Fagbemi: Nigeria’s democracy at risk if obsolete laws remain unrevised

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, says Nigeria must urgently modernise its laws to sustain democracy and improve governance.

Speaking in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, at the third retreat of the Committee for the Review of the Laws of the Federation, Fagbemi warned that outdated laws weaken justice delivery, discourage investment and erode citizens’ trust in public institutions.

The Committee, inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2024, is charged with reviewing over 757 Acts and 753 subsidiary legislations to eliminate redundancy, consolidate statutes, and align the legal framework with democratic and economic needs.

He emphasized that obsolete laws frustrate justice delivery, discourage investment, and weaken public trust in institutions.

“Modernizing our legal framework, eliminating outdated statutes, and ensuring accessibility of the law will not only strengthen democracy but also enhance the ease of doing business and align Nigeria with its international obligations,” Fagbemi said.

He commended Ebonyi State for reforms such as its Charter of Justice Initiative and digitisation of court processes, describing the state as a model in the justice sector transformation.

The event, which is slated for 26th to 30th September, 2025, underscored the significance of reviewing the legal framework of Nigeria as a nation.

Declaring the retreat open, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State warned that Nigeria risks stagnation if it continues to rely on obsolete laws, which was last consolidated in 2004, despite the sweeping political, economic, and technological advancements in the Country.

“Every society is measured by the strength of its law. We cannot carry yesterday’s law into tomorrow’s challenges. To govern effectively, our legal framework must speak to today’s realities and anticipate the needs of the future.

“History will judge this Committee not only by the pages of the revised laws but by the impact those laws will have on justice, democracy, and development,” he declared.

Also, Ebonyi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ben Odoh, assured the Committee of the full backing of state counterparts, revealing that no fewer than 30 Attorneys-General attended the retreat to show solidarity.

“As we return to our states, we will replicate this reform process at the sub-national level. Be rest assured that every support needed to make this work succeed will be provided,” Odoh said.

The Committee Chairman, Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), disclosed that 641 Acts have already been concluded in the review process, with redundant provisions marked for deletion.

He stressed that the retreat would finalize modalities for producing the revised 2025 edition of the Laws of the Federation.

Speakers including the co-chairman of the review committee, SAN Dakas C.J Dakas repeatedly warned that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy rests heavily on the relevance and clarity of its laws.

They argued that a legal system that is outdated and incoherent cannot guarantee justice, economic stability, or citizens’ confidence.