Lagos State Ministry of Justice

LASG Takes Witness Support Campaign to Bariga Residents

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As part of efforts to ensure speedy dispensation of Criminal Justice in the State, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions Lagos State of Ministry of Justice, on Thursday sensitized the residents of Bariga LCDA on the importance of witnesses during court proceedings and the needed support available for them. The Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi assured the residents of the State Government’s unwavering support for witnesses through the Witness Support Unit. Ms. Oshinusi said the Witness Support Unit was established under the Directorate of Public Prosecutions a few years ago, to  provide support to victims of crime and to ensure their protection from external forces. She added that the lackadaisical attitudes of residents towards crimes committed around them has led to an upsurge in  crime in the State and country at large. “We are all guilty of the increased rate of crimes in our community and State on daily basis as we turn deaf ears to things happening around us as a result of fear” she said. The Director, however, urged the resident to be courageous in reporting crimes to the Police as good citizens and credible witnesses towards ensuring  appropriate punishment under the law, is given to perpetrators of such Crimes. While responding to a question on the safety of Witnesses, Ms. Oshinusi noted that the Witness Support Unit collaborates with other government agencies to provide needed support to witnesses especially children and the vulnerable in the Community. “The witness support unit provides witnesses with numerous support as needed, ranging from psychosocial, financial to security, especially for Witnesses of assaults, defilement, rape, armed robbery amongst others” , she said. Also speaking at the sensitization programme, a Deputy -Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adesola Adekunle -Bello urged residents to shun all forms of intimidation as the unit will provide adequate protection to all witnesses during and after court proceedings. She added that all communication line  between witnesses and the support unit is confidential. Mrs. Adekunle-Bello noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is keen on ensuring the effective administration of Criminal Justice in the State towards creating a crime-free environment for all. While commending the initiative of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, the Chairman Bariga LCDA, Hon. Alabi Kolade David assured that the Witness Support Sensitization Campaign will be taken to all Bariga residents inorder to attain a safe and peaceful community. Likewise, the Baale of Obanikoro, High Chief Kabiru Braimoh who applauded the State Government’s efforts in bringing Justice closer to the people through the Witness Support Sensitization Campaign implored  the Ministry of Justice on the need to establish annex offices at all LCDA and LGA’s in the State .

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LASG Rescues 11- Year -Old Girl, Assaulted by Father

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The Directorate of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice has rescued a 11- year-old girl who was allegedly assaulted by her father. The minor was rescued  after a neighbour on a street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos reported to the Directorate of Citizens Rights. Director, Citizens Rights, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said officials of the Ministry of Justice gathered that the assault on the girl occurred on several occasions before it was formally  reported to the authorities. “The good neighbour stated that the 61 year old man who lost  his wife, the mother of the victim and had remarried, was always in the habit of assaulting the victim and her Sibling”, the Director explained. She noted that the officials of Child Protection Unit, Lagos State ministry of Youth and Social Development has taken the alleged perpetrator to the Police  for further investigations. The Director,  Child  Protection Unit, Mrs. Olubukayo Odukoya, said the victim will be taken to a government facility for a total rehabilitation. Taiwo Ade-Balogun Public Affairs Officer, Directorate of Citizens Rights

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Avocats Sans Frontier, France pays a visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice

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Today, the Hon. Attorney-General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN received in his office at Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 a delegation from Avocats Sans Frontier, France ( An international Solidarity Organization created to strengthen the rule of law and access to Justice for the most vulnerable people) During the courtesy visit, the delegation led by Country Director, Angela Uzoma- Iwuchukwu  requested a continuous synergy between Avocats Sans Frontier and the State Government inorder to:  Promote easy access to justice for vulnerable who sometimes suffer arbitrarily detention  or torture from Law Enforcement Agencies. Also, the organization defends the rights of any persons who may have been deprived of their independence or abused in the exercise of their function. While responding to the requests of Avocats Sans Frontier,  the Attorney- General noted that the State is committed to upholding the rule of law and also protect the right of the citizenry, most especially the vulnerable ones in the society. He reiterated that the State Government has zero -tolerance for any form of extra- judicial ill-treatment of residents by Security Personnel. The Commissioner promised that the State Government will continue to collaborate with Stakeholders and Organizations to ensure effective and efficient administration of Justice in the State.

