Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged judicial officers in the country to brace up for adjudication on matters that will arise from the Petroleum Industry Act.
Justice Ariwoola gave the charge on Thursday at a workshop for Judges on the Petroleum Industry Act and it’s Implication for Adjudication, organised by the National Judicial Institute in collaboration with the INVESTIN 234.
The CJN commended the team at INVESTIN 234 for engaging and working tirelessly to ensure an effective collaboration with the National Judicial Institute on this far-reaching subject.
He said he was aware that some of the reforms under the PIA, include the establishment of new regulatory and governance structures in the upstream, midstream and down streams, with each of these streams having its own regulatory authority, hence the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority; the Nigerian Down Stream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
“There is every likelihood that now or in the future, the courts may frequently be called upon to make decisions or make a judicial review concerning how each of these new institutions have carried out their functions.
“The further implication of the role of the judges in all these will be underscored by the emphasis on transparency and accountability required under the Act from these institutions in the administration and use of resources derived from petroleum exploration, petroleum mining, sales, custom duties and taxes and many more to be envisaged.
“By the time all these are understood, the judges will begin to adjudicate from the vantage position of institutional knowledge and specialization, it would lead to further systematic build-up of a body of legally knowledgeable persons and from strong judicial precedents on the subject will emanate, the CJN said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the NJI Administrator, Justice Salisu Abdullahi welcomed participants to the workshop on the “Role of the Judiciary in Consolidating the Best Practices and Gains Under the Petroleum Industry Act and Its Implications” for adjudication.
The NJI Administrator stated that the
workshop was aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of judges in interpreting and applying the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and other relevant laws.
“Considering that the Petroleum Industry Act has significantly transformed the legal landscape of the oil and gas sector by introducing new regulatory institutions, fiscal frameworks and environmental standards, it means that the role of the judges in interpreting and applying the Petroleum Industry Act is crucial to ensuring that the industry operates in a legal and sustainable manner.
“Practitioners in this sector would agree based on their experiences that the oil and gas sector is one that is accompanied by complexities of challenges and opportunities and these among many legal issues are highlights of the issues that the judiciary may encounter in its interaction with the sector in the course of the judicial function.
“Our goal at this workshop is therefore to equip the judges with the necessary tools and insights to adjudicate oil and gas cases effectively and balancing the interests of stakeholders, promoting the rule of law in the industry and contributing to the growth and development of the sector” Justice Abdullahi said.
The NJI Administrator expressed optimism that participants will explore key provisions, regulatory frameworks and emerging issues in the sector and engage in active interactions and discussions on the legal implications of the Petroleum Industry Act on contracts, licenses, environmental and social impact, dispute resolution and revenue management to be led by renown experts in the field.
He commended the courage of the team at IVESTIN 234 led by Engineer Frank Ene and Mr. Kanayo Chuks Okoye for their unwavering efforts and for tirelessly working round the clock with the team at the National Judicial Institute to provide the necessary logistics for the success of this workshop.
