Protocol
Good morning, distinguished directors, ladies and gentlemen of the press. It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this press conference, marking a milestone as we commemorate the first year of my tenure as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State. This gathering serves as a reflection on our achievements over the past year and a vital platform to discuss the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting.
Introduction
The Ministry of Justice has maintained the tradition of keeping Lagos State as the vanguard of rule of law, fiscal federalism, reform of justice administration and good governance. These are achieved through the various directorates and departments in the ministry such asthe following
Directorate of Legislative Drafting
The Ministry through this directorate focuses on law reforms and legislation initiatives in the area of public law and improvement of the legal environment to promote economic activities.
Directorate of Civil Litigation
The Directorate of Civil Litigation (DCL) is the major litigation branch of the Lagos State Government. It has direct responsibility for instituting and defending civil actions involving the State Government, its Ministries and Agencies. The DCL uses a multi-pronged approach in its claims and litigation management in its efforts to minimize the Lagos State Government’s exposure to liabilities.
Directorate of Advisory Services and Judicial Liaison
The Directorate is responsible for proffering legal advice on petitions received from private persons and corporate organizations and advice on request from ministries, parastatals and other establishments of the Lagos State Government. Attendance at Personnel Management Board Meetings on disciplinary matters relating to junior, senior and management officers within the Lagos State Public Service. The Directorate defends all employment related cases filed against the State Government or any of its MDAs.
Directorate of Public Prosecutions
The primary function of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is to issue legal advice on case files sent by the Police and to prosecute criminal cases at the Magistrates’ Courts, Special Offences Court and the High Court. The Directorate also handles criminal appeals at the High courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme\Courts.
Directorate of Commercial Law
The Directorate of Commercial Law (DCOMLAW) is responsible for negotiations, drafting of commercial agreements and the review of commercial proposals from other Ministries and Government Agencies. The Directorate also offers advisory services on commercial contracts and transactions for and on behalf of Government and its agencies.
The Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC)
The Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) is an agency of Government established by the Lagos State Government to employ Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (Mediation) for the resolution of civil disputes amongst residents of Lagos State in particular the indigents who cannot afford the cost of litigation.
The Directorate for Citizens’ Rights
The Directorate for Citizens’ Rights (DCR) is the complaint centre for residents of Lagos State. Currently, the Directorate has two new units: The Human Rights Protection Unit (HRPU). The Unit sees to the protection of Human Rights of Citizen in Lagos State particularly awaiting trial inmates of the prisons and the Consumer Rights Protection Unit that assist residents of Lagos to protect their consumer rights and interests.
Public Advice Centre
The Public Advice Centre (PAC) is saddled with the responsibility of providing citizens with easy access to legal information and advice which will benefit and improve the knowledge of their legal rights.
Administrator General and Public Trustee
The Administrator General and Public Trustee (“AG & PT”) is in-charge of the management of estates either by order of court or by appointment as executor and trustee of Will or administration of Estate. The Office is also responsible for estate limited to death benefit of public servants and those referred to it by Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) or other Corporate bodies.
The Office of the Public Defender
The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is responsible for providing legal aid services and advice to indigent citizens. To this end, it receives complaints directly from individuals or by referrals from government agencies, public institutions etc. they ensure access to justice for indigent residents of Lagos State.
The supporting departments are Directorate of Human Resources and Administration, Accounts, Budget and Planning, Public Procurement and Internal Audit.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of serving under the able leadership of Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. His unwavering commitment to good governance and the rule of law has laid a solid foundation for our work at the Ministry of Justice. Our focus has been steadfast: to ensure that justice is not only served but is accessible to all residents of Lagos State, irrespective of their socio-economic status or background. Aligning with the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda of Mr. Governor, our mission has been to cultivate a legal environment that upholds the rule of law, protects human rights, and facilitates easy access to justice. This agenda emphasizes principles of transparency, efficiency, and accountability, which guide our actions and decisions at the Ministry.
