…Ministry Deepens Transformation Through New Infrastructure, Digital Innovation, Staff Welfare and Access to Justice Initiatives
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has recorded significant milestones in justice sector reforms, infrastructure development, criminal justice administration, citizens’ rights protection, and institutional strengthening as part of activities marking the Third Year of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Second term in office.
Speaking at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre on the 21st of May, 2026; the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, highlighted the Ministry’s achievements across various directorates, agencies, and specialised institutions, describing the justice sector as a critical driver of economic growth, public safety, investment protection, and social stability.
According to the Attorney-General, the Ministry has continued to pursue reforms aimed at building a justice system that is efficient, accessible, technology-driven, investment-friendly, and people-centred.
A major milestone recorded during the review period was the commissioning of key justice infrastructure projects, including the Nigerian Police Area Command “M” Headquarters at Idimu, the new Commercial Court at Tapa, Lagos Island, and the successful renovation of the J.I.C. Taylor Courthouse destroyed during the End SARS protests. The renovated courthouse now accommodates 24 courtrooms serving both High Courts and Magistrate Courts.
The State Government also commissioned newly acquired official quarters comprising 34 three-bedroom flats for Magistrates and State Counsel in Ketu, with 10 units allocated to legal officers in the Ministry, the first initiative of its kind in Lagos State.
In strengthening judicial administration, the Ministry completed the Deputy Sheriff Warehouse at Majidun, Ikorodu to ensure secure management of court exhibits and attached properties, while construction works also progressed substantially on the Magistrate Court Complexes at Randle Road, Apapa, Ebute-Metta, and the Combined High Court and Magistrate Court Complex at Igando.
The Ministry further disclosed that the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), one of the State’s flagship digital justice initiatives, recorded 35,461 criminal cases within the last three years, bringing the all-time total on the platform to 84,297 criminal cases as at May 2026. The database now captures information on criminal matters across Magistrate and High Courts, including defendants granted bail, inmates in custody, ongoing trials, convictions, and related biometric records.
In the area of law and order, Pedro stated that the Ministry secured a landmark judgment regulating public protests in Lagos State, restricting protests to designated locations while safeguarding the rights of other citizens and protecting public infrastructure from destruction.
On property protection, the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers received 1,628 petitions between May 2023 and April 2026, successfully concluded 221 petitions, carried out 146 inscription exercises, restored several property owners to lawful possession, and prosecuted over 25 persons for land grabbing offences across the State.
The Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled over 20,000 cases relating to domestic violence, rape, defilement, emotional abuse, cyberbullying, and sexual harassment during the review period. The Agency also inducted over 3,000 students into the Kings and Queens Club, reintroduced the 6820# USSD support platform, launched the “Ask INU” AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, and retained Lagos State’s position as the leading State in Nigeria in the prevention and response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the third consecutive year.
Similarly, the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court adjudicated 58,342 environmental and traffic-related cases between 2023 and 2026, while generating ₦155.3 Million in revenue during the period under review.
The Ministry also reported that the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights received 7,993 petitions, resolved 5,759 cases, and saved the State over ₦12 Billion through successful defence and dismissal of fundamental rights enforcement actions against the State Government.
The Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB) continued to strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms by receiving 117,575 cases and successfully resolving 49,854 disputes across its 16 sub-offices statewide. The Bureau also recovered ₦1.49 Billion on behalf of disputing parties through mediation interventions.
In advancing access to justice for vulnerable persons, the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) received 27,457 petitions, handled 42,050 court cases, secured 1,759 judgments, and recovered over ₦301.5 Million on behalf of indigent clients. The Bureau also rescued 262 vulnerable children and represented 2,575 children in conflict with the law.
The Lagos State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking was also revitalized, leading to the inauguration of 114 Local Government Focal Persons and Neighbourhood Safety Officers, while the State hosted the first Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking involving participants from over 18 countries.
On legislative reforms, the Ministry processed several landmark Bills and Executive Orders aimed at modernising governance and improving justice delivery. These include the Administration of Civil Justice Bill, proposed amendment to the Tenancy Law, Restorative Justice Bill, Protection Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Bill, and the Lagos State Parking Authority Bill.
The Ministry further secured assent to several strategic laws including the Lagos State Electricity Law, Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law, Human Organ Harvest and Tissue Transplantation Law, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, and the Lagos State Government Staff Housing Board Law.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued 2,342 legal advices, approved 687 plea bargain applications, filed 1,485 criminal informations, and secured 391 judgments during the period under review. The Directorate also handled several high-profile criminal matters, including the successful conviction of BRT driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
The Directorate of Civil Litigation also recorded major legal victories, saving Lagos State over ₦96.6 Billion in potential liabilities through successful defence of high-value claims instituted against the Government.
Similarly, the Directorate of Commercial Law generated ₦5.56 Billion in revenue for the State while supporting strategic infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership projects, including the Lagos Bus Reform Initiative, waterfront developments, renewable energy projects, and power generation agreements projected to increase electricity supply by approximately 400 megawatts within three years.
Another major institutional milestone recorded during this period, was the successful creation of two additional Permanent Secretary positions within the Ministry, a First in its history.
This followed the upgrade of key agencies under the Ministry into full-fledged Bureaus, a strategic reform aimed at addressing the long standing challenge of career stagnation arising from the Ministry’s top-heavy structure.
Concluding his presentation, Lawal Pedro, SAN, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to institutional reforms, technology driven justice administration, staff welfare, and strategic stakeholder engagement in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
He noted that the journey towards a modern justice system remains continuous, adding that the Ministry would sustain efforts aimed at ensuring that justice is not only done, but seen, felt, and experienced by every resident of Lagos State.