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PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V OLANREWAJU JAMES (BABA IJESHA)

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It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations.  On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the  case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise. After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise  on the 4th of May, 2021,  which is to the effect    that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015: Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child-  punishable by 7 years imprisonment, Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment,  Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration-  punishable by life imprisonment, Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and Section 263, Sexual Assault- punishable by 3 years imprisonment. Whilst the  State would ensure that  Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights  as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any  resident of Lagos  State is speedily brought to book. It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses. The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that  in accordance with the DPP’s advise,  charges would be filed accordingly. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice 4th May, 2021

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LASG Warns Against Use of Landgrabbers, Violence In Property Dispute

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The Lagos State Government on Thursday, warned residents with land disputes against resorting to self-help, employing land grabbers to perpetrate violence. The Commissioner for justice/Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ikorodu with the theme “Land Grabbers, the Law, and Your rights”. “All we are saying is that no one should resort to self-help, there are laws in place, and violence  will never be condoned in  settling of disputes in land matters”Onigbanjo said. “The Court of Law is easy access by any aggrieved resident. It is important all residents should learn to uphold the rule of law, rather than resorting to self which lead to  Killing and maiming people all in the name of land disputes. This, will not be tolerated.” Onigbanjo, represented by Saheed Quadri, the Director Advisory Services in the ministry, noted that the government enacted the Lagos State property protection law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties. He accused some traditional leaders and community members of working as accomplices for land grabbers. Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Owolabi Arole, said the use of land grabbers, perpetuating violence and killings over properties have contributed to the stifled property development in the Ikorodu division. Arole disclosed that the taskforce has received over 5000 petitions since its establishment in 2016. He said majority of these disputes are from the Ikorodu area.  A Muslim cleric, the Grand Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque,  Yaya Oshoala,  also indicted lawyers, police, and traditional leaders of complicity in violence emanating from land grabbing incidences. Oshoala said that land grabbers in Ikorodu should not be solely blamed for illegal land acquisition, as some eggs in law enforcement agencies, also collaborate with other elements in the community to engage in illegal land grab. “There is injustice on the part of some family elders and the baales (traditional chiefs) due to their greed and selfish interests,” Oshoala said. “We rely on the police but they some times let us down, these land grabbers collude with them to subvert justice.” Lagos State commissioner of police Hakeem Odumosu, represented by the  Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of operations, Oladotun Odubona, ​said that land grabbing could not be done without the support of conspirators within. He exonerated the police from the allegations of conspiring with land grabbers, saying the police job is to arrest, investigate and prosecute. “Anything done outside that is beyond the scope of police work,” he said. However, the representative of the Ikorodu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Shakiru Omolaja reiterated that section 11 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, prescribes 10 years’ imprisonment for anyone convicted of land grabbing and advised aggrieved parties to seek legal redress. Omolaja implored members of the community to respect the rule of law with regards to Land disputes instead of resulting to violence, saying ” Law is a respecter of no person”.

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Lagos Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers To Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting In Ikorodu

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The Chairman, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, is set to welcome all Stakeholders in Ikorodu division to a  Stakeholders’ Meeting on Land grabbers at the Ikorodu Town Hall, on Thursday 22nd April 2021. The Coordinator, Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Mr. Owolabi Arole who disclosed in a statement, said the meeting is themed “LANDGRABBERS, THE LAW AND YOUR RIGHTS”. According to him, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is determined to put a final stop to the activities of Land grabbers in the State. “It is of great concern that despite many successes already recorded by the Taskforce on Land Grabbers in the fight against the unwholesome Landgrabbing practice, a few recalcitrant Land Grabbers still engage in the act”. Arole noted. The Coordinator, said that Ikorodu division is fortunate to be picked as the location for the flag off for the Stakeholders meeting, which is scheduled to hold in the six divisions of Lagos State as it is one of the major areas in the state where the atrocities of land grabbers are prevalent. He further mentioned that the Stakeholders meeting will provide a good platform to evolve localised strategies that are most effective in tackling the challenges of  Land grabbing where everyone can ask questions about the appropriate measures they must take when they have issues with land grabbers. “Citizens must acquire landed properties the right way which should include the CofO (certificate of occupancy) as this will allow the Special Taskforce on Land grabbers to know exactly what legal steps to take to tackle the involvement of land grabbers” Mr. Owolabi Arole urged. Arole added, “The Law is no respecter of persons regardless of societal status of the people involved. It will definitely take its full course on defaulters of Land Grabbing”. While reiterating  a point made by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,  Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, who is also the Chairman of the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Arole stated that “citizens must bring to the attention of the Taskforce on Land Grabbers any issue bordering on land grabbing by addressing such petition to his office or by calling the LSTFLG hotlines 09096667123, 09020085005”. “The Lagos State property protection law of 2016 is in full swing. The Law which prohibits forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State, prescribes severe penalties with various prison terms for different offenses”, Onigbanjo SAN stated. Kayode Oyekanmi  Director Public Affairs   Ministry of Justice  19th April 2021

