NCC Is Deemed A Respectable Telecom Regulator By CJN

Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its tireless efforts to increase knowledge of Information Communications Technologies (ICT) among the Nigerian public in general and the judiciary in particular.

Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

The 2023 edition of the annual workshop for judges on telecoms matters, organized by the NCC and starting on Monday in Kano, featured a keynote address by the CJN, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the NJI.

The use of the Internet is increasingly common in this era, with innovative and interactive influences on the general public, which is why the workshop is so important, according to Justice Ariwoola, who claimed that information technology and telecommunication services have surpassed the traditional method of providing court services.

The CJN commented on the workshop's theme, "The Adjudication Path in a Digital Era," saying it resonates with the contemporary realities that judicial officials must deal with due to technological advancements that have profoundly changed how they interact with one another, obtain information, and carry out legal proceedings.

"We are obliged to embrace this transformation while ensuring that doing justice remains at the forefront of our efforts," he said.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, welcomed the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and other Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court, Appeal Court, Federal High and States High Courts, as well as the NJI, to the workshop and informed them that the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 is currently undergoing a fundamental review to update its provisions.

The workshop offers a forum for an effective discussion of the challenges the judiciary faces as a result of the digital revolution, according to the nation's top judge, and it also provides an opportunity to arm the judiciary with the knowledge needed to handle the digital era.

"It is also crucial to prioritize the examination of the convergence of data privacy and information security law.

"The enormous amount of data generated and collated in the digital realm raises critical questions regarding privacy, security, and the protection of individual rights.

"As Judicial Officers, you are responsible for carefully assessing the legal implications of data collation, storage, and utilization and by striking a harmonious balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding privacy, your Lordships would cultivate trust in the digital ecosystem while upholding individual rights" Ariwoola said.

In his welcome speech, the EVC/CEO of NCC thanked the CJN and the highest ranking members of the judiciary for making the time to attend the workshop and pledged the Commission's determination to advance knowledge of the digital future on the judiciary as a vital and indispensable branch of the government.

Danbatta stated that the NCC has taken action to begin the review of its enabling legislation, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA, 2003), while assuring that stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input on the amendment. The NCC is responsive to the rapid changes in the telecommunications and technology space.

When discussing the significance of the workshop, Danbatta pointed out that the telecommunications industry has changed since the NCA 2003 was established, necessitating the necessity to be adaptable in order to keep up with the dynamism of emerging technologies.

The EVC stated that the workshop gave the Commission plenty of chance to interact with the Judiciary about how to use digital technologies to advance the administration of justice.

He said, "The communications sector, through infrastructure deployment, has continually ensured that the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government is established on a solid foundation. It has also proven to be the catalyst for entrenching the activities of both the public and private sectors in the digital space seamlessly.

"Thus, to instill societal confidence in the digital economy, at least, two things are required: a safe and effective backbone infrastructure, as well as an efficient adjudicatory mechanism, which is easily accessible in the digital space," he stated.

This reality, according to the EVC, guides the NCC's steadfast engagement with the NJI to build judges' capacity in this area. The Court, the final bastion of the common man, will be thoroughly ingrained into the fabric of the digital economy, the EVC said.

Danbatta added, "We have the Nigerian Communications Act, which formed the NCC in 2003, more than 20 years ago, in an interview on the sidelines of the workshop.

When the Chief Justice of the Federation stated that this Act was outdated and needed to be reviewed, I gave the judiciary's members my word that this review was already in progress.

"At the appropriate time, members of the media will be invited to witness the public presentation of the reviewed NCC Act to an engagement forum with critical members of the industry as well as Nigerians, who subscribe to telecommunications services. They will have a say during the presentation of the reviewed Act to the Public."

Together with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the NCC sponsored the 2023 National Workshop for Justices and Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunication Matters.

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