NIMASA lists accomplishments of maritime law, goes for amendment
By Eyo Nsima
THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has noted that signing into law of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, as an indication of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to piracy and sea robbery in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium organised in Lagos by NIMASA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said: “The Admiralty Law Conference instituted by NIMASA has achieved important milestones in the pursuit of its target of continuously improving maritime law administration in Nigeria.
“I am happy to announce that the key recommendations captured in the communiqué of last year’s conference would be sent to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative actions expected to improve the SPOMO Act.
“We have made good progress in the implementation of the SPOMO Act. We have secured convictions at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and Lagos, and more judgments are expected next month.
“These prosecutions and convictions have greatly helped to improve Nigeria’s image in the international community by producing a better appreciation of the country’s role and determination to end piracy and other maritime crimes in its territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.”
He also said: “From next year, Supreme Court justices and more lawyers would be included in the continuous attempt to fine tune the processes and procedures of justice administration in maritime issues.”
Also speaking, President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, commended NIMASA for its efforts.
