Federal Government, yesterday, in Abuja inaugurated a committee of law experts from various fields to review, update and consolidate archaic Nigerian laws within six months. 
  
The initiative, last carried out in 2004, has been described as a step in advancing the rule of law and promoting socio-economic growth. Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, asked the committee to be meticulous in the execution of the task before them. 
  
Fagbemi challenged the law experts to identify outdated laws, which, according to him, are not in line with contemporary needs and values, and harmonise conflicting laws, to ensure uniformity and consistency.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 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 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.” 
  
According to him, the review, update and consolidation of the laws of the Federation 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 is long overdue. 
  
“The expected key areas of focus for the committee in the instant exercise are identification of outdated laws, which are not in line with contemporary needs and values, as well as harmonisation of conflicting laws, to ensure uniformity and consistency. 
  
“This is to attract socio-economic growth and investment, promote efficiency and adapt to technological advancements.
  
“This committee has been deliberately set up with individuals with vast professional experience and technical expertise in various aspects of the justice sector.” 

The committee, which is chaired by Mr Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, and co-chaired by the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Prof Jummai Audi, is charged, among others, to: “Coordinate the collection, collation and compilation of LFN up to 2024, work with relevant government agencies in harmonising the laws of the Federation up to 2024 and to cross-check, edit and proof-read all the legislations to be collected”.