Lagos State Ministry of Justice
Political Intellectual Summit -Youth- Police Engagement Programme, organized by the Lagos State Office of Political Legislative and Civic Engagement in collaboration with Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) held at The POWA Multipurpose Hall, GRA, Ikeja on Thursday,4th June 2026.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice held a reception in honour of the appointment of Dr. Babajide Olumuyiwa Martins as pioneer Permanent Secretary of one of its key agencies ,the Bureau of the Public Defender.(BPD) on Friday, 24th April 2026, recognising his distinguished service, professionalism, and commitment to justice sector reforms. The well-attended event, held at the Conference Room of the Ministry at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, brought together government officials, members of the Bar and Bench, as well as family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate this remarkable achievement. In his remarks, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, described Dr Martins as a seasoned legal practitioner and administrator whose wealth of experience will be instrumental in advancing the Ministry’s mandate. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring effective justice delivery for all residents of Lagos State. Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Citizens Mediation Bureau, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, commended Dr. Martins for his exemplary career trajectory, noting that his appointment is a testament to his dedication, competence, and unwavering commitment to public service. She expressed confidence in Dr. Martins’ capacity to further strengthen institutional efficiency and drive impactful reforms within the Ministry. In his response, Dr. Babajide Olumuyiwa Martins expressed profound gratitude to God, the Lagos State Government, and all well-wishers for the honour. He also extended his sincere appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro; the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; and the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, for their unwavering support, guidance, and confidence in his capacity to serve. Dr. Martins pledged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and service, while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to enhance the administration of justice in the State. Goodwill messages were delivered by Hon.Judges of the high court of Lagos State, Directors,Friends and family members,State Counsel ,and other professional colleagues, all of whom highlighted Dr. Martins’ integrity, diligence, generosity and leadership qualities that have distinguished him over the years. The appointment of Dr. Martins represents a significant milestone in the history of the State Ministry of Justice, as he becomes the Pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of the Public Defender and Second Permanent Secretary appointed within one year by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for agencies under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
The Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court was established on the mandate of addressing flagrant abuse of environmental and other related offences, with the intent to dispense justice by bringing offenders in line with extant laws and regulations in the State. This was affirmed by the Coordinator of Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Mr. Olufemi Adekunle. He stated this at the monthly technical meeting of the agency on the return of Monthly Sanitation Exercise. He said that the establishment of the Mobile Court was fueled by the increasing surge in environmental offences and reiterated the government zero-tolerance stance on environmental infractions such as illegal dumping of refuse, blockage of drainage channels, and failure to patronize approved waste management operators. He affirmed that residents or organizations found violating the regulations will be prosecuted accordingly..He further said that the Mobile Court is ready to prosecute individuals or organizations who flout environmental sanitation laws, putting the public at risk, and that anyone found guilty of littering, dumping waste improperly, or other sanitation infractions would face the full weight of the law. Finally, he urged everyone to comply with the laws by disposing waste properly, cleanliness of the environment and avoiding littering and dumping of waste in drainage, or engaging in activities that could harm the environment. JIDE AJIBOLAHEAD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice participated in a specialised training on Non-Custodial Sentencing hosted by the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, at the Kingfisher Club, Ikoyi, Lagos. The training, an initiative of the UK Ministry of Justice, forms part of ongoing collaboration between both jurisdictions aimed at strengthening criminal justice administration through knowledge exchange and institutional capacity building. Representing the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, expressed his appreciation to the UK Home Office Team in Nigeria and the UK Ministry of Justice for their continued partnership and commitment to justice sector reforms in Lagos State. Dr. Martins noted that the training comes at a critical time when the State is intensifying efforts to promote alternative sentencing frameworks as a means of decongesting correctional facilities and ensuring a more rehabilitative approach to justice delivery. “This collaboration is both timely and impactful, as it provides practical insights into probation systems, offender management, and non-custodial sentencing options that can be effectively adapted to our local context”. He further commended the facilitators for delivering a comprehensive and insightful training, highlighting the importance of continued engagement and institutional partnerships in achieving sustainable justice sector reforms. In his remarks, he stated that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice remains committed to adopting progressive and internationally recognised best practices in the administration of justice. The training, facilitated by senior UK probation practitioners including; Head of Essex North Probation Service,Mr. David Messam; and Head of Liverpool South Probation Service, Ms. Emma Davies; covered key areas such as probation structure and governance, offender management in the community, non-custodial sentencing options, and support systems within the probation framework in England and Wales. Participants at the training included State Counsel, Magistrates, and Directors in the Ministry, all of whom actively engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening the implementation of non-custodial sentencing in Lagos State.
