The Lagos State Law Reform Commission was inaugurated in March 2012 to oversee the operation of all sectors of the laws of Lagos State in order to ensure their systematic, progressive development and reform in accordance with changes in social attitudes and prevailing norms, both in the Nigerian and international legal community.
Olasupo Shasore, chairman of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, said the critical objective of the project was that all laws had to be amended, repealed or replaced in a timely manner consistent with the government mandate on the rule of law. The many outdated laws on the books in Lagos are ill-suited to support modern deterrence and corrective purposes in a city-state experiencing high levels of urbanisation. According to Keith Nichols, Thomson Reuters managing director for Africa, this speaks volumes about how Nigerian laws have developed around the changes that have taken place in the society.
"Our mandate with the State of Lagos is to ensure the published compendium adheres to international best practice and provides a more a simplified legal code that, ultimately, will engender greater fairness and commitment to human rights, as well as respect for the law," said Nichols.
"Laws must be kept relevant and up-to-date in order to provide certainty and predictability to all who use them or are affected by them. We are keen to help governments throughout Africa that seek to achieve this and modernise their legal system. Our global capabilities, as well as our long history of supporting the legal sector around the world, mean we are uniquely positioned to do this."
Nichols added that this project is aimed at positioning Nigeria for future economic growth as an investment hub for West Africa, as well as sending an emphatic message to the rest of the investment world that it promotes business with a sincere respect for the rule of law. "The project takes on added significance given that Lagos is likely to set the model for many more Nigerian states to commence their own law reform process," said Nichols.