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LASG to Digitalise Courts in October

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In its bid to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in Lagos, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration is set to welcome the digitization of Courts in the State. Speaking at the first virtual Bar-Bench Forum 2021 on Wednesday, Lagos State Attorney- General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN noted that the coronavirus pandemic affected the digitalization of the courts as proposed in 2020 but would be achieved in October 2021. He said, the government has put plans in place to digitize 10 selected Court rooms at the first stage in the year. The Attorney-General added that the courtrooms will be equipped with the latest technology to assist the judges and counsel during court proceedings. “The digitalization will ensure speedy dispensation of Justice to the citizens of the State. The interest of Lagos State Citizens is paramount,” Onigbanjo said. He said the digital reform would eradicate all forms of paperwork and also make the Lagos courtrooms first-class in Africa. While speaking on the theme; The aftermath of Endsars protest and Effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the Justice system: Update on effort made so far, Onigbanjo urged participants that Virtual sitting should be embraced by all, noting that it has been ruled by the Federal Court to be Constitutional. “The rest of the world is moving on through the use of virtual sitting, there is a need for us all to embrace digitalization in the Justice sector,” Onigbanjo said. He added that a Lagos Court had the first virtual sitting during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown which was labeled unconstitutional but was later ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Speaking on the destruction of Court buildings in the State during the  Endsars protest, Onigbanjo informed the gathering that the State Government had made budget provisions to renovate the destroyed High Courts and Magistrate Courts buildings in the next quarter of the year. Onigbanjo noted that the state government will be providing 8 Court rooms at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi by the end of April to ease the effect of destroyed Court buildings in the State. Also, during the forum, the Chief Judge of Lagos State Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba said the Judiciary will be investing more in the digitalization and ICT based initiatives in all its Legal engagements. He added, the Judiciary sector will take advantage of the aftermath of the Endsars incident to pursue more Information Communication Technology  ICT programmes aimed at the digitalization of Court proceedings. “To restore speedy Justice delivery in the Justice sector, we have identified problems faced by the Judiciary as we are working tirelessly to resolve all of them” Alogba said the backlog of pending cases at both the State Magistrate and High Courts have been identified and will be looked into accordingly. The Chief Judge, however, appreciated the efforts of the State Government in identifying the effect of the Endsars incident on the Judiciary sector and ensuring that they function well in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virtual Bar – Bench forum was attended by State Attorney/ Commissioner for Justice, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) of Nigeria, Olumide Akpata, Solicitor- General/ Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey, State Counsels and Media Practitioners. Kayode Oyekanmi Director of Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 11th March, 2021

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Man Bags 3 Years Imprisonment for Rape

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A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday 8th, March 2021 sentenced one Henry Egesi to 3 years imprisonment for raping a 19 years old girl in Lagos. Justice Nwaka – Gbagi delivered the judgement in charge no ID/6155C/2017 between the State of Lagos vs Henry Egesi The defendant was arraigned by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions on behalf of Lagos State Government in 2019. Henry Egesi who was arraigned on a one-count charge reportedly committed the crime on 9th May, 2019. According to the Prosecuting Counsel, Solicitor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, the  offence of rape is contrary to section 260 (1) of the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2015. The Solicitor- General noted that all evidences tendered before the court confirmed that the defendant had an unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim. She, however, urged the court to show no leniency in its sentencing of the defendant. Hon. Justice Nwaka – Gbagi found the defendant guilty of the charge, punishable under section 260 (1) of the Lagos State Criminal Justice Law 2015. Kayode Oyekanmi Director, Public Affairs 10th March, 2020.

