Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Lagos Set To Host Meeting Of The Body Of Attorneys-General Of The Federation

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Lagos State is set to host the next meeting of the Body of Attorneys-General of States of the Federation which will commence on Wednesday 15th June,2022 A Statement released by  the Interim Chairman and Attorney General of Lagos State,Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo,SAN disclosed that the Body of Attorneys -General forum is a body set up with a view to improving law and order issues uniformly in the 36 States of the Federation. It will also afford the Attorneys-General a platform for exchange of ideas, experience and build capacity nationwide. According to Onigbanjo , the Keynote Address   will be delivered by the Governor of Ondo State,Mr Rotimi Akeredolu,SAN The meeting will be attended by the Attorneys-General of the 36 States of the Federation and ends on Thursday, 17th June,2022.

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Ojo and Ikorodu Local Government Embraces Awareness To Eradicate Sexual And Gender Based Violence.

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In  furtherance of  “IT IS ON US to end Domestic and Sexual Violence” themed community outreach in  combating the rising cases of domestic and sexual violence across the State,the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, convened town hall meetings at both Ojo and Ikorodu Local Government on Thursday, 9th and Friday, 10th of June, 2022 respectively. Addressing both gatherings, the Executive Secretary of DSVA Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi elucidated that everyone, including the elderly, can be victims of domestic and sexual violence. She encouraged the residents of the respective local governments to take the message of the town hall meetings to their various communities and consider themselves mandated reporters; further stating that “if you see something, you have a duty to say something and do something.” Speaking at the  opening ceremony,the Chairman of Ojo and Ikorodu Local Governments  ably represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Uche Uborchi and  the Secretary to the Ikorodu Local Government ,Hon. Lateef Afinni, both expressed their concerns about the increasing rate of sexual and gender based violence cases which usually went unreported. They concluded by assuring the residents of both  Local Government that they will work with all relevant stakeholders to put an end to domestic and sexual violence in their respective communities. The gathering at the Ikorodu Local Government meeting acknowledged the presence of HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun of Igbogbo kingdom who delivered his keynote address on domestic violence. His Royal Majesty urged all Ikorodu residents to embrace peace amongst all men and shun violence. Mrs. Adeola Odumabo (Head of Citizen Mediation Center, Iba Unit ), and Alhaji  Lateef Akinborode (Executive Director, Community Women’s Right Foundation), speakers at the meetings, educated participants on what domestic and sexual violence entails instances of domestic violence, even as the reemphasized on the role of the community in  curbing the menace. ASP Braimah Asimawo of the Okokomaiko Family Support Unit, and Dr. Rahmat Odedesan, Medical Officer at the Ikorodu local government delivered presentations on steps to take after domestic or sexual violence has occurred. Participants were  encouraged to contact the nearest  designated police station and seek medical  assistance at the closest Primary Health Center. The gathering  had in attendance 200 stakeholders  respectively from each local government including Community Development Associations, traditional and religious leaders, political leaders,  community and youth leaders ,market men and women, representatives from the National Youth Council, artisans and relevant stakeholders. The It’s on Us campaign is in furtherance of Mr. Governor. Sanwo-Olu’s resolve to eradicate Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Lagos State.

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Lagos Attorney-General Applauds Counsel on Secondment Programme

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The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, at meeting with counsel who took part in the secondment programme organised by the Ministry of Justice in partnership with top law firms, applauded them for taking part and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired for effective discharge of their duties. Onigbanjo gave this remark on friday during a meeting by the second Batch of Counsel who had completed their secondment programme at various top private law firms in the State. While congratulating the Counsel for completing the Programme, the Attorney-General expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback from Counsel during the 3months programme, urging them to utiize the experience and exposure garnered to improve their various departments. The Commissioner noted that the programme was initiated in October 2021 to enhance career objectives, expand their horizon as well as improve the efficiency of lawyers in the employ of the State. He urged the counsel to make judicious use of the skills acquired during the secondment programme for the advancement of their career in Public Service as well as delivering on their mandate to residents in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration. Onigbanjo also seized the opportunity to thank partner firms where the state counsel were deployed for their cooperation and  accomodating the Counsel during the programme. Sharing their experiences at the various law firms, the Counsel described the initiative as highly commendable and illuminating as it provided them an opportunity to learn new skills, acquire knowledge in other areas of law different from their normal work routine, just as it broadened their perspectives on work-life experience in the private sector. The Counsel were seconded to law firms specializing in Oil and Gas, Energy, Taxation and Corporate Law amongst others.

