…Senate Confirms 2 Others
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed two out of three nominees for key leadership positions in the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC), following the presentation of a report by its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
However, the third nominee, Professor Fatima Alkali, who was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to represent the North-East zone as a Commissioner, declined the appointment.
The development was revealed by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), during Tuesday’s plenary.
Presenting the report, Adegbonmire informed lawmakers that the committee had thoroughly reviewed the credentials of all the nominees before proceeding with the screening.
“The committee requested for, and received the curriculum vitae and other supporting documents of the nominees and invited them to appear before it for a screening exercise,” he said.
According to him, “On Wednesday, 25th June 2025, two of the nominees appeared before the committee. The third one, Professor Fatima Alkali, turned down the appointment.”
Alkali had reportedly communicated her rejection of the appointment to the presidency, prompting the committee to recommend that her slot be filled by another female nominee from the North-East region in the interest of gender balance and regional equity.
The two other nominees — Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas (SAN), from the North-Central, who was nominated to serve as Chairman of the Commission, and Mr Uchenna Okolocha from the South-South — successfully went through the screening process and were cleared without any controversy.
Adegbonmire noted that both men were found qualified for their respective roles.
“The nominees possess the requisite qualifications, leadership qualities and comportment to discharge the statutory duties and functions of the offices of chairman and commissioner of the commission,” he stated.
He added, “The committee is satisfied about their qualifications, experience, suitability, competence and integrity to assume the position of the chairman and full-time commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.”
The committee further confirmed that no petition or adverse report was received against any of the nominees.
Subsequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, after which the Senate approved the appointments of Professor Dakas and Mr Okolocha.
Meanwhile, a new nominee is expected to be presented by President Tinubu to fill the North-East slot left vacant by Professor Alkali’s withdrawal. There are strong indications that the replacement will also be a female candidate, in line with the committee’s recommendation for gender fairness.
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