Lagos State Ministry of Justice

    LASG Encourages Victims of Harm To Take Advantage Of Restorative Justice

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    The Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has urged the general public, especially victims of harm, to take advantage of Restorative Justice(RJ) in the State as it is an alternative to incarceration or statutory punishment for minor offences. The State’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, stated this during an interview session on Lagos Traffic Radio, Ikeja on Tuesday to create awareness about restorative justice for victims and it’s benefits for the society as part of activities lined up to celebrate “Y2021 Restorative Justice Week” She noted that the State’s Ministry of Justice under the leadership of the Commissioner for Justice and attorney-general, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has continued to ensure speedy dispensation of justice as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S development Agenda , which is key to an effective administration of justice in the State. Adeyemi noted that Restorative Justice is about finding a way to establish communication between the offender and the victim. “For offenders, the RJ program offers an opportunity to take responsibility for the harm they have caused and likewise the victims; it aims to reduce the feeling of anger”. Expatiating more on RJ, Adeyemi noted that Restorative Justice seeks to promote and maintain healthy relationship between the offender and victim; respecting and listening to the opinions of the public as people are more likely to forgive when they tell their stories, repairing any harm done by offenders and ensuring that the parties involved in the crime do not go back to cause more harm in the society. In addition, she said the Restorative Justice program will further decongest the courts, correctional facilities and also ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the State. The Coordinator Prison Fellowship Nigeria and Member of the Lagos State Restorative Justice, Mr. Benson Iwuagwu, during the media appearance stated that the Restorative Justice Week has been celebrated annually to acknowledge the impacts and achievements of the RJ approach and its application in Nigeria while Lagos is hosting this year’s edition. “Some of the benefits of Restorative Justice includes enhancing community involvement in the dispute resolution process, helping the victims and offenders live with the burden of offence and preventing re-offending”. Iwuagwu said Restorative Justice Processes have great potential to empower victims and survivors of crimes and offer them closure, stating that RJ can serve victims of different types of crime most especially minor cases. The coordinator also mentioned that the people affected by the crime should be able to take part in the resolution which can also be therapeutic to victims, offenders and the society at large. The Director Public Prosecutions however added that residents can contact the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State for more information on Restorative Justice.

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    Lagos Commemorates Restorative Justice Week.

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    The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice celebrates this year’s restorative justice week, a week set aside in the third week of November to create awareness about the role and importance of restorative justice practices as it relates to the promulgation of the ethos of justice based on putting victims first as well as giving them a voice.  According to a release signed by the Lagos State Restorative Justice Steering Committee, this year’s event with the theme ” Protect and Empower the Person Harmed” is to create awareness about restorative justice for victims, the benefits it can create for society as well as addressing injustices and harm in a humane way.  This year’s theme is also apt given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on victims of crimes and the justice system according to the statement. Other activities earmark for this year includes sensitisation programmes, community outreach and a webinar for stakeholders which is scheduled for Tuesday, 30th November.  The State is also set to launch the Restorative Justice Centre which will serve as the coordinating hub for RJ referrals. The week is is observed by diverse groups involved in restorative justice including Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), government departments, academic and other stakeholders in the justice system.  Restorative Justice is a method used for dealing with a crime that puts the needs of victims first while the offender takes responsibility for their actions. This practice focuses on addressing conflict through participation and reconciliation. The Lagos State Restorative Justice Steering Committee was established by the State Criminal Justice Reform Committee to create awareness and develop policies as well as an operational framework for implementing Restorative Justice.  In addition to deploying restorative justice as a tool for decongesting correctional facilities across the State, it will also promote peaceful communities, transforms criminal justice system, heals wounds of crime as well as reintegration of offenders.  Members of the Committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice; Judiciary, Correctional Service, Police, Prison Fellowship Nig., Multi-door CourtHouse, Citizens Mediation Center(CMC) as well as the academia.

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    OPD Wins Compensation For Wrongful Termination Of Contract Over Health Status

