On Tuesday, the Senate approved the appointment of Dr. Uchenna Eugene Okolocha as the South-South Commissioner and Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas as the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
According to reports, the confirmation came after the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters—chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire of Ondo Central—presented and adopted a report during plenary.
Sections 2 (1) and (2) of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022, which give the President the authority to name a Chairman and three Commissioners, subject to Senate confirmation, were used to make the appointments.
Only two of the three nominees, Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha, showed up for the June 25, 2025 screening, according to the committee report.
According to reports, Professor Fatima Alkali, the third nominee and a native of the Northeast, informed the Presidency of her desire to withdraw the candidacy.
The committee said that both applicants were competent, had no negative security reports or petitions against them, and fulfilled all professional and constitutional standards.
In order to preserve regional and gender balance, the panel suggested that a new nominee from the Northeast—ideally a woman—be taken into consideration.
Senators alternately praised the nominees’ credentials, especially that of Professor Dakas, a well-known constitutional law specialist and former attorney general of Plateau State.
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Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the politician who represented Edo North and took part in the debate, 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.”
Similar views were expressed by Senator Adebiade (Osun Central), who urged the appointees to fulfill the Commission’s responsibility to promote prompt legal reforms in Nigeria.
The Senate unanimously approved the nominations of Dr. Okolocha (South-South) as Commissioner and Professor Dakas (North-Central) as Chairman after the discussion.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio complimented the candidates for their achievements and commended the Judiciary Committee for its hard work.
“We wish Professor Dakas and Dr. Okolocha a prosperous career serving the country in good health and sound mind, and we congratulate them on their confirmation,” Akpabio stated.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the “considerate and merit-based nominations that demonstrate the administration’s dedication to bolstering Nigeria’s legal institutions.”
