N/Assembly is determined to reform Nigerian laws - Ihedioha
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has said that the National Assembly would do all within its powers to ensure the successful reform of some Nigerian laws considered “archaic.”
Speaking at a round table on law reform in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) in Abuja yesterday, Ihedioha said a number of Nigerian laws have become obsolete as they were enacted by the military, and there was serious need to re-examine them.
He said going by “the clamour for reform in practically all aspects of our system,” there was need for lawmakers to ensure that Nigerian laws reflect and address its contemporary realities and challenges.
He said the National Assembly would ensure the implementation of the outcome of the law reform proposals from the round table.
“This round table will therefore provide a suitable forum to discuss the dynamics, challenges and benefits of law reform in Nigeria,” he said.
For his part, chairman House committee on justice, Rep Ali Ahmed, in a welcome address said the forum was organized to look critically at some Nigerian laws with a view to reviewing them to reflect current realities.
Delivering a paper at the event, Professor C. O. Okwonko (SAN), said some of the areas of Nigerian laws that need reform include Public Officers Protection Act, 2004 and Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004.
Others, he said, are Hire Purchase Act, 2004, Trustees Investment Act, 2004 and Dishonoured Cheques Offences Act, 2004 and the Criminal Justice Act, 2004 and Public Order Act, 2004.
Similarly, chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor O. A. Osunbor, said the commission has so far reviewed certain laws that were applicable only during the colonial era.