2023 – Page 3 – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Lagos Showcase Achievements At 2023 NBA (SPIDEL) Annual Conference

Posted on June 26, 2023

The Lagos State Government recently , through the State’s Ministry of Justice, showcased some of its achievements at the j 2023 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) at Citadel Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos Speaking during the Lagos Showcase Session on Thursday,23rd June,2023,at the just concluded NBA (SPIDEL) Annual Conference, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-bey-Jeje noted that the constant reform of laws in the State is to enhance the administration of the criminal justice system while providing unabridged access to justice for all residents in the State She stressed that a total number of 25 bills have been passed and signed into law to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in the State “Lagos has always been an innovative State which creates people-oriented laws and policy design to make life better and safer for its people of diverse culture, race, nationality, religion and social status” she said. She further stated that the State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to enhancing the quality of service delivery of the State judiciary through renovations of various Magistrate and High Court buildings across the State, noting that 10 courts have been fully digitalized, as well creating an online platform where citizens of the State can visit to access all forms of legal advice. The Administrator-General and Public Trustee of the State,Mr. Oduyebo noted that the Office was established with the statutory responsibility of managing and equitably sharing Assets of Estates of persons who died interstate (without leaving a Will),but however,AG&PT can act on behalf of estate of deceased persons who left a Will especially when the Testator makes the agency as the executor of the Will. He emphasized that the agency has the mandate to manage and distribute the assets of the estates to the beneficiaries who have proved their relationship to the deceased in line with the relevant laws of the State He also revealed that individuals through the agency can obtain letters of administration in respect of estate under its management, amongst others. While speaking on the activities of the her unit, the Coordinator of the Special Task Force on LandGrabber, Miss. Rukayat Shomade, disclosed that over 7000 petitions have been received since the establishment of the agency in June, 2016. Shomade further stated that 2500 petitions have been treated with about 1500 petitions outside the State’s jurisdiction considered to be frivolous while stressing that 10 convictions have been made and 70 petitioners have fully recovered their property. Other Dignitaries at the event includes Lawyers, Directors, Counsel and other members of the bar and bench.

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTRE ORGANIZES SENSITIZATION PROGRAM ON VICTIM/OFFENDER MEDIATION

Posted on June 16, 2023

The Lagos Restorative Justice Centre domiciled in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday, at the Magistrate Court, Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba, Lagos, organized a sensitization program on victim/offender Mediation (VOM). The VOM provides interested victims an opportunity to meet their offender, in a safe and structured setting. Delivering the keynote address,the Chief Judge of Lagos State who also serves as the Chairman of Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee (CJSRC), Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba noted that the restorative system of justice is not alien but has been in existence for over three decades and in practice in other countries, hence the adoption by the State Justice System to ensure peaceful resolution of disputes. Justice Alogba ably represented by Hon. Justice Nicole Clay stated that the traditional justice system has suffered a great deal of setbacks with evident increase in the rate of crime, long prosecution process and overcrowding of correctional facilities amongst others. Whilst commending the RJ Team on a job well done, the Chief Judge also expressed his gratitude towards participants and wished everyone a fruitful deliberation. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey in her address stated that Restorative Justice is a form of alternative dispute resolution, deployed as a tool for decongesting less serious cases in the dockets of the court system and invariably the overcrowded correctional centres”. “In restorative justice, its processes are mindful with just one goal which is Justice and Healing for offender, victim and society”. Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey further stated that the establishment of the Lagos State Restorative Justice Centre is simply to raise awareness and build support for the restorative justice program as well as collaborating with relevant stakeholders in implementing this model of Justice. The Director, Community Service, Lagos Ministry of Justice,Mrs. Tomi Bodude stressed that community service is another important component of restorative justice used as a means of repairing damage to the community. “Court-ordered community service requires an offender to perform a specific number of hours of free work for a charitable agency, nonprofit organization, or governmental agency, and it can be ordered as a condition of probation or as an alternative to incarceration. Generally, a nonviolent offender is assigned to community service, and careful screening must occur to ensure that the offender is appropriate for the site and vice versa while ensuring public safety”. Mrs. Tomi Bolude further noted that the benefits of community service are very similar to those of restitution which can help to change an offenders’ values. Speaking during the sensitization campaign, the Coordinator,Restorative Justice Centre,Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, stated that the concept of RJ is the practical application of some of the components of ADR to criminal matters and causes. The Coordinator further explained that during the Victim Offender Mediation(VOM), the victim and offender are brought together to repair the harm while the offender is reintegrated back to the society to achieve a sense of healing for both parties. Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi however reiterated the State Government’s resolve to ensure an effective dispensation of justice whereby people can walk into the centre to make enquiries as well as file complaints. It should be recalled that the Lagos State Restorative Justice Centre began a 3day sensitization campaign on Tuesday, 13th of June at the Girls Correctional Home, Idi-araba and a Walk for Restorative Justice from Akilo Street, Ogba, to Samuel Ilori Court House where the legal clinic was organized. The sensitization program was finalized on Thursday, 15th of June with a visit to the Maximum, Medium and Female Correctional Centres, Kirikiri, Lagos.