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    OPD Wins Compensation For Wrongful Termination Of Contract Over Health Status The Lagos State government through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has won the sum of over Two million naira for a former worker ( name withheld ) of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, Lagos for wrongful termination of employment, stigmatization, embarrassment, psychological and emotional trauma. The company is also to pay the former staff the sum of One hundred thousand naira as the cost of action. Delivering judgement in the case, Hon. Justice Ikechi Nweneka of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division said the Defendant ( Ocean Marine  Solutions Limited) did not provide the Claimant with a contract of employment in breach of the Labour Act, and threw  the Claimant into the society without support whatsoever. The court said further that the Defendant showed  flagrant  disregard for the Claimant’s fundamental rights  to privacy, dignity and freedom from discrimination on account of her HIV positive status. There were several attempts at negotiated settlement by the Citizens’ Mediation Centre but it proved abortive  hence OPD waded in and took  legal  action against the company on behalf of the sacked worker. The former worker  was employed by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited as a cleaner in 2017 and in April of 2018, she was directed by the company with other five staff to go for a medical examination at a private medical centre on Victoria Island, Lagos. The company did not inform her of the nature of the medical test and the result was not disclosed to her, but was sent directly to the company upon which the Human Resources and Administrative Managers at various times confronted her and demanded if she had done HIV test during the birth of her children. She responded in the negative and was thereafter directed to go home and take HIV test. Same-day after the directive to go home, she began to receive sympathy, discriminatory and embarrassing messages from her colleagues and was forced to undergo another round of test before being directed not to return to  the office until receipt of the test result. She was not told the nature of the test when she demanded to know and not counselled before it was done. The result was also sent to the company which led to her being locked out of the company’s  premises  by its management and subsequent termination  of her employment. The company in its defence, denied all her claims and said it did not schedule her for HIV test but full medical test. That  a consent form was provided for her by the health facility but because she could not read English, her colleagues filled the form for her and she signed it. The court upheld the worker  submission as presented and argued by  OPD  Counsel and awarded compensation to the Claimant. The Defendant company has since paid the judgment sum through the Office of the Public Defender to the Claimant and the former worker has collected the bank draft in satisfaction of the judgment debt.  Speaking on the case, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN lauded the judgement and said days of impunity, unlawful termination of employment contract based on sex discrimination, religion and health status are over in Lagos state while assuring residents of the protection of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He therefore urged residents of the state to approach the Office of the Public Defender for free legal services.

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    CMC Trains WAPA Staff On Mediation Practice

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    In furtherance of the commitment to enhance and facilitate Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR), advance knowledge and promote mediation practice, the Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) on Thursday trained some staffs from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in a bid to achieve amicable resolution of disputes. Speaking to participants at the training held at the CMC headquarters in Ikeja, the Director for Citizens’ Mediation Center, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, explained that the training would enable the participants to acquire mediation skills needed in settling domestic violence, family disputes amongst others, adding that the training would also equip them with basic mediation proficiency. “Mediation is appropriate only for parties who are willing to participate in the process. Like negotiation, mediation seeks a ‘win-win’ outcome for the parties involved”. Oseni added. In her paper presentation titled “Mediation and Alternative Disputes Resolution Spectrum” the Deputy Director, CMC, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju averred that a mediator is a driver of mediation who employs all relevant technical know-how and skills to help disputing parties achieve the resolution they desire. According to her, these techniques will enable a mediator to find a common ground by identifying the problems, proffering solutions to avoid disparities between the parties involved after a resolution has been reached. Mrs. Adesomoju further urged participants of the program, to pay rapt attention during the training sessions so as to have excellent knowledge of mediation and its applications. “Mediation aims to assist participants to communicate with one another now and in the future and to reduce the scope or intensity of dispute arising from conflict. She stated. She highlighted poor communication, self-interest, lack of compromise, desire for power amongst others as part of the major causes of conflict. She therefore, urged mediators to thoroughly address the causes of the conflict and provide a long lasting solution to the problems for amicable resolution of disputes. In the same vein, the Chief State Counsel, Mrs. Sade Ajiboye during her presentation titled Mediation and Domestic Violence stressed that through mediation, domestic violence can be avoided when a mediator handling the matter employs required techniques and skills. She however reiterated that the issue of domestic violence needs to be taken seriously as parties involved need to be thoroughly counseled by showing them the aftermath of their actions and the adverse effects on the family.

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    LASG Sensitizes Stakeholders On Plea Bargain And District Prosecutor’s Scheme.

