NCAA to collaborate with judiciary on aviation law and contracts

The Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo has requested the judiciary to support its efforts in deepening of laws governing contractual dealings in the nation’s aviation sector, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC). Apart from the Cape Town Convention, the CTC also comprises the International Interests in Mobile Equipment 2001 and the […]

The Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo has requested the judiciary to support its efforts in deepening of laws governing contractual dealings in the nation’s aviation sector, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC).

Apart from the Cape Town Convention, the CTC also comprises the International Interests in Mobile Equipment 2001 and the Protocol to the Convention on Matters Specific Aircraft Equipment.

Najomo spoke at the grand finale of the international CTC moot court, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project.

The DG of NCAA, who was represented by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training, NCAA, Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, said the CTC “has actually put Nigeria in a better perspective to aircraft lessors and general aviation business in Nigeria.”

The well-attended event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, and Aerospace Development, and the NCAA, with support from the Aviation Working Group (AWG).

Najomo said the purpose of the programme is to familiarize students, academics and judges with the CTC in the context of complex hypothetical fact patterns, and provide students with educational exercises involving these instruments (CTC) in a simulated judicial setting.

He noted that before now, most airline manufacturing or leasing companies did not want to conduct business in Nigeria, adding that with the CTC, assurances have been given.

Najomo added: “Through the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), we are now in the good books of these organisations.

“And, this is an enlightenment programme to tell the world that we have arrived and we are ready to do business,” he said.

The DG, NCAA hailed the performance of the students, who participated in the programme and commended them for their display of brilliance and commitment, noting that it shows the country’s capacity in every sector.

The Secretary General of the AWG and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Jeffrey Wool, said he was thrilled by the first Nigerian international CTC moot court.

Wool said the CTC is a very important international treaty, ratified by Nigeria, adding that the moot court “is a way to introduce students and the legal system to this all important treaty” and further familiarise the court with the provisions of the treaty.