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Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), inaugurated a committee of law experts on Thursday to review and update outdated Nigerian laws.
He described this as a step toward promoting the rule of law and access to justice in the country.
The AGF noted that while the law is constantly dynamic and evolving, it has been an issue of concern to him how the laws of the federation had not been updated since 2004.
Fagbemi stated this in Abuja, in his remarks at the inauguration of the committee for the review, update, and consolidation of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
He noted that the committee, chaired by Mr Olawale Fapohunda (SAN) and co-chaired by the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Prof Jummai Audi, will, within four months, “coordinate the collection, collation, and compilation of the LFN up to 2024.”
He added that the committee will “work with relevant government agencies in harmonising the LFN up to 2024, cross-check, edit and proofread all the legislations to be collected.
“Identify all legislations not included in the 2004 edition of the LFN and update same; identify outdated or redundant laws in the current LFN that need repeal.
“Merge laws addressing related matters to eliminate redundancy; prepare a comprehensive report of findings to the HAGF/MJ and thereafter, perform and undertake any lawful assignment incidental thereto.”
The AGF charged the committee to focus on identifying outdated laws which were not in line with contemporary needs and values.
He also urged them to harmonise conflicting laws, to ensure uniformity and consistency.
He said the task assigned them is “part of ongoing efforts of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to promote the rule of law and access to justice, in line with the policy objectives of enabling socio-economic growth and advancing legal reforms.”
Fagbemi added, “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 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 the 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 (corpus juris), 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.”
Fagbemi stressed that the exercise was important for socio-economic growth and investment, as well as promoting efficiency and adapting to technological advancements.
He charged the committee to work in unity and exhibit patriotism in the overall interest of the nation in the course of the assigned task.
Stating that he had realised there was a lot of work to be done, he thanked the committee for accepting the challenging task.
He said, “This committee has been deliberately set up with individuals with vast professional experience and technical expertise in various aspects of the justice sector.
“I would like to thank you all for accepting the call to serve our nation in this capacity.
“Let me particularly express gratitude to the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, for also supporting this initiative.
“Please be assured that the ministry will always be available to provide institutional support and assistance where required, to ensure that the committee achieves its mandate.”