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    As part of its efforts in the continuous decongestation of correctional facilities across the State and ensuring quick dispensation of justice, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday held a stakeholder’s meeting to further enhance and promote plea bargain and district prosecutor’s scheme of the State Government. Addressing participants at the meeting which was an hybrid version of both physical and online, the Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo(S.A.N) noted that the meeting presents an opportunity to create more awareness about the Plea Bargain and the District Prosecutors Scheme as well as a platform to receive feedback from stakeholders on how to improve and further strengthen the Plea Bargain and District Prosecutor Scheme. According to the Attorney General, The District Prosecutor Scheme took off in April 2020 following the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Police Prosecutors at the Magistrate Courts, chaired by Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey (former Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice), to set up a review mechanism that will ensure residents are not unnecessarily detained for charges that are civil in nature. “Based on these recommendations, Mr. Governors approval was sought and with the cooperation of the Lagos State Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice deployed District Prosecutor’s to three (3) Magistrates Courts (Ebute-Metta. lkorodu, Ogba) to vet charges prior to filing and ensure case files submitted for remand meet the evidential threshold required by law”. “Seeing the huge impact of this scheme, Lagos State Government extended the services to all Magistrate Court Houses across the State”. Onigbanjo noted. The commissioner also stated that plea bargain has served as an important tool to keep the wheel of justice moving in a timely and cost-effective manner as it has helped decongest the extremely congested correctional facilities in the State as available data reveals that the facilities exceed their capacity by 100% with inmates awaiting trial at 85%. “To demonstrate our commitment towards the exercise, we took plea bargain a step further about four (4) months ago, when i led a team of Lawyers to the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Facility for a Plea Bargain sensitization exercise where more than 15 plea Bargain Agreements were executed onsite and sanctioned immediately by the Judges through Virtual Hearing”. Onigbanjo reiterated the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the administration of criminal justice in the State with the implementation of the use of video conferencing in criminal proceedings, Magistrates visits to Police Stations monthly, Prohibition of media parade of suspects, Remote Hearing, Award of compensation to victims of crime among others. He however sought the continued cooperation and partnership of stakeholders to implement the laudable initiatives. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey stated in her welcome address that the State Government has done a lot to improve on its administration of justice system with the various innovations designed by the state which has set the pace for other states. According to her , the Plea Bargain has also assisted in the decongestion of prisons and promotion of speedy dispensation of justice in Lagos State which isn’t restricted to particular persons but for everyone irrespective of the person’s status (rich or poor/illiterate or literate), race and tribe. She also stated that the Ministry recently introduced District Prosecutor’s Scheme following the recommendation of a committee set up by the Attorney General and has created district prosecutor offices in magisterial districts in the state to screen and vet charges before cases are filed and assigned to the magistrate courts. The Director Public Prosecution,Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Adeyinka Adeyemi noted that the essence of the workshop is to eliminate the perceived misconception on plea bargaining hence the need for the sensitisation programme for stakeholders in the legal community as well as the public. She however reiterated that the application for plea bargaining is free while noting that over 500 applications have been reviewed and considered. The State program coordinator of The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa noted that the body has partnered with the State’s ministry of justice on plea bargain with the training of judges, magistrates and prosecutors and also the development of a plea bargain manual to sensitise lawyers and also judicial correspondents on how to report plea bargain processes and outcomes accurately. She commended Lagos State for being a pacesetter in the administration of criminal justice system while urging other states in the federation to emulate the giant strides achieved by the State. Reiterating the importance of the District Prosecutor’s Scheme, a guest speaker and  former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey stated that the District Prosecutor (DP) duty is to ensure that the Attorney General prosecutorial mandate is properly represented at the district level, and that only cases that satisfy the “reasonable suspicion” clause of the 1999 constitution and the “probable case” provision of the ACJL are allowed to pass through the vetting process and end up before the magistrate for trial or remand. This he noted will reduce the issue of congestion of cases while abuse of prosecutorial power would be checked and matters concerning actual suspects will proceed speedily. In his submission, an Associate Professor of Public law at the University of Lagos, Dr. Akeem Bello stated that one of the strategies to decongest correctional facilities is the periodic review of case dockets to identify problematic cases that may be reconsidered for plea bargaining while noting that the negative public perception about plea bargain need to be addressed through a systematic engagement and enlightenment of the public. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Legal unit of the Nigerian Police Force, lawyers, district prosecutors, law firms, representatives from the correctional facilities in the State, amongst others. ALO GRACE DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF JUSTICE 22/10/21

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    Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Signs Administration Of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law Of Lagos State,2021

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    Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on the 30th of September 2021 assented to the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law [ACJL] of Lagos State, 2021. The ACJL was first passed in Lagos State in 2007 and amended in 2011 (more than ten (10) years ago) to ensure the Fundamental Rights of suspects and persons that come into contact with the justice system, as enshrined in the Constitution are protected. In a bid to further strengthen the justice system, promote the rights of victims and suspects as well as address the issue of delay in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Lagos State, key innovative provisions have been introduced as amendments to the Law. The provisions include conducting criminal proceedings through audio and video conferencing platform, powers of Chief Magistrate to visit Police Stations, prohibition of media parade of suspects, compensation to victims of crime, protective measures for victims and witnesses as well as the Establishment of a Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee to monitor the implementation of this Law. This further reinforces the commitment of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the promotion of Law & Order, Protection of rights of Citizens, decongestion of our Correctional Facilities and ensure a crime-free society in Lagos State. The Ministry of Justice through collaborative effort with Stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice will ensure the provisions of this law are enforced. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice 5th October 2021

