Senate confirms law commission appointments of Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha, praising their merit and pledging support for legal reform in Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointments of Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas and Dr. Uchenna Eugene Okolocha to the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
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Professor Dakas will serve as Chairman, representing the North Central zone, while Dr. Okolocha will serve as Commissioner for the South-South.
The confirmation followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
The committee submitted its findings during Tuesday’s plenary session, where the report was considered and adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
According to the committee, the nominations were made in accordance with Section 2 (1) and (2) of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022.
This provision authorises the President to appoint a chairman and three commissioners, subject to the approval of the Senate.
Both Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha were screened on 25 June 2025. The third nominee, Professor Fatima Alkali, who was expected to represent the North East, declined the nomination and formally informed the Presidency of her decision.
The committee’s report noted that the nominees were seasoned legal professionals with distinguished academic and judicial records.
It also confirmed that neither faced any petitions or negative security reports. The report added that they demonstrated sound legal knowledge and integrity during the screening.
The Senate committee recommended that the Presidency should consider a new female nominee from the North East to maintain regional and gender balance within the commission. This recommendation was welcomed during the plenary discussions.
Senators from across party lines expressed support for the nominations. Senator Adams Oshiomhole described Professor Dakas’ qualifications as “intimidating,” noting that he had been a classmate of the nominee.
He praised his depth of knowledge and strong record in legal scholarship and reform. Senator Adebiade also spoke in favour of the appointments, echoing sentiments about the importance of credible leadership in reform institutions.
The final confirmation vote was unanimous. Following the approval, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the committee for its diligence and integrity throughout the process.
“We congratulate Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha on their confirmation and wish them fruitful service to the nation in good health and sound mind,” Akpabio said.
He also extended commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he termed “thoughtful and merit-based nominations.”
According to Akpabio, the nominations reflect a clear intent to prioritise reform, strengthen governance, and promote the rule of law in Nigeria.
Appointees to the Nigerian Law Reform Commission are expected to be distinguished legal professionals or former holders of high judicial office.
The commission plays a vital role in reviewing and recommending updates to outdated laws, aiming to ensure that Nigerian legislation remains responsive to the needs of modern governance and justice.
The Senate’s endorsement of these appointments reflects growing bipartisan support for reforming the nation’s legal system.
Observers suggest that the calibre of the appointees signals a renewed push to address long-standing legal bottlenecks and align Nigerian law with international standards.
With two of the three nominees now confirmed, attention turns to the Presidency to nominate a replacement for Professor Alkali in line with the Senate’s recommendation.
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The Nigerian Law Reform Commission will now resume its mandate with renewed leadership, amid high public expectations for legislative reform and legal innovation.
