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Dakas CJ Dakas pledges to accelerate Nigerian law reform and overhaul outdated laws
Following his inauguration last week as the new Chair of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor Dakas CJ Dakas is looking to accelerate legal reforms by targeting obsolete statutes and collaborating with the National Assembly
The Nigerian Law Reform Commission is looking to inspire confidence and renew the hopes of everyday Nigerians by collaborating closely with the National Assembly to identify outdated laws and help transform the country, said Professor Dakas CJ Dakas SAN, who was inaugurated as the new Chair on Wednesday.
After being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Dakas said the Commission will be deliberate about identifying and proposing for reform “very obsolete laws” that are unsuitable for the large, developing nation.
“It will interest you to know that quite a number of our laws date back to the colonial era, and very many of them are still on the statute books,” said Dakas. “Many of them are not fit for purpose, and I’m confident that, working with the National Assembly and the Executive, we will advance the law reform agenda in this country in a manner that inspires confidence in Nigerians and other stakeholders.”
Professor Dakas is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos. He is also a former Attorney-General of Plateau State; he was the youngest person ever to hold that office, as well as the first legal academic.
A renowned constitutional law expert, Dakas’ nomination in June to become Commission Chair, then unanimous Senate confirmation, was widely praised.
“Your appointment is not only a testament to your towering intellect, distinguished legal scholarship, and unwavering integrity but also a moment of pride for Plateau State and the entire nation,” said Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, a member of the National Assembly from Dakas’ home state. “Your career has been marked by excellence, dedication to the rule of law, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice and equity, all of which make you eminently qualified for this important national assignment.
Following his inauguration, Dakas said he and his fellow Commissioners, including Dr Uchenna Eugene Okolocha who was sworn in to represent the South-South, were very privileged to serve Nigeria in an exalted capacity. “I want to assure all Nigerians that the Commission will embark on innovative and strategic law reform for national transformation in a manner that rekindles and renews the hopes of Nigerians, not only in the Nigerian legal system, but also in the Nigerian state.”