Edo State Conference Calls for Local Government Autonomy

The maiden Conference of All Law Reform Commissions in Nigeria, hosted by the Edo State Law Reform Commission at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City from September 28 to 29, resulted in a communiqué advocating for comprehensive legislative reforms. The conference, themed “Consolidating Nigeria’s Democracy through Law Reform: Charting the Way Forward,” featured an opening address by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and a keynote address by Wale Fapohunda, SAN, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The communiqué, signed by Prof. Donald Inegbedion and Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, emphasized the need for local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, and a review of the Exclusive Legislative List. It also called for a balance between national security and human rights, urging civil society to monitor potential abuses.

Participants advocated for reforms in police investigation procedures and mechanisms to ensure that increased local government funding translates into improved services for citizens.