Post Graduate Students Of UniAbuja Hold 2nd Edition Of Annual Special Lecture On Legislative Drafting [PHOTOS]
The Legislative Drafting Post Graduate Students of the University of Abuja’s Law Faculty had their 2nd Edition of their Annual Special Lecture on Legislative Drafting with the topic “Common Errors and Practical Problems in Legislative Drafting.”
The event was chaired by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN a Life Bencher who in his opening remarks, made reference to the urgent need for the National Assembly and Legislative Draftsmen to synchronize existing and amended laws to form a single statute, rather than referencing one to different statutory documents.
The guest lecturer, Mrs Sarah-Hope Tebira who is the Deputy Director (Legal), Drafting Dept., Directorate of Legal Services of the National Assembly, in her paper stated that intense pressure for time, poor understanding of the legislative drafting principles or non-experts engaging in legislative drafting may result in mistakes in expressions in legislative text. She noted however that, it is natural to expect minimal errors and some problems in this regard, since it is only legislation drafted in the realm of the divine that can turn out perfect.
Vice Chancellor Professor Na’Allah Abdulrasheed was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Phillip Afaha at the event. Other dignitaries in attendance were Peter Ajadobi, Esq who represented Chief Dr. Chukwudi Nweke, former Vice- Chairman of the Bwari branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Professor Mohammed Mukhtar; the Head of Department, Professor JJ Ndana; a law Lecturer, Dr. Usman and the Course legislative course Lecturer, Dr. U.E. Okolocha.
The event was mind blowing as the guest lecture was all encompassing and enlightening. There were presentations of awards and Certificates of Participation to students and guests alike.
The Post Graduate students’ representative and Planning Committee Chairman, Prince Wayne Chikezie Elijah Esq. in his vote of thanks, noted that Legal instrument drafters should ensure that there are little or no errors in their drafting, as those little errors can cause a grave miscarriage of justice.
He appreciated all attendees and his fellow students and non-students present before the occasion came to an end.
