Amaka Obiefuna

Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anite, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Dr Emomotimi Agama and other stakeholders in the capital market on Monday called on Nigeria’s judiciary to enhance trust and efficiency within the country’s capital market.

They stressed that the judiciary has a critical role in driving the agenda of the federal government to achieve the N1tn target for the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Judges’ Workshop in Abuja, Shettima highlighted how effective dispute resolution mechanisms underpin investor confidence and market stability.

Themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Capital Market for National Economic Transformation through Effective Dispute Resolution,” the workshop brought together the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judges, Attorney-General, SEC officials, and key legal practitioners.

“A strong and trustworthy capital market is fundamental to national economic transformation,” the Vice President said.

He noted that beyond its role as a trading platform, the capital market mobilizes long-term funds crucial for infrastructure, business expansion, and job creation, all vital to Nigeria’s development goals amid a young and growing population.

Shettima stressed that investor trust hinges on a legal system capable of resolving disputes promptly and fairly.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, especially in financial markets where timing is critical,” he stated, urging judges to deepen their knowledge of capital market laws and work closely with the SEC to uphold market integrity.

He also reassured participants of the government’s commitment to supporting judicial independence and improving access to justice, including through alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation and arbitration, aimed at easing court congestion and speeding up settlements.

Also speaking, Agama said the workshop seeks to build judicial capacity, encourage consistency in rulings, and foster collaboration between regulators and the judiciary.

He commended the President and the National Assembly for the successful passage and signing into law of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.

He said, “The ISA 2025 is a legislative success, a legal milestone and a reform that ushers in a new era for our capital market.

“By enacting this progressive law, Nigeria has taken a bold step toward fostering a more transparent, efficient, resilient and secure investment climate.

“The diligent efforts of the Executive and Legislative arms in ensuring the seamless passage of this Act reflect a shared commitment to economic growth, financial stability and sustainable development.

“Your excellences, the capital market community celebrates this achievement and we express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering dedication to policies that advance our collective prosperity.

“May this Act serve as a beacon for further economic reforms that will attract investments, empower businesses and create lasting opportunities for all Nigerians.

“This workshop is part of the Commission’s objective of engaging the Judiciary in all aspects of capital market operations especially on the specialized law, regulations and ethics upon which market integrity heavily relies on.

“This Workshop is part of the firm commitment of SEC to a deeper engagement with all stakeholders, ensuring that the provisions of the ISA 2025 are widely disseminated, discussed and fully understood, in order to achieve our goals in restoring investors confidence, bringing timely succour to aggrieved investors and creating a broad-based participation of Nigerians in wealth creation. “

Within the context of national economic transformation, Agama said the capital markets assume a more prominent role, as no economy can develop without a vibrant and resilient capital market that facilitates capital formation and promotes economic growth.

“The capital market is critical to addressing our challenges, such as infrastructure deficit and unemployment, by supplying government with long term financing for infrastructure and allowing companies to raise funds to expand their operations and create jobs.: he said.

“As judges, your interpretations of these provisions will set legal precedents that will shape market behaviour for decades.

“Furthermore, recent cases have highlighted the need for judicial preparedness. This workshop will therefore provide practical case studies on capital market litigation, foster dialogue between judges, regulators, and market operators and equip the judiciary with tools to handle sophisticated financial crimes.”

The Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the capital market is no longer a distant abstraction limited to high finance or institutional investors, adding that it has become a critical lever of economic participation and empowerment.

She said, “From pension contributors and fintech entrepreneurs to diaspora bond subscribers and small-scale investors, the capital market affects livelihoods, opportunities, and national competitiveness.

“As such, it is not merely an economic mechanism, it is a democratic tool for wealth creation and national stability. Yet, like all vital systems, it is vulnerable.

“The capital market is a repository of trust, but also a potential site of distortion. It is a platform for innovation, but also susceptible to fraud and regulatory 4 arbitrage. In this regard, the Judiciary has a profound role to play.

“Not as passive arbiters, but as active custodians of economic integrity and commercial justice. We must acknowledge the emergence of new financial frontiers— digital assets, cryptocurrency transactions, green financing instruments, and transnational securities.

“These developments often outpace the tools of traditional adjudication. It is not sufficient to apply existing principles without adaptation; nor must we yield to the illusion that novelty negates precedent. Instead, we must engage with these issues in a manner that preserves legal consistency while remaining responsive to evolving commercial realities.”

The CJN said, the recent enactment of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, is a welcome development, adding that the provisions offer enhanced regulatory clarity and investor protection mechanisms.

She added, “Our task, therefore, is to breathe life into these 5 statutory instruments and to give them meaning that aligns with legislative intent, commercial logic, and ethical consciousness.

“This workshop is not simply a training exercise. It is a platform for self-examination and renewal; a crucible for deepening our understanding of the demands that modern financial adjudication places on the Bench.

“The decisions we render in capital market disputes reverberate beyond the courtroom; they shape public confidence, influence investor behaviour, and impact the stability of financial institutions. Let us not lose sight of the powerful signals our decisions send.

“When justice is swift, sound, and credible, capital is attracted, innovation flourishes, and prosperity becomes inclusive. When judgments are delayed, ambiguous, or uninformed, economic activity is stifled and confidence eroded.

“The Judiciary must therefore see itself not only as an interpreter of the law but as a co-architect of national economic order.”

In her comments, Uzoka-Anite emphasizes the significance of the platform for dialogue and capacity building among institutions responsible for maintaining financial market integrity.

She described the capital market as a catalyst for economic growth, structural development, innovation, and job creation, especially in a potential-rich economy like Nigeria.

According to her, the collaboration between regulators, the judiciary, and all stakeholders is essential to preserve public trust, resolve disputes efficiently, and ensure consistent interpretation and application of capital market laws.

She identified SEC as a critical partner in achieving Nigeria’s economic agenda through regulatory oversight of the capital market.