Eromosele Abiodun
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta has advised lawyers to make reference to Admiralty Law Reports of Nigeria (ALRN) to upgrade procedures of maritime cases.
Auta gave the advice in Lagos in a message to the launch of Volumes seven to 12 of “Admiralty Law Reports of Nigeria (ALRN)’’ written by Mrs. Jean Chiazor-Anishere.
The Chief Judge was represented by Justice Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court.
Auta described the books as specialised write-ups on shipping, saying that particular references were made to judgments of the Federal High Court in the law reports, including cases of international matters.
He said that it was important for lawyers to have more reference books in order to make their jobs easier.
“The author dedicated the books to S. O. Lambo, because he was the first President of the Federal Revenue Court and also the pioneer Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. S. O. Lambo is one of the pioneers who set the up the Federal High Court. He built a house and put it on a hill and the house is growing higher, ’’Auta said.
Also, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Mrs. Roseline Ukeje, said that the Federal High Court started operations in 1973, while she became a judge of the court in 1986.
“Justice Lambo was popularly known as `Feferity Lambo’. This appellation stemmed from his panache, his carriage, his diction and his humility. The court started with seven judges and today the Federal High Court has 80 judges and still counting. I rejoice with the wife and family of our late premier Chief Judge, Lambo. I believe I have spoken the mind of all the judges,’’ Ukeje said.
In her remarks, Chiazor-Anishere said that the books were dedicated to the late Justice Lambo for his pioneering works and his immense contributions to the growth and development of the high court.
“The seven to 12 volumes of the ALRN are informed by huge patronage from our dear colleagues and Judges of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It is worthy to note that Admiralty matters are adjudicated expeditiously as desired by maritime practitioners and stakeholders. The ALRN will give life to litigations in maritime practice and expound issues on maritime law and practice,’’ Chiazor-Anishere said.
She said that Volumes one to six of ALRN were being used by the High Court in Ghana.
A maritime lawyer, Mr. Emeka Akabogu, who reviewed the ALRN, said that the books were the continuation of the first six volumes of ALRN written by Chiazor-Anishere.
Akabogu said that each page had an introduction layout, issues for determination as well as summary of keen decisions of the high court.
According to him, “Each of the pages has an in-depth of cases decided in the past and elaborate subject matter index. Admiralty jurisdiction is exclusive to Federal High Court which is particularly enlightened comprehensive details of Federal High Court cases.
“The names of judges of Federal High Court, Supreme and Court of Appeals are listed in the books. The greatest functionalities of the volume is the content of issues which we find running through all the six parts.’’
He said that the books contained maritime operations from carriage of goods, port management, marine insurance, regulatory crimes as well as maritime crime.
Also, Dr. Yinka Lambo, a daughter of the late Justice Lambo, described her father as a humble person, who loved education and had passion for his profession.
Yinka, however, commended the author for honouring her late father with the books.
