News – Page 13 – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Sexual And Gender Based Violence: LASG Organizes Symposium On Factors And Triggers

Posted on December 15, 2021

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on Tuesday, organized a symposium as part of its efforts in combatting sexual and Gender Based Violence in the State. The Symposium with the theme “Inter Generational Conversations; Factors & Triggers of Sexual and Gender Based Violence … Charting A way Forward” had in attendance, faith based organisations, community leaders, ,CDA, CDC, NGO’s, students of the University of Lagos and members of the National Youth Service Corps . The Solicitor General & Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice,Ms. Titilayo Shitta Bey represented by the Director ,Citizen’s Mediation Centre Mrs. Abiola Oseni , in her goodwill message underscored the different efforts of the State Government in providing holistic response to incidents of Domestic and Sexual Violence. Shitta-Bey concluded by reiterating the need to offer real and practicable solutions in addressing the root causes of Sexual and Gender Based Violence which would ultimately lead to prevention. Speaking during the symposium,the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi in her opening remarks disclosed that the primary objective of the symposium is to provide a platform where both young and old generations are engaged in conversation that involves causes, factors and triggers of SGBV. Expantiating further Adeniyi stated that the forum is an opportunity to interrogate societal cultural norms and other factors which encourage the perpetration of domestic and sexual violence. “At the end of the conversations, it is our sincere hope that both generations will be guided to chart a way forward in a bid to prevent the occurrence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.” A keynote Speaker at the symposium Professor Olufunlayo Bammeke, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences ,Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos Nigeria highlighted the different triggers, causes as well as proffered solutions ,some of which includes empowerment for boys and girls , pre marital Counselling and life skills, enlightenment programmes aimed at behavioral change, engagement of the private sector to embrace anti-GBV programmes. The panel discussion was moderated by Mrs. Nyma Akashat – Zibiri of “Your View “(TVC). Panelists included Mr. Victor Okpala – Nabsolute Media, Ms. Halimat Oshun, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara – Commissioner ,Lagos State Audit Commission, Engr. Ajibade Oke – Member Rotary Club and Mr. Micheal West Panelists concluded that there is a need to keep the conversations going about Sexual and Gender Based Violence. In additional they recommended religious leaders, community leaders, gatekeepers and traditional rulers must work hand in hand with government to prevent and respond to SGBV.

Engaging Boys as Agents Of Change In The Fight Against Domestic And Sexual Violence

Posted on December 9, 2021

In commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism for the elimination of violence against women and girls, members of the Kings Club project, an initiative of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on Thursday organized a debate on Domestic and sexual Violence. The Debate with the topic: Domestic and Sexual Violence; who is to blame? The Perpetrator or the Society? was held at Oregun Junior and Senior High School, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun and had in attendance Counsellors, Teachers and male Students drawn from Education Districts II, IV, V and Lagos Mainland Primary school. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi in her opening remarks highlighted the importance of engaging boys proactively as a means of preventing domestic and sexual violence. She also reiterated the fact that boys can also experience domestic and sexual violence and were urged to speak out and break the silence. The Executive Secretary further noted that the ultimate goal of the Kings Club is to create a sustainable structure in educational institutions that would help debunk socio-cultural misconceptions, promote positive masculinity and bring about behavioral and attuditional change in the minds of young boys in Lagos State which is hoped would ultimately prevent the occurrence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence. The different debaters at the event canvassed their positions and ultimately encouraged members of the public as well as the State Government to ensure that Domestic and Sexual Violence is nip in the bud. At the end of the Debate session, Immaculate Senior High School came up tops with a total of 337 points and a cash prize prize of Fifty Thousand Naira . In second place was Immaculate Junior School with a total of 317 points and a cash price of Thirty Thousand Naira while third and fourth places were Mende Senior High School and Mende Junior School with 291 and 275 points respectively. The panel of Judges and Special Guests which include Mr. Taiwo Akinlami; Mr. Unwana Esang, Mr. Dennis Onoise, Mr. Victor Okpala, Mr. Lukas Koyejo, and Mrs. Oladipo charged the boys to remain committed in their educational pursuit and use their gender to protect, promote and uphold gender equality.

