Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has restated the commitment of his administration to deepen democracy and rule of law especially by carrying out prompt periodic review of obsolete laws to bring them in tune with current realities for relevance and effectiveness.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja, while inaugurating the new board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission (LSLRC), said such periodic review was important to him in achieving the goal of creating an enabling environment for investors, entrepreneurs and making Lagos globally competitive.
The Governor said it is a widely acknowledged fact that all modern and civilized societies thrive on the quality of laws which regulate and guide the actions of government, organizations, individuals and institutions, and that the dynamics of law relative to time and circumstances however demands that such laws are revisited periodically to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.
While recalling the statutory role of LSLRC of facilitating the process of reviewing the State laws with a view to making appropriate recommendations for the repeal or amendment of such laws or provisions that have become obsolete, Governor Ambode said the Commission had made commendable progress since 2012 when it was established, and cited the recent presentation of the compiled laws of the State.
The Governor however urged members of the newly inaugurated board to expedite action on the creation of electronic portal which will provide access to the laws of the State online from anywhere in the world.
Governor Ambode said: “This is a major project which the new board has the responsibility to deliver in record time because is very vital to the success of our drive to attract investors to our State.”
“Members of the board have been carefully selected based on merit, experience and knowledge of the law. I therefore have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver on the Commission’s mandate. I look forward to your recommendations and inputs from consultations with stakeholders,” the Governor said.
Chairman of the newly inaugurated board is Professor Gbolahan Ellias (SAN), while members are Dr. Omogbai Omo-Eboh, Mr. Ademola Kamar Adisa Sadiq, Mrs. Adeshola Williams and Mrs. Tola Akinsanya. Mrs. Ade Adeyemo
is expected to serve as Ex
ecutive Secretary
Speaking earlier at the inauguration, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said the past board was inaugurated on March 12, 2012, and was dissolved by Governor Ambode on June 15, 2015 in accordance with the provision of the law establishing the Commission as amended in 2012.
Responding, Professor Ellias, who spoke on behalf of other members, thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would do all within the confines of the law to executive the mandate fearlessly and conscientiously.