FG Reviews 932 Laws, Removes 269 Obsolete Enactments

The Federal Government has reviewed 932 federal enactments and 731 subsidiary legislations, identifying 269 laws as obsolete, spent or repealed in a major exercise to update the country's legal framework.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the final report of the Committee on the Review, Update and Consolidation of the Laws of the Federation.

Fagbemi said 663 of the 932 enactments examined, alongside their relevant subsidiary legislations, had been identified for inclusion in the proposed 2025 Laws of the Federation, while the remaining 269 were recommended for exclusion.

He explained that the exercise was necessary to modernise Nigeria's legal system, noting that the last official consolidation of the country's federal laws was conducted in 2004.

According to him, more than two decades of legislative, constitutional, institutional and technological developments had made a comprehensive review necessary to ensure that existing laws remained relevant, accessible and consistent with contemporary realities.

The Attorney-General said he constituted the committee on October 24, 2024, with a mandate to examine federal enactments and subsidiary legislation, identify obsolete provisions, address inconsistencies and overlaps, and produce an authoritative compilation of the country's laws.

He commended the committee, chaired by Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), for completing the assignment, noting that the process involved extensive legal research, legislative analysis, technical coordination and editorial work.

Fagbemi disclosed that the committee adopted a structured approach involving 14 thematic working groups, supported by retreats and technical engagements, to harmonise findings and ensure quality control.

He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners and collaborating institutions, including the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, the Law Commission of England and Wales, LexisNexis South Africa, the Lagos State Law Reform Commission and Law Pavilion.

The minister said the final report would be presented to President Bola Tinubu for onward transmission to the National Assembly for legislative consideration and necessary action.

He stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government to ensure the successful completion of the process.

Fagbemi also called for a sustainable mechanism to ensure regular updates of federal laws and prevent another prolonged gap in their consolidation.