Lagos Releases Judicial Panel of Inquiry Reports

Posted on December 6, 2021

The Lagos State Government has released the Judicial Panel of Inquiry reports. According to a statement signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, the reports submitted by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry titled: “Report of Lekki Incident Investigation on 20th October 2021” and “Consolidated Report on General Police Brutality” both dated 15th November, 2021 and submitted to Mr. Governor on the same date has been released. Members of the public can view and download the certified true copy (CTC)on the website of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice at For further inquires, Members of the public can contact the Office of the Hon. Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice at info@lagosstatemoj.org

Lagos Set To Launch Restorative Justice Centre

Posted on December 3, 2021

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice is set to launch the ‘Restorative Justice Centre’ as part of efforts to ensure quick dispensation of justice, promote peaceful communities and prevent re-offending. The Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN stated this during a webinar organised by the Lagos State Restorative Justice Steering Committee as part of activities to commemorate the International Restorative Justice week. Representing the Commissioner, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary,Ms Titilayo Shitta -Bey, in her remarks at the virtual webinar noted that the Restorative Justice Centre’ has a great potential for decongesting court dockets as well as correctional centres, promoting peaceful communities, transforming the criminal justice system, heals wounds of crime as well as reintegration of offenders. Noting the importance of this initiative, he said that the ‘Restorative Justice Centre’ will soon be launched by the State Government in order to ensure an effective dispensation of justice whereby people can walk into the centre to make enquiries as well as file complaints. Also speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba in his address noted that the annual international Restorative Justice (RJ) week held every November is to create awareness about the benefits of restorative justice for the victim, offender , community and stakeholders. The chief judge who was represented by Hon. Justice O. Oshodi stated that restorative justice is a method used for dealing with a crime that puts the needs of victims first while the offender takes responsibility for their actions. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey reiterated that Restorative Justice is a form of diversion which is also an ongoing global shift in the perception of crime and punishment. According to her “This webinar is mainly to sensitize and equip our stakeholders with necessary knowledge and skills on how to apply the Restorative Justice system in their various districts”. She also said that the decision to adopt a restorative justice approach in the state judiciary was based on the need to ensure that offenders are not just punished but rather to reintegrate back into society. Shitta-Bey reiterated that the Coordinating Centre will be launching very soon and will also be equipped with excellent and exceptional RJ facilitators to ensure transparency and management of the due process to restorative justice in the state. A keynote speaker at the webinar, Hon. Justice Chinyere Ani of the High Court, Enugu State, stated that RJ is as old as man and its approach to crime dates back thousands of years as it has been the dominant model of criminal justice throughout most of human history. “Some of the goals and objectives of RJ program include; holding the offender accountable in a meaningful way, increasing victim and community satisfaction, repairing harm caused by the offender, reducing Incarceration, reintegrating the offender into the community, increasing public confidence in the justice system and saving time and cost of prosecution”. In addition Hon. Justice Chinyere Ani stated that RJ is mainly used for cases involving children/juvenile offenders or when the offence is of a non-serious nature and there is need for reconciliation. “Courts can apply Restorative sentence in addition to light custodial sentence or may in addition to the agreed terms of VOM, give the offender a sentence such as community service, parole caution or suspended sentence”. She further explained that RJ is about communication, confrontation, accountability, healing, compensation, restoration and restitution. It considers crime largely as an infraction against people within communities, contrary to the more abstract legal explanation of crime as harm against the state. Others panelist at the webinar include, the associate professor, faculty of law, UNILAG, Dr. Akeem Bello, and RJ Coordinator for Jamaica, Andriene Lindsay.

Lagos Hosts Southwest Attorneys- General Meeting

Posted on November 25, 2021

Lagos State is hosting the quarterly meeting of South West Attorneys – General which commenced on Wednesday 24th of November, 2021 A Statement released by the office of the Hon. Attorney- General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, disclosed that the Hon. Attorneys -General will discuss issues of crucial importance, including the Implementation of Judicial/ Legislature (Financial Autonomy); Laws in South West States; South West States Proposals for the reform of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and other pressing legal issues The meeting is being attended by Attorneys -General of Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo States. The meeting ends on Friday 26th November 2021.