PRESS RELEASE: PREROGATIVE OF MERCY: SANWO-OLU APPROVES RELEASE OF 49 INMATES IN COMMEMORATION OF HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE

Posted on June 1, 2023

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy has approved the release of 49 inmates from various correctional facilities across the State. The Governor signed the Release Order on the 26th of May, 2023 in cognizance of his Inauguration for the second term in office as Governor of Lagos State. The exercise is in pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended). The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the applicable guidelines, information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of offence, period of incarceration, age, health and also the behavioral conduct of the inmates. The approval for the release of the inmates is also in line with the commitment of Mr. Governor to decongest correctional facilities in Lagos State as part of the Justice Sector Reforms.

PRESS RELEASE – HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENT OVER VAST AREA OF LAND IN SURULERE

Posted on May 26, 2023

On the 2nd March, 2022, the High Court of Lagos granted leave to enforce the Judgement of Bada J in Suit No. IKD/118/1968 delivered on November 20, 1975 over a vast area of land in Surulere, Lagos measuring 315.9 acres. On the 30th of March, 2023, some residents of Surulere were alarmed when they found the inscription “possession taken in Suit No. Suit No. IKD/118/1968” painted on their residence by Court officials. There was a huge outcry by residents affected by the enforcement exercise who were not aware of any pending proceedings. The Honourable Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, upon receiving petitions and complaints from affected residents, caused a search to be conducted on the Court’s file which revealed several irregularities and anomalies on the part of the purported Judgment Creditors. The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on behalf of affected residents therefore filed an application asking the Honourable Court to set aside the enforcement of the Judgement on the ground that it was obtained by fraud and concealment of facts. The application was argued personally by the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on the 12th of May, 2023. On the 25th of May, 2023, the Court presided over by Honourable Justice A. M. Lawal delivered its Ruling and set aside the enforcement of the Judgment of Bada J. The Court also awarded cost against the purported Judgment Creditors in the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) to other set of Applicants affected by the execution.

PRESS RELEASE:LAGOS STATE ARRAIGNS EZE NDIGBO ON TERRORISM CHARGES

Posted on May 10, 2023

On the 9th day of May, 2023, the Hon. Attorney General of Lagos State represented by Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya (a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice), arraigned Frederick Nkemdilim Nwajago (Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos) on a nine count Information (Charge) before Hon. Justice Y.A. Adesanya (Mrs.) in Suit No. LD/21505C/2023 – THE STATE OF LAGOS VS FREDERICK NKEMDILIM NWANJAGO. The Defendant was arraigned for the offences of Attempt to do Acts of Terorism under Section 403(2) of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015; Participation in Terrorism Meeting to Support a Proscribed Entity, Attempt to finance an Act of Terrorism, Preparation to Comit an Act of Terrorism under Sections 12(c), 18, 21, 29 & 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, amongst others. The Defendant pleaded NOT GUILTY to all the nine counts. The matter was adjourned to the 4th and 5th of July, 2023 for trial.

PRESS RELEASE IN RESPECT OF THE COLLISION BETWEEN LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT STAFF BUS AND A TRAIN ON THE 9TH DAY OF MARCH 2023

Posted on May 2, 2023

1. Sequel to the unfortunate accident of 9th March 2023 between a Lagos State Government Staff Bus which collided with an oncoming train at Shogunle Railway Crossing, Ikeja on the 9th March 2023. 2.The Director of Public Prosecutions, has filed charges and arraigned the driver of the bus, one Osibanjo Oluwaseun, before His Lordship Hon. Justice Oyindamola O. Ogala of the Lagos High Court, sitting at Ikeja, Lagos. 3.The defendant was arraigned on a 16 count charge compressed into six counts on involuntary manslaughter contrary to Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and ten counts on grievous harm contrary to Section 245 of the Criminal Law 2015 respectively. 4.The defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts. His Lordship thereafter, on the application of the Director of Public Prosecution, remanded the defendant to Maximum Custodial Center, Kirikiri and His Lordship adjourned trial of the matter to 26th May 2023, 16th June 2023 and 28th June 2023 for trial.

