CHIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen has reiterated the need for judicial officers to be firm in their pronouncements.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 2018 annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

The chief justice assured that the judiciary would ensure that the country moves forward.

“According to him, judiciary officers must continue to be in charge of their courts. This is the only way respect will be given to the judicial system in Nigeria.”

The chief judge said arbitration was one of the set rules of court, adding that out-of-court settlement was the clause that provided for arbitration.

Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami said there no need to prolong issues in the courts, and stressed the need to settle matters through arbitration.

According to him, arbitrators are not out to suppress the power of the courts, but Nigeria procedural requirements are meant to be obeyed.

He added that more needed to be done to boost arbitration in the country, adding that Nigeria must be in the forefront of promoting the practice.

Malami express optimism that the challenges facing arbitration would be resolved by the conference participants.

President, CIArb UK Mr. James Bridgeman said Africa must look at the challenges facing arbitration.

According to him, relationship and transparency must be maintained, if the institute must move forward in Nigeria.

“Africa must look at their challenges, learn lessons from it and develop solution. The future of Africa is in the hand of individual,” he said.

Chairman, CIArb, Nigeria Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour said Nigeria

was committed to advocating use of alternative dispute resolution.

According to her, “we continue to play a pivotal role in advocating for the reform of the legal framework for arbitration in Nigeria with a view to having an up-to-date legal framework.

“We will work with our legislature and other stakeholders on the reform of Nigerian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, enacted in 1988,” she said.