The Federal Government has established a committee of high-level legal professionals from diverse sectors to examine, update, and consolidate old Nigerian laws within six months, Cyber Reporters report.
The legislation review and update are reported to be part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued efforts to strengthen the rule of law and access to justice, which are consistent with the policy objectives of facilitating socioeconomic progress and advancing legal reform.
Inaugurating the Committee on behalf of the federal government, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, urged the committee members to be diligent in carrying out the duty assigned.
Fagbemi encouraged legal professionals to focus on identifying old laws that, in his opinion, are out of step with modern needs and values, as well as harmonizing conflicting laws to achieve uniformity and consistency.
He said “I would like to inform you all that this is a project which is particularly dear to my heart, and I have always been concerned about our seeming inability to update the Laws of the Federation (LFN) since 2004, to enable clarity, predictability, consistency, and uniformity in our body of laws.
“You are all aware that the general purpose of the law is to protect public interest and regulate human behaviour and interactions between corporate entities.
“The law is constantly dynamic and evolving, hence, there is a need for continuous review or reform of our body of laws to address contemporary socio-economic developments, resolve conflicting and obsolete provisions with the ultimate aim of improving the administration of justice and promotion of rule of law.
“As you are aware, the review, update and consolidation of the Laws of the Federation, 2004 is long overdue to reflect and consolidate legislative developments (inclusive of repeals, amendments and enactments) from 2004 till date, in furtherance of the law development mandate of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Additionally, they must provide a thorough report to the AGF and complete all necessary legal tasks.
The AGF also charged the Committee to collaborate and demonstrate patriotism in the national interest, and expressed optimism that the report and draft volumes of the Laws of the Federation 2024 would be received in accordance with the federal government’s wishes.
