On Thursday, the Federal Government launched a 46-member committee tasked with the critical job of identifying and reviewing obsolete laws in Nigeria.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) announced the formation of the committee, which includes retired judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and key officials from the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and the Federal Ministry of Justice. He stated that the committee has six months to complete its national assignment.
“This project is particularly dear to my heart,” Fagbemi remarked. He expressed concern over the country’s failure to update its laws since 2004, emphasizing the need for clarity, predictability, consistency, and uniformity within the legal framework.
He further explained, “The general purpose of law is to protect public interest, regulate human behaviour and interactions between corporate entities.”
Fagbemi underscored the dynamic nature of law, highlighting the necessity for continuous reforms to meet contemporary socio-economic challenges and to resolve outdated provisions.
Read also: Falz breaks silence regarding defamatory case against Very Dark Man
“The review, update, and consolidation of the Laws of the Federation, 2004 is long overdue,” he added, noting that it should reflect legislative developments since then.
The committee’s primary focus will be to identify outdated laws, harmonize conflicting legislation, and adapt legal structures to foster socio-economic growth and investment.
“This Committee has been deliberately set up with individuals who possess vast professional experience and technical expertise in various aspects of the justice sector,” he noted. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, and the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies for their support.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, and co-chaired by Professor Jummai Audi, the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, has specific terms of reference. These include coordinating the collection and compilation of legislation up to 2024, harmonizing laws, and identifying outdated statutes for repeal.
Fagbemi urged the committee to make diligent efforts to deliver results within the established timeline. “As I inaugurate this Committee today, I am quite hopeful and earnestly looking forward to receiving its report and draft volumes of the Laws of the Federation 2024,” he stated.
Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, encouraged committee members to approach their task with patriotism. She noted that some laws, not reviewed in over 20 years, have become outdated.
The post Nigerian govt set up 46-member committee to revise outdated laws appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Naomisophyblog.