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LASG Commissions New Library At SCID, Panti To Promote Justice Delivery

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The Lagos state government has formally unveiled a renovated library at Lagos State Criminal and Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN while making his opening remarks said;  “The commissioning of the library is a  demonstration of the commitment of the State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Police to the Rule of Law in Lagos State”.  He also said that, the library would serve to better educate Police Prosecutors on Legal issues in order to enable them attend more efficiently to legal matters in court and  to further deepen their legal  knowledge. The Attorney General, who represented the Lagos State Governor at the event, said the request for the newly renovated library was made by the State Commissioner of Police at a meeting held with the Governor and in turn, the Governor gave a directive to the Ministry of Justice to facilitate the refurbishment, renovation and equipping of the library. Onigbanjo  who  commissioned  the library on behalf of the Governor, added that the library has been equipped with Computers, Photocopiers, Printers, Electronic research tools of the Law Pavilion and relevant books on the Laws of Lagos State.  Adding that more books would  be  supplied  to the library every year. Onigbnjo therefore urged Police Prosecutors who are partners in justice delivery to make the benefits of the new library reflect in their  oral arguments of Cases and presentations before the court. He also requested s better cooperation between Police Prosecutors and the team of District Prosecutors who have been placed in all State Magistrate Courts with the task of vetting charges before they are filed. The Commissioner of Police, CP. Hakeem Odumosu while appreciating the laudable project well executed by the State Government, reiterated that the Police are Law enforcement Officers who have good understanding of   Laws of the State but with the provision of the new library, the Police would keep themselves abreast of Legal information to be use in carrying out their duties more efficiently both in Court and outside of the Court. The Director of Public Prosecution, State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi in her remarks during the  commissioning said, if the library is well used by the Police Lawyers, it would ease the  work done by her office, by the quality of files brought to her table. She enjoined  Police Prosecutors to make adequate use of the library, adding that her Directorate is always prepared to organize trainings for Police Investigators and Prosecutors. Kayode  Oyekanmi Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 3rd March 2021

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Lagos Encourages Victims Of Crime To Come Forward As Witnesses In Court Trials

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The Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the State Ministry of Justice has urged Victims of Crime to remain  courageous by coming out as credible witnesses in Court, to provide evidence during court trials to ensure speedy delivery of justice. The State Director of Public Prosecutions, Olayinka Adeyemi, gave the charge during an interview on Lagos Traffic Radio, Ikeja on Monday, February 16th 2021. Adeyemi noted that it is not enough for victims to merely report a crime to the Police but, to also be prepared to go all the way, to make appearances in Court to give evidence when the need arises during Court Trials. She added that a Witness Support Unit was established under the directorate a few years ago, to  provide support to victims of crime and ensure their rights are protected. According to her, “A Witness is a critical aspect of any criminal trial. Adeyemi added that witnessing in court is an obligatory duty for all citizens, in order to ensure an effective and speedy administration of Criminal Justice in Lagos State. While stating the responsibilities of the Witness Support Unit, she added that adequate protection is given  to all Witnesses who are mostly victims of Crimes against all forms of intimidation. “The Unit also provides different kind of support; ranging from psychosocial  to financial, to witnesses especially victims of assaults, defilement, rape, armed robbery amongst others.  The Witness are also educated on the status of their cases, in order to  prepare them for appearances in court”. Speaking, Mrs Adeyemi said the State Ministry of Justice under the leadership of Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN in line with the T.H.E.M.E S agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration continues to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice, which is key to an effective administration of Justice in Lagos State. The Director stated that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions ensures that Legal Advice is issued within 14 days of receiving the case file in respect of  a crime. While the Witness Support Unit immediately gets connected to the Victims before  the case goes to court. The DPP, however added that, Witnesses can contact the Ministry of Justice on 08082145935 or 09090152284 to confirm the status of their cases.

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