June 2021 – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

LASG Arraigns Pastor for Alleged Landgrabbing, Forgery

Posted on June 30, 2021

The Lagos State Government on Friday 25th June 2021, arraigned one Rev. Godwin C. Godwin before a Special Offences Court sitting in Oshodi over alleged forging of documents and illegal sale of a plot of Land at Lekki Scheme1 area of the State. Rev. Godwin C. Godwin, a Pastor at Christ Salvation Divine Ministries International, was arraigned on a six-count charge by the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers. He is alleged to have illegally sold the plot of Land belonging to one Mrs. Halima Abdul – Malik situated at Block 108, Plot 8, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, within Eti -Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State before his arrest on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 and subsequent arraignment. According to the Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers, Owolabi Arole, Rev Godwin was arrested following the investigation of a petition against him by the Law Office of Paul Onyeka & Co, Legal Practitioner on behalf of 83year old, ailing Mrs. Halima Abdul Malik. He said, ” The Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers arraigned Rev. Godwin on a six- count charge before Chief Magistrate Micheal Olubi on Friday after detailed investigation on the Landgrabbing matter between the two parties “. Among the six -count charge are: One, Rev. Godwin and others in month of May – June 2021 at Block 108, Plot 8, Lekki Scheme 1, within Eti -Osa Local Government Area of Lagos conspired to commit felony contrary to section 411 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Two, He resorted to self-help in the recovery of possession and engaged in acts inconsistent with Mrs. Halima Abdul Malik proprietary right contrary section section 2(2) of Lagos State Properties Law 2016. Three, Rev Godwin is accused of threat of violence in the recovery of possession of landed property belonging to Mrs. Halima Abdul -Malik contrary to section 3 (1) of Lagos State Properties Law 2016. While in Count four and five, the defendant is accused of illegal sale of land belonging to Mrs. Halima Abdul -Malik and fraudulently converting the sum of Two Hundred and Thirty Million Naira being proceeds from the sale, to personal use. Contrary to section 8 (1) Lagos State Properties Law 2016 and section 280 (1b) Lagos State Criminal Justice Law 2015. In count six, the defendant is accused of forcefully entering into landed property and maliciously destroying the gate and fence of the landed property belonging to Mrs. Halima Abdul -Malik. Rev Godwin pleaded not guilty, while his Counsel applied to the court to grant him bail in most liberal terms. The Counsel argued that the offences for which their clients were charged are bailable, and that they were ready to defend the case. The Prosecutor, Mrs Ruqayat Shomade, a State Counsel with Lagos State Special TaskForce on Land Grabbers, Ministry of Justice did not oppose the bail application but urged the court to impose conditions which would make the defendant available for trial. In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Micheal Olubi granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N25 million Naira with two sureties who must be resident in Lagos State, and one of the sureties must be a land owner in the State, while the other must be at least a grade level 8 Public Servant or a Manager in a reputable company The sureties must also have 3 years tax clearance and registration with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA). The matter was adjourned to 22nd July, 2021. Kayode Oyekanmi Director Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 28th June, 2021

Lagos Court Sentences Trader to 25 Years Imprisonment for Rape

Posted on June 30, 2021

A Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja, on Friday, 25th June, 2021 sentenced a 43year old trader, Adelaja Oloyede, to 25 years imprisonment for raping a tailor at Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgement in suit no ID/8849C/19 between the State of Lagos vs Adelaja Oloyede. The defendant was earlier arraigned on 10th of April, 2019 by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice on a one- count charge of rape. Adelaja Oloyede who pleaded not guilty committed the crime of rape in 2017 at his residence on No. 2, Adelaja Str. Ikorodu, Lagos . The Prosecuting team led by Olusola Soneye, a deputy director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions said the victim, apart from being raped was sexually harrassed and coaxed to insert some fetish substance into her private part. He added that the victim who was a virgin before the incident pleaded with the defendant during the rape incident, but her plea fell on deaf ears. ” The defendant overpowered her, tore her underwear and raped her. As a result of the rape the victim fell ill and was treated in Kwara State”, Prosecuting Counsel, Olusola noted. The Prosecuting team presented before the court four Witnesses; the victim, her sister, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and a Medical doctor. The Prosecution also tendered the victim’s blood- stained underwear and a black- tie as exhibits to the Court. According to the victim, the defendant, forcefully had sexual intercourse with her and inserted a fetish substance in her private part afterwards. “I was on my way to church on the day of the incident, Oloyede shook my hands and thereafter I followed him to his house, where he led me into a room where there was numerous fetish items” “He asked me to kneel and he made several incantations” the victim explained. The victim told the court that she reported the crime to the authorities immediately after she left the defendant’s residence. Justice Abiola Soladoye found the defendant guilty of the charge of rape contrary to section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. She said that the Prosecution team had proved its case against the defendant beyond all reasonable doubts. Consequently, the defendant having been found guilty of the charge of rape was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Court. The Judge further ordered that Oloyede Adelaja should be registered as a Sex Offender in the Lagos State Sex Offender’s Register.

