Professor Fatima Alkali, a nominee for commissioner at the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC), has turned down her appointment.
The disclosure was made by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, during the presentation of the committee’s report at plenary on Tuesday.
Adegbonmire informed the Senate that Alkali, who was nominated to represent the North-East region, had communicated her rejection of the offer directly to the Presidency.
“The committee requested for, and received the curriculum vitae and other supporting documents of the nominees and invited them to appear before it for a screening exercise,” Adegbonmire said.
“On Wednesday, 25th June 2025, two of the nominees appeared before the committee. The third one, Professor Fatima Alkali, turned down the appointment.”
In light of her decision, the committee recommended that she be replaced by another female nominee from the North-East, citing the need for gender fairness.
The other two nominees; Dakas C.J. Dakas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from the North-Central, and Okolocha from the South-South — were screened and cleared by the committee.
“The nominees possess the requisite qualifications, leadership qualities and comportment to discharge the statutory duties and functions of the offices of chairman and commissioner of the commission,” Adegbonmire said.
“The committee is satisfied about their qualifications, experience, suitability, competence and integrity to assume the position of the chairman and full-time commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.”
He also confirmed that no petitions or adverse reports were received against any of the nominees.
Following the report, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, and the two nominees were unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
Professor Alkali is a seasoned academic in the field of International Humanitarian Law, currently lecturing at Nile University, Abuja.
With over 19 years of teaching experience across three Nigerian universities, she has built a strong reputation in legal academia.
The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) was established in July 1979 under the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, Cap N118, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
It works closely with the Attorney General of the Federation, advising on reforms, reviewing existing laws, and securing necessary funding to carry out its mandate.
