Abuja – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday named a 12-member committee to carry out a fresh review of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Laws.

The NBA President, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), who read out the names of members of the committee to newsmen, however, did not announce the specific areas of the Constitution that they would review.

Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), a former president of the NBA, is Chairman of the committee.

Others members are Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also a former president of the association, Mr Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Mr Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) and Mr Mike Mamman (SAN).

Others are Mr Wole Aina, Dr Garba Tetengi, Mrs Hauwa Shekarau, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, Mrs Boma Ozobia, Mrs Olivia Agbojo and Mr Emmanuel Aguma.

Daudu,who gave the committee six weeks to submit its report, said members were expected to look at the general provisions on the nature of the Constitution itself, the country and its territorial make-up.

Others areas include the powers and functions of the executive, legislature and the judiciary, the local government, creation of states as well as the amendments of the Constitution and maintenance of law and order.

Others are citizenship, fundamental rights, code of conduct issues, election tribunal and oaths, among others.

Daudu said the 1999 Constitution, more than anything else, needed amendment of some of its important aspects, in order to consolidate democracy.

The committee, he added, would receive memoranda on all aspects of the Constitution that required amendment, in order to allow the public to state their recommendations.

The committee is also expected to organise town hall meetings in major cities in the country, and generate input, particularly, from lawyers.

Daudu said the recommendations of the committee would be presented to the National Assembly in order to sensitise the law makers before they embarked on the amendment of the Constitution.

He reiterated NBA’s commitment to the “Nigerian Project”.

“The NBA does not desire or wish the demise of the Nigerian Project. We will be pulling our resources and personnel behind this veritable Nigerian Project.’’

Responding on behalf of other members, Agbakoba said that no useful purpose would be achieved “when people complain and at the same time, choose not to make a difference”.

He promised that the committee would diligently carry out its assignment.

He called for the support of NBA members, and pledged that the committee would submit its report within the time allotted to it. (NAN)