Law review committee promises to deliver in 2025

The Chairman of the Committee on the Review, Revision, and Consolidation of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, on Monday said the committee has so far reviewed 697 laws out of the mandated 737. He assured that with only 40 laws remaining, the committee is on track to deliver by 2025.

Fapohunda, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, made this known at the second retreat of the committee held in Abuja. He noted that the recognition of the enormity and importance of the assignment has motivated members—drawn from various professional backgrounds and qualifications—to work collaboratively towards submitting the draft in 2025.

He explained that the committee’s approach has been inclusive and consultative, involving input from a broad range of stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“The committee’s mandate is to review 737 laws of the federation. So far, we have completed 697, with 40 remaining. Our approach has been inclusive and consultative, with active engagement of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a wide array of stakeholders. We are open and available for further engagement, and we are on course to deliver on time and meet the expectations of Nigerians,” Fapohunda stated.

Declaring the retreat open, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and property in society.

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The AGF noted that the inauguration of the committee on October 24, 2024, marked a historic milestone in the collective efforts to modernize, consolidate, and harmonize Nigeria’s body of federal statutes.

“The retreat successfully provided a clear framework for the structure and methodology of the revision exercise. It oriented the 14 Working Groups tasked with reviewing specific legal subject areas and fostered collaboration among key institutions and stakeholders,” the AGF said.

While commending the committee’s dedication to a national assignment that will impact individuals, institutions, and businesses across the country, Fagbemi described the second retreat as a strategic consolidation of national law reform efforts. He said it offers an invaluable opportunity to assess progress, resolve challenges, and harmonize outputs across all working groups.

He revealed that the next stage of the process will involve editing and proofreading the reviewed legislation in preparation for final collation, production, and eventual printing of the updated Laws of the Federation.

The Minister praised the committee’s leadership, editors, and reviewers for their intellectual rigour, and expressed special appreciation to development partners—particularly the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme—for their support.

He urged participants to use the retreat as a platform for “robust engagement, peer learning, and practical collaboration,” while emphasizing the need for unity of purpose and sustained commitment to delivering a legal framework that reflects Nigeria’s developmental aspirations.

Speaking earlier in a goodwill message, the representative of RoLAC, Mr. Toyin Badejogbon, called for support for the review process, noting that legislative development updates will enhance access to law.

Badejogbon said, “Our courts, research institutes, law reform commissions, and citizens all need access to current laws to engage meaningfully.”