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Land Dispute: Court Dismisses Oluwajuwonlo Oluwole Suit against LASG

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A State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday, 16th of May, 2022 delivered a judgement in favour of Lagos State Government over houses serving as staff quarters at Nos.43 and 45 Oladipo Bateye Street, G.R.A, Ikeja with SUIT NO. ID/727M/12, Oluwajuwonlo Oluwole vs Attorney General of Lagos State. The Claimant in his claim stated that his grandfather, Mr. Ayodele Diyan (Deceased) was granted a 99 years lease over the subject land by Military Governor of Western Nigeria commencing on 22nd February, 1968 by virtue of a Building Lease and  upon Mr. Ayodele Diyan’s death in 1968, the Defendant encroached on the properties. The Defence of the Lagos State Government is that the houses (Duplexes) serving as Staff Quarters belong to it having built them. The State contended that the Claimant’s case is statute barred having commenced on the 6th of September, 2012 more than 12 years the cause of action arose. Section 16 (2) of the Limitation Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 was relied upon which states: if the right of action first accrued to a State authority, the action may be brought at any time before the expiration of the period during which the action could have been brought by the State authority, or of twelve (12) years from the date on which the right of action accrued to some person other than the state authority, whichever period first expires. Consequently, upon evaluation of the evidence adduced by both parties in Court, Hon. Justice Y. G Oshoala agreed with the State Government that the Claimant’s action is statute barred having commenced more than 12 years after the cause of action arose thereby dismissing the Claimant’s case.

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DSVA Continues Enforcement of Safeguarding And Child Protection Policy In Schools

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The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has continued to reitirate its commitment to protecting children against any form of abuse. As a result, DSVA in collaboration with the Office of Education Quality Assurance has continued to engage Administrators and Heads of Schools in all Education Districts on the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. Speaking at the sensitization programme, the Executive Secretary, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the programme was pertinent for teachers and heads of schools to enable them understand the rights of a child and the policy that protects them as the school is the second home of a child where they spend a significant part of their lives. She added that for our schools and society to be free and safe from all manner of abuse and dastardly acts, people need to be active bystanders. The one-day sensitization programme which was held in batches on the 23rd, 24th and 26th of May, 2022 at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja saw Child Protection Experts like; Mr. Taiwo Akinlami, Founder, Taiwo Akinlami Academy, the Director- General of Office of Education Quality Assurance; Mrs. Abiola Seriki- Ayeni and Mrs. Modupeola Sahid-Adebambo, Founder Safe Haven enlightening stakeholders on the safeguarding and child protection policy of the Lagos state government. In attendance were a total of 680 primary and secondary government and private schools drawn from education districts  2 and 3in the state. DSVA has continued to call on anyone experiencing any form of abuse to speak up and call its toll free line 08000-333-333.

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DSVA Partners LASWA On Domestic And Sexual Violence

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The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in collaboration with Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), on Monday, 30th of May, commenced an awareness campaign for residents living in the riverine areas of Lagos State. The awareness campaign kicked off with a walk against domestic and sexual violence as officials of DSVA and LASWA walked from Military Hospital, Lagos to Falomo while sensitizing the public on the dangers of SGBV. DSVA has remained relentless in its fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and is keen on eradicating it in the state. During the walk, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi thanked LASWA for its collaboration with the agency in it’s fight against SGBV whilst restating the state government’s zero-tolerance to all forms of domestic and sexual violence. She also urged residents of Lagos State to see themselves as Mandated Reporters who have a duty to say and do something when they see something. On his part, the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel,  appealed to all participants to spread the message across and become ambassadors against Domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State. The LASWA GM further emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, explaining that a large number of Lagos residents make use of LASWA jetties and terminals daily, hence the reason for the joint sensitization between LASWA and DSVA. In furtherance of the awareness campaign, fliers, posters and other informative materials would be placed at all the ferry terminals including, Apapa ( Liverpool terminal), Ikorodu Baiyeku Ikorodu, Badore – Tarzan terminal Ebutte Ero, Ijegun, Ebutte Ojo and Falomo- 5 cowries. There will also be ongoing sensitisation exercises which will involve engaging members of the respective communities. DSVA has continued to call on anyone experiencing any form of abuse to speak up and call its toll free line;08000-333-333.

