The Senate passed the Legal Practitioners Act Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2026 and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Amendment Bill 2026 on Thursday.
The bills were approved after the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented its reports. The committee is chaired by Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Mr Adegbonmire, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), explained that the Legal Practitioners Bill will replace the current Legal Practitioners Act. This new bill aims to create a modern system for Nigeria's legal profession.
He mentioned that the committee carefully examined the legislation. They suggested changes to strengthen the regulation of lawyers and improve access to justice.
Mr Adegbonmire said the legal profession is essential to the rule of law. He believes Nigeria deserves a clear and trustworthy system for regulating lawyers.
“The committee is satisfied with the recommended amendments. The bill will provide the framework required for effective regulation of the legal profession,” he said.
The committee also shared its report on the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Amendment Bill. They advised that this bill should also be passed with changes after careful legislative consideration.
According to the senator, this bill aims to create a Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency. This agency will have the legal power to manage assets that have been recovered.
He added that the proposed agency will handle the recovery, preservation, management, and disposal of properties suspected to be linked to illegal activities in Nigeria.
“The bill addresses a genuine gap in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. Its objectives are legitimate, its necessity is urgent, and its provisions serve the public interest,” he said.
After reviewing the reports, the Senate moved into the Committee of the Whole. They examined the bills section by section, approved the reports, and read both bills for the third time before passing them.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the Judiciary Committee for their hard work in reviewing the bills.
Mr Akpabio also thanked the senators for their support. He noted that passing these bills will improve Nigeria's legal and institutional systems.
“I pray that those implementing these laws will act with honesty, accountability, and integrity in the best interest of Nigeria,” he said.
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