ABOUT THE COMMISSION
INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) was established in July 1979 by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act Cap N118 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”). The Commission, which is a corporate body, is anonymous, though the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is mandated to:
i. Provide references particularly in areas of law, which the Government through its policies wishes to be reviewed and reformed.
ii. Assist in acquiring the necessary funding for its operations.
iii. Implement the Commission’s reports.
VISION
To transform itself into an efficient machinery for the continous delivery of quality Law Reform for the Nation.
MISSION
To adhere strictly to the liberal democratic values contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; such as human right, equality, justice, freedom and accountability
VISION STATEMENT
To undertake the progressive development and reform of substantive and procedural laws applicable in Nigeria by way of codification, elimination of anomalies or obsolete Laws and general simplification of the law in accordance with general directions issued by the government from time to time.
MISSION STATEMENT
To monitor the Law with view to effecting necessary changes to make the law modern, fair, just efficient and in consonance with the prevailing social and morale values of the Nigerian society and the nations international obligations, through constant research and analysis of the laws and widest public consultation.
Composition of the Commission
- Prof. Jummai Adama Mohammed Audi- Honourable Chairman
- Barr. Bassey Dan Abia- Honourable Commissioner I
- Hon. Mohammad B. O. Ibraheem- Honourable Commissioner II
- Prof. Larry C. O. Chukwu- Honourable Commissioner III
- Dr. Muhammad M. Aminu - Secretary to the Commission
Functions of the Commission
The functions of the Commission are spelt out in section 5 (1) of the Act in the following terms: It shall be the duty of the Commission generally to take and keep under review all Federal laws with a view to their systematic and progressive development and reform in consonance with the prevailing norms of the Nigerian society including, in particular, the codification of such laws, the elimination of anomalies, the repeal of obsolete, spent and unnecessary enactments, the reduction in number of separate enactments, the reform of procedural laws in consonance with changes in the machinery of the administration of justice and generally, the simplification and modernization of the law.
More...Constraints
Inadequate funding by Government for its operation mainly hampers the Commission’s efforts. Over the years now the funds approved for the Commission for its overheads expenditure remained too small to arrange any National Workshop on its reform project. It has also not been possible to host the National Conference of law reform agencies in Nigeria because of the shoestring budget it operated.
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