Nigeria At 60: FG Reviewing ‘Obsolete Laws’ To Stand Test Of Time, Says Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the “Nigerian legal system reflects nation’s existence in view of dynamism and contemporary realities.”

The AGF made the assertion on Thursday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, as quoted in a statement issued by Malami’s spokesperson, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that a Ministerial Performance Report submitted to the Federal Executive Council(FEC) had captured the role played by the Federal Ministry of Justice with regard to human rights and justice sector reforms.

Among other things, the report stated that the FMoJ, under Malami’s leadership, oversaw the enactment of the following laws: Finance Bill (Value Added Tax, Stamp Duties Bill, Capital Gains Bill, Company and Allied Matters Bill, Personal Income Tax Bill, Petroleum Profit Tax Bill, Custom and Excess Tariff Consolidation Bill), Proceed of Crime Bill and Whistle Blowing Bill as well as Off Shore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Acts CAP D3 LFN(Amendment) Act 2019.

Meanwhile, Malami stressed that beyond that, certain existing laws were due for reviews to bring them in line with current realities.

“Generally speaking, we are not only changing/amending the obsolete laws, but coming up with new ones that are dynamic, that can stand the taste of time and that factor in dynamics associated with developments in technology and otherwise.

“We will ensure that all laws that deserve to be reviewed are reviewed,” he said.

Recall that Malami had on September 10, 2020, inaugurated members of the 9th Commission of the Nigerian Law Reform, urging them to abide by the rules and regulations as provided by the Section 2 & 8 (1) of the Act.

“Nigeria’s legislative and legal frameworks evolved and was developed from some inherited laws traced to period of colonialism,” the statement partly read.

He also assured Nigerians that “the government is committed to the fulfilment of its campaign promises.”