General News
Experts Discuss the Future of Virtual Hearing in Arbitral Tribunal

Today, in the age of imagination, ‘virtual’ has become real, and even more so, the new normal in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The world has dramatically changed in the past few months, including government lockdowns and gathering restrictions.

The question for many in the legal profession is this – “Where does that leave the administration of justice?” Courts around the globe have answered that question by taking a pragmatic approach.
Courts have been required to think both quickly and efficiently to ensure that, where possible, hearings can proceed with the use of virtual hearings.
Virtual hearings have been used to conduct hearings remotely in order to minimise the risk of the transmission of COVID-19 and to ensure the health of all parties in attendance is maintained.
There is a litany of issues concerning virtual hearings in the arbitral tribunal – from the right to fair hearing, witness tampering, security bridges, and the overall future of virtual hearings in a post-COVID-19 world.
These issues were at the centre of discussion at the recently concluded virtual hearing webinar organised by The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).
Speaking during the webinar, Samaa Haridi, a Partner at Hogan Lovells in New York, emphasized the standing of physical hearings and an increase in willingness to adopt virtual hearings. She said, “While we are going to see an increase no doubt in the number of virtual hearings as a result of COVID-19, I do not believe that it will be the end of physical hearings. I do think that sometimes there is no substitute for physical hearings”.
Samaa also spoke in detail regarding presenting evidence in a virtual hearing. In terms of presenting evidence, Samaa believes that the impact of the evidence presented may not the same when you are sitting in a physical room versus when you are in front of a computer.
Samaa posited that for a virtual hearing to successfully take place, the tribunal has to balance on one hand its duty to conduct the arbitration expeditiously and efficiently, and on the other hand the parties’ right to equal treatment and their right to be heard.
According to her, it could be helpful to get the parties to sign an agreement that they will not challenge the award should they agree to pursue a virtual hearing (although such an agreement may not ultimately fully protect against a risk of vacatur).
In the scenario where one party is opposed to a virtual hearing, it is necessary to look at the arbitration provision, the relevant institutional rules, the arbitration laws of the lex loci arbitri and any other applicable legal framework.
The Nigeria Arbitration and Conciliation Act, for instance, is potentially permissive of virtual hearings. Under Section 16.2 of the Act, “unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for the inspection of documents, goods or other property.”
If the tribunal determines to proceed with a virtual hearing, it should be after careful consideration of various factors, including what are the reasons for requesting a virtual hearing; do all parties have equal access to technology; is the hearing heavily focused on argument or on testimonial evidence; or what is the likely delay if the virtual hearing does not go forward.
Another issue is related to maintaining the integrity of the process of giving evidence and avoiding assistance to witnesses while they testify. According to Samaa, the issue is not specific to virtual hearings.
Rather the issue becomes more complex in virtual hearings as you cannot see the environment where the witnesses are, nor can you tell to what extent the witnesses are being coached, or helped.
These issues need to be addressed by the tribunal and it is incumbent on the arbitral tribunal to remind the parties and counsel that no witnesses should be allowed to confer with counsel or with any parties’ representatives while they are giving evidence.
Additionally, the tribunal should work to ensure that only the designated individuals are in the room during the hearing, and it could also consider including in the witness oath, where applicable, confirmation that the witness is not being assisted and is not communicating with anyone while giving evidence.
Given the current environment, and only where appropriate, virtual hearings allow for the administration of justice to continue when physical hearings cannot take place.
General News
World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.
Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.
Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.
The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.
Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.
Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.
General News
Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.
According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.
The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.
Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.
Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.
The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.
The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.
The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.
General News
LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.
Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.
By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.
Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.
LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.
The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.
For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.
For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.
At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.
According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.
“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”
Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.
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