The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN ), Hon(Dr )Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has actually clarified that the country’s judiciary is open to efforts targeted at enhancing the capability and enhancing of judicial officers in the handling of cases on emerging crime pattern in the nation.

Justice Muhammad made the clarification at the weekend, in Abuja, while playing host to a going to delegation of the United States authorities led by the Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard.

The CJN’s remark at the event was made public on Sunday by Mr Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the CJN.

A few of those emerging criminal offenses, the CJN stated consist of cybercrime, cross-jurisdictional infringement of Intellectual property rights, and cases connected to cybersecurity and espionage.

The CJN included that judges in the nation require training on block innovation and online conflict resolution as it impacts e-commerce which is ending up being a difficulty due to insufficient awareness of technology and technical abilities and capability.

The CJN requested for workshops that would verge on Copyright Law in the new digital environment for judicial officers and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards associating with copyright conflicts.

“Capacity structure for our judicial officers is our top priority, while the advancement of the capability of our Research Assistants and other staff of the National Judicial Institute, who are totally associated with these training programmes, is likewise really crucial.

“Your Excellency, without taking the cat out of your bag, I wish to guarantee you that our doors are constantly broad open to invite propositions that will be beneficial to the advancement of the Rule of Law and the general growth of the Judiciary of this nation.

“The National Judicial Institute will never ever relent in its efforts to work as the principal focal point of judicial activities on problems associating with the promo of performance, harmony and improvement in the quality of judicial services in our courts”, the CJN specified.

The U.S. Ambassador stated,” this courtesy call is a chance to motivate the Nigerian Judiciary to continue teaming up with the United States Mission, including in raising the profile of copyright (IP) protection which is essential for Nigeria’s advancement and worldwide collaborations”.

The U.S., she said, was looking to increase its capacity-building engagement on cybersecurity issues, adding that her country has an interest in continued partnership with the Judiciary and courts through its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office (INL) and Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT).

Ms. Leonard hinted that the U.S. was checking out how best to support Nigeria’s judicial procedures throughout the 2023 elections.

The Justices of the Supreme Court, who accompanied the CJN to get the U.S. delegation are Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Inyang John Okoro, Amina Adamu Augie, Ejembi Eko, Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, M.L.Garba, H.M. Ogunwumiju, Abdu Aboki, Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel A. Agim.

Others are the Administrator of NJI, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, President of National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, Secretary of National Judicial Council, Ahmed Gambo Sale, NJI Secretary, Abubakar Maidama and the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Barr Hajio Sarki Bello