‘There is no crisis between Constitution review Committee, NBA  – Olawale insists 

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The chairman, laws of the federation of Nigeria Review Committee, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN on Wednesday denied that there was no rift between the Nigeria Barr Association, NBA, and the constitution review committee in Nigeria.

Olawale hinted that the review of the 1999 constitution and other laws of the federation can’t be possible without the partnership of the members of the Nigeria Barr Association, NBA.

He reiterated the committed efforts of the committee to come up with a credible laws that will entrench justice, fairness and boost the confidence of Nigerians, especially as it concerns electoral laws (matters), cyber security etc.

The Chairman, Olawale made this known while speaking with newsmen during the 3rd Retreat of the committee for the review of the laws of the federation of Nigeria, held at the Re- Meritona hotel Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State. 

“As you are aware, under the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.when he set up this committee.The purpose of the committee is essentially to review the laws of Nigeria. The last time it was reviewed was over 20 years ago. So, we are now in the process of concluding that review process, which started since November last year.

“The purpose of this retreat is to get together with ourselves, state attorney generals, and other experts to see how far we have done, what more we can do as we move towards the final solution of our report”. 

On handling electoral matters, especially the forthcoming election in Nigeria, he said “Our mandate is to review the laws of Nigeria, starting with the electoral act as part of the laws of Nigeria.Again, don’t forget that we don’t make laws. 

“Our own mandate is specific.Look at it, see whether it’s relevant,whether there are any changes that need to be put, and even those changes have to be recommended for the attention of the Attorney General before they are reviewed by the State Department of the National Assembly.

“There are so many laws that should be updated, have no place in the current legal system. So, those are the laws we are focusing on,so that we can, at the end of this exercise,we can present a report, identify those laws in a manner that fully reflects the needs or the concerns of Nigerians.

Speaking on the alleged rifted between the NBA and the committee, Olawale said: “No, there is no crisis. People don’t need to look for crisis where there is no crisis.There are so many people here that have been going back and forth to Enugu to do their session.So, there is no crisis.There is no crisis.

“Ultimately, the Nigerian Bar Association will be part of this process. They are members of this branch.So, there is no crisis.The committee serves as the consultative, inclusive, Because we don’t have all the wisdom,and we cannot put the Nigerian Bar Association aside and say we know it all.

“we will look at what some of these laws that the Supreme Court has pronounced on…Of course, we have to look at the laws that the Supreme Court has pronounced upon.The ones that the Supreme Court has slowed down,we would recommend that the Supreme Court has slowed these laws down.

“They can no longer be part of our laws.So, ultimately, the vision is review laws,but focus on fairness and they arealso looking at economy.Many of these investors want certainty in our laws.It’s only when laws are certain,when laws are predictable,when laws are identifiable, that investors will come..

“So, apart from ensuring that our people have access to our laws as part of a good governance agenda of the administration, there is also the economic agenda,the commercial interest, to make sure that investors know that when they want to do business in Nigeria,the laws are clear and certain” he stressed.