AN Abuja based lawyer, Anthony Agbonlahor has called for the review of obsolete laws to fast track the dynamics of development.

Agbonlahor made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The lawyer said that some of the obsolete laws should be revoked to suit contemporary best practice.

“Modern law practice requires aggressive law reforms so as to meet the yearnings of people who are in search of justice,’’ Agbonlahor said.

According to him, Nigeria’s problem has to do with its inability to implement existing laws and some of the laws are obsolete and do not meet the challenges of modern practice.

“The legislature, therefore, has the responsibility to review these obsolete laws and enact new ones in line with existing changes,” he said.

Agbonlahor said the function of an updated law in transforming the nation’s economy “cannot be overemphasised because law has its pride of place’’.

He described law as an essential instrument for reform since all aspects of lives were governed by laws.

“But if the extant laws are inefficient, problems shall arise. We cannot regulate morality, but as long as our laws are cogent, it shall address our present issues,’’ he said.

Agbonlahor said up-to-date laws helped to re-engineer the society by upholding the standards set for good governance.

On Nigerian criminal laws, he said they needed to be reviewed and updated to ensure that the so many aspects benefited the poor masses.

“In fact, it’s pathetic when you find out that the law does not apply the same way between a Nigerian charged with money laundering and a petty thief,” he said.

Agbonlahor stressed the need for the country to uphold the rule of law for it to be truly democratic.

“The rule of law must be fully implemented if the country is to blossom economically.

“Therefore, unnecessary obstructions to justice dispensation should be removed by ensuring the laws are updated,’’ he urged.

The legal practitioner said this would encourage investors to invest in the country because they would have confidence that the laws of the land would adequately protect them. (NAN)

– Apr. 5, 2018 @ 18:37 GMT

AE