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Lagos Launches Restorative Justice Centre

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……Inaugurates the Nigerian Police Force and DPP focal group. In a bid to ensure correctional facilities decongestion and ensure quick dispensation of justice, the Lagos State Government on Friday at Alausa Secretariat launched a restorative justice center and Secretariat of the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee (CJSRC). The Lagos State restorative justice center is to serve as an alternative dispute resolution and as a tool for decongesting the less serious case in the court system. In his address the Chief judge of Lagos State who also served as the chairman of 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 of it by the State  justice system to ensure peaceful resolution of disputes. Justice Alogba ably represented by Hon. Justice Adenike Coker 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. He therefore, noted that the restorative justice centre is a welcome development as restorative justice referrals from courts and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) can be settled amicably at the centre. The Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo ,SAN in his address noted that the restorative justice system has been a dominant method of dealing with conflict for most of human history as it existed alongside a diverse range of other practices, including retribution hence its adoption by the State. He stated  that it is the responsibility of government to ensure that matters are resolved in a reasonable and timely manner because when it drags on for long people tend to find alternatives and take laws into their hands to get what they consider as justice which is not. “Restorative justice centre is a form of alternative dispute resolution and we are determined to deploy it as a tool for decongesting as many of the less serious cases in the docket of the court system and invariably the overcrowded correctional centres”. He explained further that restorative justice system is a process where all the parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and usually involves a trained facilitator. In addition,he noted that the State government in partnership with The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) has trained over 100 facilitators, magistrates, traditional rulers, police officers on restorative justice procedures. The centre according to Onigbanjo is expected to raise awareness and build support for the restorative justice program as well as to invite participation and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in implementing the model of justice. This he noted further demonstrates the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to expanding access to justice and building a peaceful and safe community that is victim orientated. The Solicitor General and Permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey expressed delight at the launch of the centre noting that it is another way of ensuring quick dispensation of justice while thanking the British council, GIZ, ROLAC and other donor agencies for their unwavering support towards promoting a criminal justice system that wins the trust of the community. The Honourable Chief judge used the occasion to launch the presentation of Standard Operating Procedure  (SOP) document which is a document that seeks to ensure seemless collaboration  between investigation prosecutors from the Police and the DPPs office at the stages of investigation up to the prosecution stage. The Nigerian Police force and DPP focal group was also inaugurated to fast track and champion the process of investigation and prosecution  There were also goodwill addresses from Mr. Gertjan de Gruijter of GIZ police programme, Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi represented by ACP Mary Anyim and RoLAC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa, Dr. Akeem Bello among others.       In attendance were officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Correctional facilities, Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, members of the RJ steering committee and relevant stakeholders.

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Lagos CMC Advocates For Peaceful Co-Existence In The State

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 … Commemorates the International Day of Living together In Peace The Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre has called for peaceful co-existence among residents, charging them to embrace amicable resolution of disputes through mediation. Mrs Biola Oseni,Director,CMC made the plea on Wednesday during an interview in a radio programme  tagged “Oju Taiye” at Radio Lagos 107.5 FM, where she featured as an invited guest to discuss how to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution platforms to restore peace in the State and the Country at large. Oseni urged residents to learn how to develop a mutual understanding and eschew rancor for peace to reign, adding that living together in peace can only be achieved when everyone is ready to forgive and bury the hatchet. “We don’t have to speak the same language or come from the same background before embracing peace, it is important we live together as one for the country to move forward”, she added. In her words, “We acknowledge that misunderstanding is inevitable in our society but when it occurs, there are Citizens’ Mediation Centres established by the State government to handle matters arising and provide a lasting resolution without difficulties and free of charge”. She listed the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC); Directorate of Citizens’ Rights (DCR); Office of the Public Defenders (OPD); amongst others as the alternative dispute resolution channels for amicable resolution of disputes in the State. Addressing the issue of misrepresentation, the Director explained the functions of each department and their limitations for better understanding of services each renders. Oseni therefore urged the members of the public to visit the Citizens’ Mediation Centre close to their locations to have their disputes amicably resolved rather than subscribing to self-help. “Our sub offices are spread across the Twenty Local Government Areas and Thirty-seven Local Council Development Areas of the State. You can also contact us on 08118161620 or access our services via our social media platforms:Facebook@lagosstatecmc; Instagram@lagosstatecmc; Twitter@lagosstatecmc”, she said. It should be recalled that the International Day of Living together in peace is usually celebrated on every 16th Of May worldwide to advocate for peace.

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