Throughout this past year, we have undertaken numerous initiatives aimed at improving our justice delivery system, addressing the challenges faced by our citizens, and reinforcing the integrity of our legal framework. We have made considerable strides in various areas, including enhancing access to legal services, streamlining prosecution processes, and ensuring that the vulnerable receive the necessary support. The cardinal belief of this administration is that a dynamic and functional justice system is sine qua non for the sustenance of democracy as well as the achievement of good governance. To this end, Governor of Lagos State approved fund for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate court house and payment of 34 flats official quarters for the Magistrates.
Upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting
As we look ahead, I am pleased to announce the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting, scheduled for October 23rd and 24th, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. This meeting, themed “Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Justice Delivery,” aims to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and improve the enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State.
This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May this year, where key stakeholders identified the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination within the justice system. One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice and ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all residents of Lagos State.
The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonizing MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management.
Day One will focus on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice, with keynote speaker Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (Rtd) and discussants including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Zonal Commander of the EFCC Lagos and ICPC, the AIG Zone 2 Lagos, Commissioner of Police Lagos and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service. Together, we will discuss pressing issues, share best practices and explore collaborative solutions to the challenges we collectively face in law enforcement and prosecution.
Day Two, we will start the meeting with the government Land Family to wit; Lands Bureau, NTDA, the Office of the Surveyor General, the Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the Agricultural Lands Holding Authority and the Lands Registry
That session will be followed by meeting with the Environment and Physical Planning Family to wit; Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR), LASEPA, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD) LASBCA, LASPPA and LASURA.
The last session for the day will address Chieftaincy Matters and the future of Local Government Administration in Lagos State, with the Oba of Lagos or his representative delivering the keynote address.
This meeting presents an invaluable opportunity for dialogue and partnership as we collectively strive towards a more effective and equitable justice system in Lagos State.
Implementation Committee Report on Justice Summit Recommendations
As you are aware, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice held its Justice Reform Summit from May 27th to 28th, 2024. The Summit culminated in a series of impactful recommendations presented by the diverse speakers and discussants in attendance. Following the reception of these recommendations and with the approval of Mr. Governor, I constituted an implementation committee tasked with developing an action plan to operationalize these recommendations.
One of the foremost areas of focus for the committee was the Administration of Civil Justice for Economic Growth and Investment Protection. Recognizing that delays in justice delivery can significantly hinder economic progress, the committee emphasized the necessity of reducing time of conclusion of cases in the Magistrate and High Courts.
To this end, a Bill for the enactment of Administration of Civil Justice Law has been forwarded to the House of Assembly for legislative process. If the Bill is passed to Law, It is expected that litigation in trial courts should not last more than 18 to 24 months and tenancy matters between 3 to 6 months.
In the Criminal Justice System, delay in DPP legal advice and prosecution have been addressed. In addition, the Lagos State Criminal Information System has been established to capture photographs, biometric and identify the cases of all inmates in the Correctional Centres in Lagos State.
Other innovations introduced are the Bill for the establishment of Lis Pendens Registry. The Registry aims to serve as a repository of information of land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land subject of litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice. This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from ongoing court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the State.
Another Bill being proposed, is the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the registration of customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages. This will give people of Lagos State opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the past year, it is evident that the Ministry of Justice has made significant strides in the legal landscape of Lagos State.
We invite all stakeholders, including the media, community leaders, and government agencies, to join us in this critical dialogue at the Strategic Stakeholders Meeting scheduled for October 23rd and 24th, 2024. The media’s invitation is emphasized in recognition of the media’s vital role in the justice sector. By reporting our activities, raising awareness about the Ministry’s initiatives and holding us accountable, you contribute significantly to the transparency and integrity of the justice system.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your continued support as we work together to make our vision for effective justice system a reality.
Lawal Pedro SAN, FCIArb
Honourable Attorney-General
and Commissioner for Justice
