In a National Constitutional dialogue held in Lagos in honor of the late Ben Nwabueze, the Pioneer Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, prominent Nigerian lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, expressed his strong belief that Nigeria needs a new constitution rather than an amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
According to the legal luminary, no amount of amendments can cure the flaws in the current constitution, which was handed over to Nigerians by military leaders.
Instead, Ozekhome suggests that a new constitution should be created through a referendum, allowing the people to have a say in the shaping of their nation's laws.
Ozekhome's remarks come at a time when the National Assembly has set up Committees to review and amend the country's law.
However, the senior lawyer argues that a new constitution would better address pressing issues such as the creation of state police, a topic that has been a subject of debate in Nigeria.
The lawyer believes that the current constitution does not adequately provide for state police, and he dismisses the argument that state police would be prone to abuse.
He maintains that a new constitution should include provisions for state police, as it would be a more effective way to ensure the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.
In his speech, Ozekhome also highlighted the fact that the 1999 Constitution was never subjected to a referendum, and was instead attached as a mere schedule to Decree Number 24 of 1999.
This, he argues, makes it impossible to amend the document effectively, as it is fundamentally flawed.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the question of constitutional reform, the views of influential legal minds like Mike Ozekhome will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the country's future.
Whether the nation will ultimately adopt a new constitution or continue to amend the existing one remains to be seen, but the conversation is sure to continue as the country strives to create a more just and equitable society.