The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has reaffirmed the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s commitment to strengthening strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders in crime prevention and public safety. Mr. Pedro gave this assurance on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, while receiving the ECAPI Anti-Crime Grand Patron Award from the Eagle Crime Awareness & Prevention Initiative (ECAPI) during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Justice Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja. The Attorney General expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that partnerships with civil society organisations remain critical to advancing public awareness, improving access to justice, and enhancing community-based crime approaches to tackling crime. Pedro reiterated the Ministry’s openness to strategic collaborations that will further strengthen the justice system and promote a safer Lagos. Presenting the award, the President and Founder of ECAPI, Amb. Samuel Adam, stated that the honour was conferred in recognition of the Attorney General’s exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to justice sector reforms, and significant contributions to crime prevention and public safety. He commended Mr. Pedro’s impactful leadership and assured the Ministry of the organisation’s readiness to collaborate in furtherance of shared objectives in crime prevention and public enlightenment.
The Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court on Thursday commenced a two-day strategic retreat themed “The Mandate of Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court; Strategies for the Path Ahead,” holding from 12th to 13th February 2026 at Amber Residence, GRA, Ikeja. In his address during the opening ceremony, the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, ably represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, stated that the Mobile Court was established as a decentralised, on-the-spot judicial mechanism to address the immediacy and volume of minor offences in Lagos State. He explained that the Court functions not as an exception to justice, but as an extension of the formal judicial system, firmly grounded in law, due process, and judicial oversight. Pedro further outlined the core mandate of the Mobile Court, which includes: Swift adjudication of environmental, sanitation, traffic, and public nuisance offences; Bringing justice closer to the people; Enhancing compliance and deterrence through visible enforcement amongst others. He noted that the Court handles traffic violations, environmental and sanitation offences, public order infractions, and other minor criminal matters within its jurisdiction. The AG commended the measurable impact of the Court in decongesting conventional courts, enhancing regulatory compliance, reducing repeat violations, and reinforcing the rule of law, while acknowledging that its current reach remains limited relative to the scale of infractions across the State. He therefore called for a strategic statewide expansion of the Mobile Court, improved coordination and standardization, data-driven operations, and strict adherence to due process and human rights. The Attorney General added that a strengthened Mobile Court system directly supports key pillars of the State’s development agenda, particularly transportation, environment, security, and governance. “This retreat should mark a renewed commitment to repositioning the Mobile Court as a statewide instrument of swift and fair justice, covering more areas of Lagos State, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and sustaining public confidence”. Pedro concluded Earlier in his welcome address, the Coordinator of the Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Mr. Olufemi Adekunle, described the retreat as a timely opportunity for introspection, coordination, and strategic planning. He noted that the Mobile Court remains a critical enforcement mechanism in a fast-growing megacity like Lagos, where environmental, traffic, and public order infractions occur daily and require swift judicial intervention. According to him, the retreat is designed to re-examine the statutory mandate of the Court; assess operational challenges; strengthen inter-agency collaboration; and develop clear strategies for expanding coverage and improving efficiency. Adekunle emphasized that the effectiveness of the Mobile Court depends not only on enforcement but also on professionalism, due process, consistency in adjudication, and respect for citizens’ rights. Also speaking at the retreat, the Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reaffirmed the commitment of enforcement agencies to lawful, disciplined, and coordinated operations. He highlighted the importance of synergy between enforcement officers and judicial officers, noting that immediate judicial oversight through the Mobile Court reduces delays, discourages impunity, and strengthens public confidence in enforcement processes. CSP Akerele underscored the need for professionalism during arrest and arraignment procedures, improved documentation of cases, and strict compliance with established guidelines. He further emphasized that enforcement must be firm but fair, and that officers must operate within the confines of the law at all times. The retreat also examined the multi-agency framework supporting the Court, including collaboration with agencies such as the Lagos State Taskforce, LASTMA, LAWMA, FRSC, KAI, LAMATA, VIS, RRS, and other relevant State bodies. The two-day retreat is expected to produce actionable recommendations aimed at expanding coverage across Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the integrity and effectiveness of the Special Offences (Mobile) Court.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Monday, 2nd of February, 2026, hosted a delegation from the Department of Justice, Canada, led by Co-Director of Canada-Nigeria Justice Cooperation Project, Genevieve Westrope; on an official visit aimed at deepening understanding of the Ministry’s mandate, institutional framework, and key initiatives within the criminal justice system. The visit formed part of an international knowledge-sharing engagement focused on criminal offences and prosecution processes, with particular emphasis on gender-based violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. In his address, the Lagos Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, thanked the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his unwavering support of the justice sector and for providing the enabling environment required for institutional growth, reform, and effective prosecution of criminal offences. He spoke extensively on the Ministry’s role in the prosecution of criminal matters, highlighting its sustained efforts in combating gender-based violence, protecting children from abuse, and addressing human trafficking through coordinated legal and institutional responses. Pedro emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, capacity building, and victim-centred approaches in achieving justice outcomes that are fair, timely, and impactful. He also acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for its critical role in facilitating the visit, noting that its partnership and advocacy were central to the Department of Justice, Canada’s engagement with Lagos State. According to him, such collaboration underscores the value of collective action in addressing crimes that disproportionately affect women, children and the vulnerable. Welcoming the delegation earlier, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, gave an overview of the Ministry’s structure, core responsibilities, and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening justice delivery in Lagos State. Oyenuga expressed delight at the visit, describing it as an important opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build mutual understanding between both jurisdictions. The Permanent Secretary noted that the Ministry remains committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration in the administration of justice. Co-Director of Canada-Nigeria Justice Cooperation Project, Genevieve Westrope; expressed appreciation for the warm reception, noting that prior to the visit, the delegation had been informed in Abuja that Lagos State is a leading authority in the justice sector and a jurisdiction that clearly understands and effectively executes its justice mandate. She commended the Ministry’s commitment to justice sector reform, inter-agency collaboration, and the protection of vulnerable groups, and acknowledged the openness and professionalism demonstrated throughout the engagement. The interactive session allowed for robust discussions on prosecutorial practices, legal safeguards, policy frameworks, and enforcement challenges, while also exploring opportunities for future cooperation and learning. The event, held at Zen Garden, Isaac John, Lagos, underscored the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s commitment to institutional learning, strategic partnerships, and the strengthening of the criminal justice system, while reaffirming its dedication to upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and ensuring justice for all residents of Lagos State.
