice Kekere-Ekun commended the NCC on the measures it has taken in the area of consumer protection and expressed the judiciary’s willingness to enhance certainty in telecommunications law, clarity and effectiveness in the process of dispute resolution. She assured everyone that this particular workshop would equip judicial officers with technical skills as would enable them in being abreast with best practices in the international market.

NCC’s Role in Safeguarding Telecommunications Infrastructure

During his welcome address, Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC described the role of the Commission in relation to the Nigeria’s digital economy. He underlined the judiciary support for protection of telecommunications infrastructure, which has been declared as Critical National Information Infrastructure under Presidential Order 2024. It also adds to the legal backup to combat vandalism and other perils that affect telecom physical infrastructure.

“The judiciary’s roles in enforcing the provisions of the Presidential Order to keep Nigeria connected and drive its digitalization process are indispensable” Dr. Maida stressed. He also touched on the abilities of the judiciary in dealing with legal issues of digital rights, penalties for contract breaches and promoting the legal framework of innovation within the digital environment.

Strategic Forum for Legal Capacity Building

During the workshop, legal professionals will discuss telecoms legislation, cybersecurity and the judiciary in the age of digital disruption. Justice Kekere-Ekun attributed the development of the curriculum for the event to the Chairman of NJI Education Committee Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC and the Administrator of the NJI Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi.

Dr. Maida rounded off by appreciating the NJI for creating the platform for judicial exchange and learning to further the NCC’s mission towards the development of Nigeria’s digital landscape.

It is hoped that this workshop will go a long way in Projecting telecoms jurisprudence in Nigeria with knowledgeable judges capable of dealing with the growing issues in the contemporary world of advanced telecommunication.