LASG Free Legal Consultation Exercise puts Smile on the Faces of Badagry Residents

Posted on June 27, 2021

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Thursday, extended its free legal consultations to the residents of Badagry community as part of a statewide free legal clinic exercise. According to the Deputy Director, Office of the Administrator General and Public Trustee (AG & PT), Mr Femi Alabi, the joint legal clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice to bring qualitative legal consultation and advice to the people. He stated that the initiative is in tandem with the “S” in the “THEMES” agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu which aims to ensure security of lives and properties as well as good governance to Lagosians irrespective of social class or status. Mr. Alabi added that the joint legal clinic comprises all legal service oriented directorates and agencies of the ministry which includes; Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit, Office of the Administrator-Generral & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), with team members of the listed directorates on ground at the auditorium of the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, Ajara, venue of today’s exercise. The deputy director noted that the free legal clinic had earlier been held in 3 divisions of the State, namely: Ikorodu Epe and Alimosho. The exercise which aims to provide free and easy access to legal consultations for the vulnerable members of the society. On his part, the Council Vice Chairman, Mr. Akotomeh Andrew, who represented the Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Hon. Onilude Adeniran, extended his appreciation to both the State Government and the management of the Ministry for not only conceptualising and initiating the exercise but for its bold steps in taking it the legal clinic to the nooks and crannies of the State. He urged the residents of Badagry to take full advantage of the legal services provided by the Ministry of Justice in order to ensure seamless alternative dispute resolution, easy dispensation of justice, and peaceful co-existence among the people of Badagry.

Lagos Solicitor- General Inaugurates MOJ Project Management Team

Posted on June 24, 2021

The Solicitor -General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey on Tuesday constituted the Project Management Team to manage the execution of Capital Projects in Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The Project Management Team was inaugurated in line with the Head of Service Circular dated 21st April, 2021 on Establishment and Composition of Project Management Team and in compliance with Section 28 Sub (1) of Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021. While inaugurating the MOJ Nine- member Project Management Team, the SG/PS noted that the team will be responsible for the overall decision on projects in compliance with business and ministerial responsibilities and the needs of the Ministry. The Nine- member Project Management Team for the ministry include, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Director, Administration & Human Resources, Adebimpe Adedipe, Director, Commercial Law, Kehinde Taiwo; Head, Planning ,Iretiola Ajayi, Director, Procurement, Abiodun Bisiriyu, Assistant Chief Planning Officer (CMC), Ogunbadejo Bamidele, Assistant Chief Architect, Arc. Abimbola Ashiru (Ministry of Works and Infrastructure), Chief Procurement Officer, Erisan Abosede Olapeju and Assistant Director Planning Lagos State Judiciary, Oyekanmi Oladele.

