The Juris Law Office in collaboration with the National Judicial Council has awarded the Chairman, body of bank chief executive officers, and Managing Director, Access Bank Group, Dr Herbert Wigwe with Juris Law Award.

The award which was presented by the Juris Law Office in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute honoured Dr. Wigwe for his contributions to corporate governance and rule of law in Nigeria’s banking industry.

The prestigious award was presented to Wigwe at a workshop for judicial officers on recent reforms of the banking financial services sectors in Nigeria: Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (2020) in Focus.

The doyen of the banking industry received the award alogside the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who was also recognized for his support towards the development of law for economic growth in Nigeria.

Dr. Herbert Wigwe and Godwin Emefiele

Earlier in his goodwill message, Mr Wigwe said the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 has the capacity to promote a stronger, more transparent, and efficient financial system in Nigeria.

He said the expansion of the CBN’s powers and the other salient provisions introduced by the Act will help to improve the system, prevent bank failures and other systemic issues.

Mr Wigwe used the opportunity to urge the lawyers to look into the contemporary issues in the nation’s banking sector and come up with workable ways of resolving financial disputes.

“It is my hope that my Lords will be emboldened in the future to implement the provisions of this Act, admit their errors where necessary and do inestimable good to the banking and financial sector in the country.

“I am, without doubt, that your lordships’ decisions are a vital part in determining how fast and high the economy of this country can grow. It is my hope that the future cases will be decided in tandem with the spirit of this Act and the rule of law. No nation’s economy can develop faster than its rule of law,” he said.

The workshop is with the theme: ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Financial System Stability in Nigeria’.