The Senate has passed the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation) Bill, 2018 (SB 391). The Bill seeks to make comprehensive provision for the periodic revision of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.

Presenting the Committee report on the Bill at the plenary session of Thursday, 18 January 2018, the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. David Umaru (APC: Niger) informed the Senate that the objective of the Bill was to ensure collection and codification of laws, publication, to guide against duplicity, piracy, distribution and for ease of reference.

Sen. Umaru mentioned that the Committee had received memoranda and conducted a public hearing on the bill in order to avail stakeholders and the general public the opportunity to make input in the legislative process. He listed the key stakeholders to include:

1. The Federal Ministry of Justice
2. The Nigerian law Commission
3. The Nigerian Army
4. The Nigerian Navy
5. The Nigerian Air Force
6. Department of State Services
7. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
8. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
9. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
10. The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC)
11. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
12. The Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
13. Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
14. Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); among others.

Furthermore, Sen. Umaru noted that various stakeholders had unanimously supported the passage of the Bill. He explained that if passed, the Bill would statutorily empower the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to revise the laws of the Federation as against the discretionary authorization and supervision of the Attorney General of the Federation; make it compulsory for the Commission to cause a revision of laws in every 10 years period; and enable approval of the revised laws by a Simple Majority of Members of the National Assembly.

In his concluding remarks, he stated that the bill would further strengthen the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to perform its statutory responsibilities.

Click here to view the full Committee report