Senator Shehu Lawan Kaka, representing Borno Central Senatorial District, has called for a major review of Nigerian laws, highlighting that no comprehensive review has taken place in the past 19 years.
In a motion he introduced and was debated on the floor of the upper legislative Chamber, the lawmaker emphasized the need to overhaul, update, and organize the laws in alphabetical order for easy reference, especially those currently in effect in Nigeria.
Senator Kaka reminded the chamber of the authority vested in the lawmakers to mandate the Office of the Attorney-General to review Nigerian laws, emphasizing the urgency of this action.
He pointed out that the last review occurred in 2004, approved through the “Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007,” which repealed the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990).
He expressed concern that the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 have not been revised for nineteen years, resulting in the exclusion of numerous laws enacted in Nigeria from 1st January 2003 to date from the compilation.
Senators voiced their support for the motion and unanimously agreed on the responsibility of the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review.
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio endorsed the motion, instructing the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters to promptly engage with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate the process of revising the laws.