530 Inmates Take Advantage of Plea Bargain In Lagos

Posted on June 17, 2021

…as LASG takes plea bargain session to Kirikiri 530 inmates in Correctional Centres in Lagos State have so far taken advantage of the Plea Bargain protocol since it was introduced in the State in 2017. The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, made the disclosure at the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre in Lagos where he led officials of the ministry to a Plea & Sentence Bargain sensitisation session for Awaiting Trial Inmates. Onigbanjo said the process which is aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in Lagos State is in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s reform initiative in the administration of criminal justice in the State. The Attorney General explained that the Plea & Sentence Bargain process which is in collaboration with the Lagos State Command of the National Correctional Centre, the State Judiciary and the Lagos State Police Command will assist in efforts geared towards reducing the population of inmates awaiting trials in Correctional facilities in the State. He noted that the Plea Bargain option is aimed at Prison decongestion and not a ploy to compel inmates to plead guilty to lesser Charges. Onigbanjo said the severity of the offence, length of sentences and acceptance or rejection of the offers by the Judge are major determinants in a Plea Bargain process. He stated that 27 inmates in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre – 16 male and 11 females are beneficiaries of Thursday’s Plea Bargain session that will be replicated at the Ikoyi and Badagary Correctional Centres in Lagos State. The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey earlier in her welcome address, explained that the Plea Bargain process is in compliance with the Lagos State Justice Law 2015 and a testament to the State Government’s commitment to a robust Administration of Criminal Justice in the State. “We are here to correct the impression, that Plea Bargain is for the rich alone. It is for everyone whether they are literate or illiterate, rich or poor,” Shitta-Bey said. The Controller of Lagos State Command, Nigeria Correctional Centre, Adewale Adebisi said, inmates congestion is the major challenge in all Correctional facilities in the state. According to him; the Centres are struggling to cope with the congestion caused by 6,000 inmates standing trials. He noted that some of the inmates in Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Correctional Centres have been in custody for 10 to 12 years without trial or conviction. He urged inmates who have been standing trial for a long time to consider the Plea Bargain option.

LASG To Prosecute Employer Who Allegedly Poured Hot Water On Sales Girl

Posted on June 17, 2021

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday has announced the immediate prosecution of 50 year old, Mrs Rashidat Adeleke, for allegedly assaulting her 29- year-old sales lady by pouring hot water on her face at Ikotun Area of the State. The Director, Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said the rescue team stepped into the matter, following a report to the Directorate by the victim Ms. Akinola Bukola. She said, it was gathered that Alhaja Rashidat Adeleke, who owns Super King Mark Supreme Store at No. 35 Ayodele Ogunkoya Street off Governor’s Road, Ikotun area of Lagos, employed the victim as a sales lady in 2019. “She ended up residing with her due to high transportation fare and other stress related issues for the past 18 months before the ugly incident happened.” The Director further noted that, the victim narrated that her employer had the habit of abusing her at the slighted provocation. While narrating the ugly incident, the victim said two other sales representatives aged 10 and 14, fought at the store which resulted in some damages. “When they got home that fateful evening, Alhaja Adeleke asked the victim how the bangles on sale were damaged by the younger sale girls and she responded that she had no idea what actually happened” Alhaja Adeleke then angrily dragged her into the kitchen, locked her inside and asked the younger sales representatives if there was hot water available and they responded none was available. ” Rashidat Adeleke reportedly boiled water then poured it on the head of the victim. The victim tried to escape but was prevented by her. She reportedly boiled water the second time, poured it on her and the victim then collapsed. Despite being badly scalded, Alhaja Adeleke went ahead to flog the victim repeatedly. The Director, explained that the employer Rashidat Adeleke has been arrested and transferred to the Gender Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the SCIID, Panti, for prosecution. Taiwo Ade-Balogun Public Affairs Officer Directorate of Citizens Rights

