Senate confirms two nominees for NLRC, one declines appointment

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By Kunle Sanni –

The Senate has confirmed two of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) following a screening by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.

Those confirmed are Professor Dakas Dakas (SAN) as Chairman of the Commission and Uchenna Okolocha as Commissioner.

However, a third nominee, Professor Fatima Alkali, nominated to represent the North-East, declined the appointment.

Presenting the committee’s report during Tuesday’s plenary, committee chairman Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire explained that while all nominees were invited for screening, only Dakas and Okolocha appeared before the panel on June 25, 2025.

“Professor Fatima Alkali formally communicated her decision to reject the nomination to the Presidency and did not participate in the screening,” Adegbonmire told lawmakers.

The committee recommended that her position be filled by another qualified female nominee from the North-East to maintain regional representation and gender balance.

The confirmed nominees were described as “fit and proper persons” to serve on the commission, which is responsible for reviewing and reforming Nigeria’s legal framework.