Justice Adejumo: Training Judges on Electricity Law is Timely and Essential
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Chairman of the Board of Governors, Hon Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun GCON has said that the profound transformation in the Nigerian electricity sector, driven by legislative reforms, policy innovations, increased private sector participation, and the progressive decentralisation of regulatory authority to State-level institutions have significantly expanded the complexity of legal questions brought before the Courts, making judicial familiarity with sector-specific regulations and practices not merely desirable, but indispensable.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria made the statement at the 6th seminar for Judges organized by the National Judicial Institute in collaboration with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, held at the Institute Auditorium, Abuja, FCT.
The CJN, Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that the Judiciary bears a critical responsibility to interpret statutes, review regulatory decisions, and resolve disputes in a manner that promotes legal certainty, economic efficiency, and public confidence in the justice system.
In his opening remarks, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon Justice Babatunde Adejumo OFR Rtd, described the seminar as timely and necessary to equip judges with the knowledge required to deliver informed, consistent, and principled decisions in electricity-related disputes and a reflection of the Institute’s enduring commitment to strengthening judicial capacity in specialized and evolving areas of law.
Justice Adejumo underscored the central role of the electricity sector in Nigeria’s economic and social development and noted that recent reforms, particularly the Electricity Act 2023, have introduced complex legal and jurisdictional issues that now feature prominently before the courts.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Musiliu Oseni, explained that the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian electricity market drove the gathering of judges. Dr Oseni highlighted the far-reaching regulatory reforms, decentralization of oversight, and increasing private and sub-national participation in the sector. Dr Oseni emphasized that judges play a pivotal role in interpreting the Electricity Act 2023, reviewing regulatory actions, resolving disputes, and ensuring that regulatory powers are exercised within the bounds of legality, transparency, and accountability. According to him, the seminar was convened to deepen judicial understanding of sector-specific regulations, administrative law principles, and the emerging legal challenges shaping electricity sector governance.
Goodwill messages to encourage active participation by judges were delivered by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnya Abaribe, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon Victor Onyamaechi Nwokolo, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, and the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A Adelabu FCA FCIR OFR, who also delivered the keynote address. The speakers collectively stressed the importance of judicial clarity and consistency in supporting regulatory certainty, investor confidence, and sustainable growth in the electricity sector.
The programme was formally declared open by the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere Ekun GCON. Her Lordship commended the Chairman of the Board Committee on Judicial Education, Hon Justice Inyang Okoro, as well as the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, for their unwavering support and dedication to judicial education. She reinforced the need for full participation by judges and emphasized the role of the Judiciary in shaping sound jurisprudence capable of addressing the legal and socio-economic implications of Nigeria’s evolving electricity market.
The opening ceremony concluded with a group photograph session, symbolizing the official commencement of the seminar and affirming a shared commitment to deeper engagement with issues affecting the Nigerian electricity market in transition, with particular focus on law, regulation, and the courts.
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