PRESS RELEASE: MOJ ORGANIZES MOOT COURT COMPETITION FOR LAGOS COUNSEL

Posted on April 28, 2023

In a bid to achieve the objective of cross fertilization of ideas amongst counsel, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday organized a moot court competition for state counsel at the Treasury Resource Centre, Debt Management Office, Alausa, Ikeja. The one-day mock court proceedings had state counsel of the ministry of Justice, prosecuting and defending cases towards honing their budding advocacy skills. The proceedings were presided over by a Judge. Through serious civil-related cases scenario created by the organizers, the moot court session provided an opportunity to promote and encourage enhanced dialogue and practical understanding amongst the various components of the justice system process. In his address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, noted that a moot court session is very informative due to the fact that it gives first-hand experience of court sessions to the participants by drawing expertise of colleagues from different fields and by strengthening the relationship between state counsel and the court. “Mooting is an excellent skill which is capable of assisting law officers to think and analyse in the style of an advocate, looking for loose threads, analysing legal logic and presenting conclusions in an accurate and effective manner” Onigbanjo noted that he is biased when it comes to advocacy in court which he stated with displeasure has now become a dying act in the justice system. “It gladdens my heart that I’ll be witnessing the next Fawehinmi’s today and i wish all participants the best today as we proceed”. During the break session of the moot court, the commissioner advised participants of the competition that knowledge of the law is the foundation of confidence. “You must know the law”. He noted that while presenting cases in court, it is of utmost importance that a counsel presents his or her strongest point first, as this will prove to the judge that the counsel knows what he or she is doing. Onigbanjo also urged state counsel to be audible when speaking with the intention to arrest the attention of the judge and the court. The Attorney General congratulated the winners and other participants of the competition while noting that advocacy requires preparation and unshakable confidence, as this will prove to the judge and court that the counsel knows what he or she is trying to achieve. According to the presiding judge, mooting can improve written and oral communication skills of counsel as well as keep them abreast of new trends thereby enhancing their capabilities and skills to effectively discharge their responsibilities as counsel. The presiding judge noted that advocacy skills can prove highly advantageous for individuals in various situations, which enables them to solve a wide range of problems faced by the society that envelopes them. “However, this is possible only if an individual masters the various advocacy skills that can help them to gain better control over the given situation and problems, in order to solve them effectively” “Some of these advocacy skills includes presentation, research, teamwork, taking the lead, drafting, networking, analysis and above all communication skills (oral and written)”. In her remarks, The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey, stated that it is not uncommon to not be fully prepared before coming to the court. She said that 90% of case preparation happens in the chambers. “I understand that some of us have so many cases to deal with on a daily basis, but it is imperative for us to always make time to be 70% prepared at least before appearing in court”. “So far, I’m impressed by the participants and i look forward to how this ends”. The participants expressed the unique opportunity the moot court presented in “creating the interface involving the judge, defense counsel, prosecutors and investigators” while noting that as the presiding judge put it, the moot court “will certainly improve the communication between the various sectors in the justice administration”. Equally, the session encouraged the exchange and development of constructive ideas and suggestions for addressing some of the key practical challenges relating to civil matters. The winners of the moot court competition were; Best Male Advocate – Mr. Dehinde Azeez, Best Female Advocate – Mrs Adetutu Adeusi and others. Also in attendance were Directors, State Counsel, Lawyers and other members of staff of the Ministry.

PUBLIC NOTICE: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT’S REACTION TO THE PURPORTED EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT WITHIN MASHA AXIS IN THE SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Posted on April 1, 2023

The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the purported execution of a Court Judgment within Masha axis in the Surulere Local Government area of Lagos State in which some houses were marked for possession, thereby causing fear, and anxiety which may lead to breach of the peace. As a responsive government, it has become imperative to listen to the yearning of the people and take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure that the rights of the people are well protected. Members of the public are hereby notified that the Office of the Honourable Attorney General is investigating the matter and will take necessary steps to protect the rights of the people of Lagos State. We therefore urge members of the public to remain calm and law abiding and maintain peace and order within the State while necessary steps are being taken in this regard.

PRESS STATEMENT: PRESS STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF LATE WHITNEY ADENIRAN, (CHRISLAND STUDENT).

Posted on March 24, 2023

On the 9th of February 2023, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran a Student of Chrisland High School, Ikeja aged 12 years, slumped during the Inter-house Sports organized by the School at the Agege Sports Stadium and was subsequently rushed to Agege Central Hospital, Agege, Lagos where she was confirmed “brought in dead” (BID) by the doctor on duty. The case was referred to the Nigerian Police Force which carried out thorough investigation with the help of other agencies. The file was subsequently forwarded to the DPP’s Office on Monday 20th March, 2023 for review of the duplicate case file. On the 23rd of March, 2023, the DPP issued his Legal Advice and came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts had been established against the School, some members of Staff and one of the Vendors. They will therefore be charged with the offences of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless and Negligent Acts contrary to Sections 224 & 251of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Information will be filed in accordance with the legal advice issued by the DPP. Certified True Copies of the Legal advice is available on the Ministry of Justice website (www.lagosstatemoj.org.).

PRESS RELEASE: UPDATE ON THE MATTER OF THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE LASG STAFF BUS AND A TRAIN

Posted on March 24, 2023

It would be recalled that on the morning of the 9th of March, 2023, a LASG staff bus collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a stop at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja, Lagos State. The horrific incident which involved LASG staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in 6 fatalities with about 96 others with various degrees of injuries. The injured victims were hospitalized across many Government Hospitals in the State. The driver of the staff bus on the fateful day (Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo) was apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution by the State. At the end of investigation, the casefile was forwarded to the D.P.P for further statutory actions. Upon the receipt and review of the casefile by the D.P.P, a prima facie case of Manslaughter, and Grievous Body Harm were disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus. Accordingly, he is to be charged with 6 counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The Office of the D.P.P will immediately file charges against the Driver. However, his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.