Governor Nwifuru Urges Overhaul of Obsolete Legal Framework

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, on Monday declared open the third retreat of the Committee for the Review of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, urging participants to rise to the task of modernising the country’s legal framework in line with current realities.

The retreat, taking place in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, brings together federal and state attorneys-general, legal scholars, and members of the law review committee established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consolidate and update Nigeria’s body of federal laws — last comprehensively reviewed in 2004.

In his keynote address, Governor Nwifuru described the retreat as a historic intervention in Nigeria’s legal evolution, emphasising the urgency of aligning national laws with global standards, technological advancements, and the socio-economic shifts that have emerged over the last two decades.

“We cannot carry yesterday’s laws into tomorrow’s challenges,” the governor said. “To govern effectively, our legal framework must speak to the realities of today and anticipate the needs of the future.”

The governor commended the committee’s work so far, particularly the 14 technical working groups and a recent study tour to LexisNexis in South Africa, which he said demonstrated a serious commitment to benchmarking Nigeria’s legal reforms against international best practices.

“The work before you demands both technical precision and patriotic vision. From the reports I have received, you have shown both,” Mr Nwifuru said.

He warned that outdated and incoherent laws remain a major barrier to justice delivery and economic progress in the country.

“Every society is measured by the strength of its laws. When laws are clear, modern, and just, the people prosper; when they are weak or obsolete, progress is hindered, and justice is delayed,” he said.

The governor also used the opportunity to highlight ongoing governance reforms in Ebonyi State, aimed at strengthening institutions, expanding access to justice, and improving trust between citizens and government.

“We believe deeply in the cause you represent. In our modest way, Ebonyi has been pursuing legal reforms that reflect global standards and local realities,” he noted.

Governor Nwifuru challenged delegates to move beyond technical revisions and confront the broader philosophical question of what kind of society Nigeria’s laws should build.

“Let your debates rise above technicalities to embrace the larger question: What kind of Nigeria do we want our laws to build?” he asked.

He called for laws that guarantee justice as a right, not a privilege, and urged participants to prioritise inclusivity, foresight, and courage in their deliberations.

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

The retreat, which runs through August 29, is expected to culminate in the consolidation of revised legal texts and frameworks that will be submitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.

The Committee for the Review of the Laws of the Federation was inaugurated earlier this year by President Bola Tinubu, with a mandate to identify and eliminate outdated provisions in the 2004 compilation of federal laws, consolidate amendments, and streamline the legal framework to reflect Nigeria’s evolving legal, political, and economic landscape.

The second retreat was held in Abuja, during which preliminary reports from the technical working groups were presented. The third retreat in Ebonyi marks a critical step toward the final consolidation phase.