During a side line of the event interview, Mr. Amos Isaac Azi, Chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST), emphasized the need for judicial efficiency to strengthen investor confidence and accelerate Nigeria’s economic development.
“The Tribunal’s statutory obligation is to resolve capital market disputes within 90 days from when hearings commence,” Azi stated.
“What’s exciting now is that the newly enacted 2025 Investments and Securities Act empowers investors to bring complaints directly to the Tribunal if the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hasn’t resolved them within 60 days. This eliminates delays and opens up a time-bound route to justice.”
According to Mr. Azi, the Tribunal’s function is not just administrative—it is foundational to building investor trust, especially among foreign entities keen on the Nigerian market.
“No rational investor will risk capital in a jurisdiction where legal redress is either unpredictable or prolonged. The Tribunal now offers a clear path for those seeking fast, lawful resolution to financial disputes. This is how we deepen market integrity,” he added.
Joining the conversation at the seminar was Ahmed Raji, SAN, a renowned judge of the national industrial Court, a member of the investment and Securities tribunal and financial law expert, who lent a practitioner’s perspective to the discourse. Speaking on a side interview, Raji noted that while the law has made strides, operational implementation still needs sharpening.
“Justice delayed is confidence denied,” Raji asserted.
“The legal system must act swiftly, particularly in capital market disputes. We propose that appeals on points of law should be automatic, but appeals involving mixed facts and law should only proceed with leave of the Court of Appeal. This filters frivolous appeals and fast-tracks serious cases.”
The NDIC Acting Managing Director, Mrs Emily Osuji explain further about the purpose and objective of the sanitization event is to improve judicial awareness around deposit insurance, failed bank resolution, and NDIC’s statutory role in protecting depositors.
“Our collaboration with the judiciary is strategic. Many of our cases involve liquidated financial institutions with court-bound debt issues. Sensitizing judges on our legal mandate allows for fairer and more informed rulings,” she noted.
She clarified the Corporation’s statutory payout structure in insolvency matters: depositors come first, followed by creditors, and then shareholders, depending on available recoveries.
“In cases involving failed banks, Industrial Court judges are crucial. They often handle severance and employment claims. While these are valid, NDIC’s primary mandate is depositor protection. Understanding this legal priority ensures that all claims are assessed fairly within the legal framework,” she explained.
The sensitization seminar, which gathered justices from the National Industrial Court and IST members, marks the second cohort in NDIC’s 2025 judicial training series. It is part of a broader reform campaign by the Corporation to align the legal, regulatory, and enforcement arms of Nigeria’s financial system.
As Nigeria pursues economic resilience and investor-driven growth, collaboration between institutions like the NDIC, the IST, and the judiciary becomes critical. The 2025 Lagos seminar underscored that quick, fair, and expert handling of financial disputes isn’t just procedural, it’s a pillar of investor confidence. With voices like Azi and Raji SAN leading the charge, the legal system is being recalibrated to meet the demands of a modern, capital-driven economy
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