The Federal Government inaugurated a 46-man committee on Thursday, tasked with identifying and reviewing outdated laws in Nigeria. The committee, composed of retired judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and officials from the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and the Federal Ministry of Justice, has been given a six-month timeframe to complete its assignment.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized the importance of this initiative as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration’s efforts to enhance the rule of law and access to justice. He expressed his concern over the lack of updates to the Laws of the Federation since 2004, which hampers clarity, consistency, and predictability within the legal framework.
Fagbemi outlined the committee’s objectives, stating that the law must evolve to reflect contemporary socio-economic developments and improve the administration of justice. Key areas of focus include:
- Identifying outdated laws that do not align with modern needs and values.
- Harmonizing conflicting laws to ensure uniformity and consistency.
- Attracting socio-economic growth and investment by promoting legal efficiency and adapting to technological advancements.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, and co-chaired by Professor Jummai Audi, the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, will coordinate the compilation of laws up to 2024, identify outdated legislation for repeal, and merge redundant laws.
Fagbemi thanked the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, and the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies for their support. He expressed optimism for the committee’s work and looks forward to receiving their report and the draft volumes of the Laws of the Federation 2024.