The Year 2025 Passing-Out Parade for Law Enforcement Officers held on Friday 16th of January, 2025 at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI), LASTMA Annex Office, Oshodi.
…Participants Urged to Apply Digital Skills for Enhanced Service Delivery. The Lagos State Ministry of Justice (MOJ), through its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, has successfully organized and concluded a three-day MS Office Suite and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training Programme, held from Wednesday, 17th December to Friday, 19th December, 2025 at the Ministry’s Conference room, Secretariat, Alausa. The capacity-building programme was organised to strengthen the digital competence of staff and enhance efficiency in official documentation, data management, communication, and creative content development within the Ministry. The training, facilitated by an expert, Mr. Williams Mayowa, with core areas of competence in Microsoft Office applications, Artificial Intelligence tools, and Canva (design), exposed participants to practical and contemporary digital solutions aimed at improving productivity and workflow across departments. Speaking during the programme, the Director, ICT Department, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Johnson encouraged participants to make effective and responsible use of the knowledge and skills acquired, noting that digital proficiency is critical to achieving optimal performance and supporting the Ministry’s mandate in the delivery of justice. Olufunmilayo noted that the training was designed not only to improve technical capacity but also to promote innovation, adaptability, and the adoption of emerging technologies in public service operations. The programme concluded with closing remarks by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Fagbohun, who commended the ICT Department for organizing the training while urging the participants to translate the lessons learnt into measurable improvements in their daily duties. She further reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to continuous staff development and capacity enhancement. Participants expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the initiative, describing the training as timely, impactful, and relevant to modern public sector demands. The Lagos State Ministry of Justice remains committed to leveraging technology and continuous learning to strengthen institutional capacity and improve service delivery to the public.
Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, today inaugurated 114 Local Government Focal Persons and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Anti-Human Trafficking Desk Officers for the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, reinforcing the State’s commitment to combating human trafficking at the grassroots. The inauguration, held at the DMO Office, Alausa, Ikeja is part of the strategic efforts of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to strengthen prevention, early detection, and response mechanisms at the Local Government level. Mr. Pedro explained that Heads of Legal Units in all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas have been designated as Local Government Focal Persons for the Task Force, while Anti-Human Trafficking Officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps have been appointed as Desk Officers in their respective jurisdictions. According to the Attorney-General, the framework promotes coordination, clarity of roles, and accountability by integrating legal oversight with operational capacity and community intelligence at the local level. He charged the appointees to be vigilant, proactive, and responsive, stressing that the appointments carry responsibility rather than titles. He emphasised early identification of trafficking risks, prompt reporting of suspected cases, effective referrals in line with approved procedures, and sustained engagement with community leaders and grassroots institutions. Mr. Pedro assured the officers of the State Government’s continued support through policy direction, coordination, and capacity building. Speaking earlier,the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, represented by the Director, Directorate for Citizens Rights, Mr. Johnson Ogunsanya, stated that the inauguration was anchored in the 2025 Workplan of the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking and reflected the State’s deliberate policy direction to combat human trafficking in a coordinated and community-responsive manner. Also speaking, the Lagos Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),represented by Mrs Hàjarat Tunde -Osho, commended Lagos State for strengthening its grassroots response, describing the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking as a critical pillar in the national response to trafficking in persons. She noted that the Task Force model has been replicated in 24 states of the Federation. She recalled that the inauguration fulfilled a commitment made by the Attorney-General and Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, in December 2023, and praised the State Government for matching policy intent with concrete action. In his briefing, the Task Force Coordinator, Mr. Olamide Ibrahim, explained that the operational framework was designed to strengthen grassroots collaboration without creating parallel systems or disrupting existing command structures. He clarified that while Local Government Focal Persons serve as coordination points at the local level, LNSC Desk Officers would continue to operate strictly within the established command structure of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The event concluded with the formal undertaking of commitment by the 114 appointees, followed by their official inauguration by the Attorney-General.