LASG Offers Free Legal Consultation to Epe Residents

Posted on June 5, 2021

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has provided free legal consultations to the residents of Epe community on Thursday 3rd June 2021, as part of its continuous statewide legal clinic exercise. According to the Director for Citizens’ Rights, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, the Joint Legal Clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice to have a one-stop-shop for free legal consultation and other related matters for residents of Lagos State. She added that the Joint Legal Clinic team, comprising all legal service oriented directorates and agencies in the Ministry, which include: Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit, Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) were all represented at the Legal Clinic which held at Epe Local Government Secretariat. Odusanya noted that, the free Legal Clinic is scheduled to hold in all the 5 divisions of Lagos State namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos-Island and Epe, with the aim of reaching and providing easy access to legal consultations and representation for the indigent and vulnerable members of society. Speaking during the exercise, the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Jide Martins, had also explained that the Legal Clinic was specifically organised for the people at the grassroots of every community across the State in order to bring access to justice closer to the people, while sensitizing the residents on their Fundamental Human Rights. He said, “This initiative by the Ministry is in compliance with the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu which aims to promote and achieve security and good governance among the residents of Lagos State”. On his part, the Alara of Ilara land, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the residents of Epe Land, to take advantage of the services provided by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice as this will ensure social development and peaceful co-existence of people within the Epe Community. While attesting to the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, at ensuring speedy dispensation of Justice, even as the industrial action by Judicial staff lingers, he noted that his office, would continue to promote among Epe residents, the option of resolving conflicts through Mediation, using alternative dispute resolution platforms already provided by the State Government. While expressing his appreciation to the state government on behalf of the community, the General Secretary, Oloja in Council, the Odofin of Epe Land, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, commended the Ministry of Justice for bringing the Legal Clinic to their door steps as it affords them the opportunity of accessing within Epe community, qualitative legal consultations at no cost to them. Dayo Asanbe & Bola Okedunwon Public Affairs Officers Ministry of Justice 3rd June 2021

LASG Takes Witness Support Campaign to Bariga Residents

Posted on June 5, 2021

As part of efforts to ensure speedy dispensation of Criminal Justice in the State, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions Lagos State of Ministry of Justice, on Thursday sensitized the residents of Bariga LCDA on the importance of witnesses during court proceedings and the needed support available for them. The Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi assured the residents of the State Government’s unwavering support for witnesses through the Witness Support Unit. Ms. Oshinusi said the Witness Support Unit was established under the Directorate of Public Prosecutions a few years ago, to provide support to victims of crime and to ensure their protection from external forces. She added that the lackadaisical attitudes of residents towards crimes committed around them has led to an upsurge in crime in the State and country at large. “We are all guilty of the increased rate of crimes in our community and State on daily basis as we turn deaf ears to things happening around us as a result of fear” she said. The Director, however, urged the resident to be courageous in reporting crimes to the Police as good citizens and credible witnesses towards ensuring appropriate punishment under the law, is given to perpetrators of such Crimes. While responding to a question on the safety of Witnesses, Ms. Oshinusi noted that the Witness Support Unit collaborates with other government agencies to provide needed support to witnesses especially children and the vulnerable in the Community. “The witness support unit provides witnesses with numerous support as needed, ranging from psychosocial, financial to security, especially for Witnesses of assaults, defilement, rape, armed robbery amongst others” , she said. Also speaking at the sensitization programme, a Deputy -Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adesola Adekunle -Bello urged residents to shun all forms of intimidation as the unit will provide adequate protection to all witnesses during and after court proceedings. She added that all communication line between witnesses and the support unit is confidential. Mrs. Adekunle-Bello noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is keen on ensuring the effective administration of Criminal Justice in the State towards creating a crime-free environment for all. While commending the initiative of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, the Chairman Bariga LCDA, Hon. Alabi Kolade David assured that the Witness Support Sensitization Campaign will be taken to all Bariga residents inorder to attain a safe and peaceful community. Likewise, the Baale of Obanikoro, High Chief Kabiru Braimoh who applauded the State Government’s efforts in bringing Justice closer to the people through the Witness Support Sensitization Campaign implored the Ministry of Justice on the need to establish annex offices at all LCDA and LGA’s in the State .

LASG Rescues 11- Year -Old Girl, Assaulted by Father

Posted on June 2, 2021

The Directorate of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice has rescued a 11- year-old girl who was allegedly assaulted by her father. The minor was rescued after a neighbour on a street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos reported to the Directorate of Citizens Rights. Director, Citizens Rights, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said officials of the Ministry of Justice gathered that the assault on the girl occurred on several occasions before it was formally reported to the authorities. “The good neighbour stated that the 61 year old man who lost his wife, the mother of the victim and had remarried, was always in the habit of assaulting the victim and her Sibling”, the Director explained. She noted that the officials of Child Protection Unit, Lagos State ministry of Youth and Social Development has taken the alleged perpetrator to the Police for further investigations. The Director, Child Protection Unit, Mrs. Olubukayo Odukoya, said the victim will be taken to a government facility for a total rehabilitation. Taiwo Ade-Balogun Public Affairs Officer, Directorate of Citizens Rights

Month: June 2021