The Lagos State Government has commenced a five-day advocacy and trial skills training programme for law officers of the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) Formerly OPD, and Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in collaboration with the United States-based National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), as part of its continued efforts to strengthen justice delivery through professional development and capacity building.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Olanrewaju Oyenuga, who represented the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lwal Pedro SAN ,described the programme as a unique initiative that brings prosecutors and defence counsel together in pursuit of a common objective—the fair and effective administration of justice.
Oyenuga emphasised that justice extends beyond securing convictions, noting that the criminal justice system must remain fair to victims, defendants and society as a whole. He reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to continuously modernise and strengthen the justice system through sustained investment in the professional capacity of its law officers.
According to the Solicitor-General, contemporary legal practice requires continuous learning, ethical grounding and technical competence, particularly in areas such as case management, evidence handling, expert testimony and courtroom advocacy. He commended the organisers for sustaining the partnership over the years and assured participants of the Ministry’s continued support for initiatives that enhance the quality of legal services delivered to residents of Lagos State.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to their daily professional responsibilities, stressing that improved advocacy skills, sound ethical practice and technical competence would ultimately contribute to better justice outcomes for the people of Lagos State.
The training, which marks the 10th year of the Lagos State–NITA collaboration, brings together prosecutors and defence counsel for intensive sessions on courtroom advocacy, professional ethics, evidence management, cross-examination, case preparation and trial presentation. The initiative is designed to provide participants with practical skills that can be immediately applied in the discharge of their professional duties.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju, described the programme as a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between Lagos State and NITA, noting that the collaboration has consistently provided law officers with practical advocacy skills that contribute to the effective administration of criminal justice in the State.
Adesomoju recalled that the partnership commenced in 2016 and has since developed into a flagship capacity-building initiative for prosecutors and defence counsel in Lagos State. She welcomed members of the NITA faculty, including Judge Ann Claire Williams, and encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, ask questions and share professional experiences throughout the programme.
She noted that the exchange of knowledge and experience between local and international legal practitioners has enriched legal practice in Lagos State, expressing confidence that the partnership would continue to expand and provide greater opportunities for professional development within the justice sector.
Delivering the keynote address, Judge Ann Claire Williams, Team Head of NITA, said the programme represents more than legal training, describing it as a shared commitment to ensuring that justice remains the guiding principle of the legal profession. She urged prosecutors to uphold the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, while encouraging defence counsel to provide the best possible representation for those they defend.
Judge Williams further explained that her continued participation in the programme is motivated by her deep connection with Nigeria, her desire to honour her mother’s dream of visiting Africa and her personal conviction that those who have been blessed with opportunities have a responsibility to give back. She noted that every successful legal professional had benefited from the support of mentors, family members and others who believed in them, adding that the NITA faculty remains committed to creating similar opportunities for others.
The five-day training will feature practical advocacy exercises, trial simulations, interactive sessions and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at strengthening both prosecutorial and defence advocacy. The programme is expected to further equip participating law officers with the technical, ethical and courtroom skills required to discharge their responsibilities effectively and contribute to a fair, efficient and professional justice system in Lagos State.
Olatunde Olusesi
Head, Public Affairs,
BPD
21/9/2026
