The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has described a maritime law book as a timely intervention that will strengthen the judiciary and promote economic development, particularly in international trade.

The book, she said, showcases the author’s deep understanding of maritime law and serves as a valuable resource for judicial officers, legal practitioners, and stakeholders involved in international trade and carriage of goods by sea.

Kekere-Ekun made this remark at the Maritime law book launch titled “International Trade and Carriage of Goods by Sea: Text, Cases and Materials,” authored by a Maritime law expert, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro.

Apart from the CJN, the book launch drew several dignitaries, including Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, among others. Kekere-Ekun said: “The book will strengthen the quality of judicial decisions and enhance legal education in this essential sector.

“It simplifies complex concepts through case studies, diagrams, and statutory references, guiding our courts to adopt a more uniform approach and boosting the confidence of our legal practitioners to arbitrate and negotiate globally.”

She added that the text commands respect for legal precedents while drawing from judgments in other jurisdictions, positioning it as an essential tool for global negotiation and arbitration.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the importance of maritime law in global trade, noting that over 90 per cent of international trade is conducted via sea routes.

The governor, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, stated that maritime law has transitioned from a niche legal specialisation into a vital component of national competitiveness.

According to him, Lagos State is responsible for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s import and export traffic as it is actively transforming into a global maritime hub, citing ongoing projects like the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the redevelopment of Tin Can Island Port.

He described Usoro’s 576-page, nine-chapter book as a timely addition to legal literature, stressing that while ports and trade corridors are physical infrastructure, their legitimacy and effectiveness depend on the legal frameworks that support them.

Culled Guardian