Senate Approves Dakas’ Appointment as Law Reform Commission Chairman

The appointment of Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas as Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and Dr. Uchenna Eugene Okolocha as Commissioner representing the South-South was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday.
According to reports, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), presented and adopted a report at plenary following the confirmation.
The Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022, Sections 2 (1) and (2), which give the President the authority to name a Chairman and three Commissioners, subject to Senate confirmation, was used to make the appointments.

Only Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha, two of the three nominees, showed up for the June 25, 2025 screening, according to the committee report.
Professor Fatima Alkali, the third nominee and a native of the Northeast, reportedly informed the Presidency of her decision to withdraw the candidacy.

“Both nominees have shown competence, fulfilled all professional and constitutional requirements, and are free of petitions or negative security reports,” the committee said.

The panel suggested that in order to preserve gender and geographical balance, a fresh nominee from the Northeast—ideally a woman—be taken into consideration.

Members of the Senate alternately praised the nominees’ qualifications, especially that of Professor Dakas, a well-known constitutional law specialist and former attorney general of Plateau State.

Lawmaker Adams Oshiomhole, who also took part in the discussion and represented Edo North, called Dakas’ legal and intellectual credentials “intimidating,” adding that “many of us in this chamber were his classmates and can attest to his brilliance and character.”

Osun Central Senator Adebiade expressed similar views, calling on the appointees to fulfill the Commission’s responsibility to promote prompt legal reforms in Nigeria.

Dr. Okolocha (South-South) was appointed Commissioner and Professor Dakas (North-Central) was appointed Chairman after the Senate overwhelmingly approved their nominations.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed his gratitude to the Judiciary Committee for their hard work and to the candidates for their achievements.

“We wish Dr. Okolocha and Professor Dakas a prosperous career serving the country in good health and sound mind, and we congratulate them on their confirmation,” Akpabio said.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what he called “considerate and merit-based nominations that reflect the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s legal mechanisms.”