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    MOJ Mentorship Programme

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    As part of our commitment towards enhancing capacities of young lawyers, the Ministry of Justice launched its Mentorship Programme, with 75 young State Counsel matched to Senior Lawyers. The Mentorship Programme which spans for 12 months will provide a great opportunity for State Counsel (Mentees) to connect with a Mentor who can inspire, advice and support the Mentees to build their career, enhance their leadership skills and in turn become excellent legal professionals. Our Mentors have been selected based on their depth of knowledge, sterling character and the impactful leadership capabilities attained in their field of work over the years. I therefore seize this opportunity to thank all our Mentors for partnering with the Ministry of Justice and we are excited to see the mentorship outcomes which will evolve from this initiative. All the best to our Mentees!

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    OPD Pays Coutersy Visit to Traffic Radio

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    The management of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos traffic radio. Speaking during the visit,  the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Babajide Martins said the visit was to explore area of cooperation and support the radio station can provide for the agency in the more news report and coverage of OPD activities. According to him, OPD was not oblivious of teeming population of Lagos residents, especially the indigent and vulnerable who are listeners of Traffic radio that need to know more about the agency in order to use its free legal services to the fullest. He further said that OPD  counsel are being regularly trained to deliver first class free legal services in line with the current administration philosophy of security and governace for the good people of the state. Receiving the management of OPD, the General Manager of Lagos traffic radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle said the radio station  through its services was unique and reliable when it comes to traffic news and this made the station first choice to radio listeners in the state and beyond ” the radio station has become darling of motorists and road users because of reliability of its traffic news, professionalism  and  timely dissemination of road news to the residents and visitors to the state alike” He assured Office of the Public Defender of the radio station readiness to support its efforts  to become more visible in the public space and delivery of statutory responsibility. The visit was in continuation of OPD management efforts to get more media coverage for its activities and enlightenment of the grassroots people in the state. Mamud Hassan Public Affairs Unit OPD, 30th September, 2021.

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    Lagos Sensitizes Epe, Ibeju Communities On Landgrabbing, Property Protection Law

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    Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, sensitized residents of Epe and Ibeju communities on the nefarious activities of Landgrabbers and the State Property Protection Law. The State Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice who is also the Chairman Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN who spoke at a Stakeholders meeting on Land grabbing held at Jata Hall, Ibeju said the rising cases of Land grabbing is an issue of great concern to the State Government. “As part of the effort to address the issue of land grabbing in the state, the Lagos State Government enacted a law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in the State” Onigbanjo stated. He said resolving land grabbing issues is of great importance to the Sanwo-olu Administration. The Attorney- General who was represented by the Director, Office of the Public Defender , Dr. Babajide Martins stated that the menace of Land grabbers has imparted negatively on the growth of the real estate industry and investment. “It is a fact that property transactions in Lagos State have been greatly hindered by the activities of the Omo-Onile and Ajagungbales Martins said. While delivering a paper on the theme, “ Land grabbers, the Law and your Rights”, Martins, emphasized that the law on land grabbing that was enacted in 2016 still stands regardless of one’s status in the society. He explained some of the provisions of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016 and ln particular, Section 2(1) of the Law, which prohibits the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any landed property or engaging in any act inconsistent with the proprietary rights of the owner of any landed property in Lagos . Also, the Oba Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, said that Land grabbers for decades have constituted a threat to property acquisition in Lagos, saying that there has been alarming reports of Land grabbing. While acknowledging the State Government efforts at curbing Land grabbing in Lagos, Oba Ogunsanwo noted that the community also has an important role to play in the ‘Greater Lagos initiative’. Ogunsanwo , however, implored the State Government and the Police to ensure immediate prosecution of identified land grabbers and their sponsors to serve as deterrent to other citizens.

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    Osibajo Meets With Southwest Attorneys -General

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    The Southwest Attorneys-General (SWAG) met on Tuesday, 21st September 2021 with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja to exchange views on several issues of national importance and discuss ongoing reforms in their various states. The Vice-President being a former Attorney General of Lagos State is considered by many to be the godfather of modern day justice sector reforms in Nigeria with his unrivaled accomplishments as the Attorney-General of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. The Vice President during his time as Lagos State Attorney-General introduced a new way of thinking in the areas of access to justice and the administration of criminal justice by trailblazing many of the justice sector reforms still being rolled out today across the Federation. One of the areas the Vice-President asked the Attorneys – General to prioritise is, the issue of delay in the administration of justice in their respective states. He acknowledged their current individual efforts in this regard while enjoining them  to work together to deepen the impact of reforms aimed at tackling the challenge of delay in the administration of Justice

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