LASG Encourages Victims of Harm To Take Advantage Of Restorative Justice

Posted on November 25, 2021

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has urged the general public, especially victims of harm, to take advantage of Restorative Justice(RJ) in the State as it is an alternative to incarceration or statutory punishment for minor offences. The State’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, stated this during an interview session on Lagos Traffic Radio, Ikeja on Tuesday to create awareness about restorative justice for victims and it’s benefits for the society as part of activities lined up to celebrate “Y2021 Restorative Justice Week” She noted that the State’s Ministry of Justice under the leadership of the Commissioner for Justice and attorney-general, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has continued to ensure speedy dispensation of justice as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S development Agenda , which is key to an effective administration of justice in the State. Adeyemi noted that Restorative Justice is about finding a way to establish communication between the offender and the victim. “For offenders, the RJ program offers an opportunity to take responsibility for the harm they have caused and likewise the victims; it aims to reduce the feeling of anger”. Expatiating more on RJ, Adeyemi noted that Restorative Justice seeks to promote and maintain healthy relationship between the offender and victim; respecting and listening to the opinions of the public as people are more likely to forgive when they tell their stories, repairing any harm done by offenders and ensuring that the parties involved in the crime do not go back to cause more harm in the society. In addition, she said the Restorative Justice program will further decongest the courts, correctional facilities and also ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the State. The Coordinator Prison Fellowship Nigeria and Member of the Lagos State Restorative Justice, Mr. Benson Iwuagwu, during the media appearance stated that the Restorative Justice Week has been celebrated annually to acknowledge the impacts and achievements of the RJ approach and its application in Nigeria while Lagos is hosting this year’s edition. “Some of the benefits of Restorative Justice includes enhancing community involvement in the dispute resolution process, helping the victims and offenders live with the burden of offence and preventing re-offending”. Iwuagwu said Restorative Justice Processes have great potential to empower victims and survivors of crimes and offer them closure, stating that RJ can serve victims of different types of crime most especially minor cases. The coordinator also mentioned that the people affected by the crime should be able to take part in the resolution which can also be therapeutic to victims, offenders and the society at large. The Director Public Prosecutions however added that residents can contact the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State for more information on Restorative Justice.

Lagos Commemorates Restorative Justice Week.

Posted on November 23, 2021

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice celebrates this year’s restorative justice week, a week set aside in the third week of November to create awareness about the role and importance of restorative justice practices as it relates to the promulgation of the ethos of justice based on putting victims first as well as giving them a voice. According to a release signed by the Lagos State Restorative Justice Steering Committee, this year’s event with the theme ” Protect and Empower the Person Harmed” is to create awareness about restorative justice for victims, the benefits it can create for society as well as addressing injustices and harm in a humane way. This year’s theme is also apt given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on victims of crimes and the justice system according to the statement. Other activities earmark for this year includes sensitisation programmes, community outreach and a webinar for stakeholders which is scheduled for Tuesday, 30th November. The State is also set to launch the Restorative Justice Centre which will serve as the coordinating hub for RJ referrals. The week is is observed by diverse groups involved in restorative justice including Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), government departments, academic and other stakeholders in the justice system. Restorative Justice is a method used for dealing with a crime that puts the needs of victims first while the offender takes responsibility for their actions. This practice focuses on addressing conflict through participation and reconciliation. The Lagos State Restorative Justice Steering Committee was established by the State Criminal Justice Reform Committee to create awareness and develop policies as well as an operational framework for implementing Restorative Justice. In addition to deploying restorative justice as a tool for decongesting correctional facilities across the State, it will also promote peaceful communities, transforms criminal justice system, heals wounds of crime as well as reintegration of offenders. Members of the Committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice; Judiciary, Correctional Service, Police, Prison Fellowship Nig., Multi-door CourtHouse, Citizens Mediation Center(CMC) as well as the academia.

OPD Wins Compensation For Wrongful Termination Of Contract Over Health Status

Posted on November 23, 2021

OPD Wins Compensation For Wrongful Termination Of Contract Over Health Status The Lagos State government through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has won the sum of over Two million naira for a former worker ( name withheld ) of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, Lagos for wrongful termination of employment, stigmatization, embarrassment, psychological and emotional trauma. The company is also to pay the former staff the sum of One hundred thousand naira as the cost of action. Delivering judgement in the case, Hon. Justice Ikechi Nweneka of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division said the Defendant ( Ocean Marine Solutions Limited) did not provide the Claimant with a contract of employment in breach of the Labour Act, and threw the Claimant into the society without support whatsoever. The court said further that the Defendant showed flagrant disregard for the Claimant’s fundamental rights to privacy, dignity and freedom from discrimination on account of her HIV positive status. There were several attempts at negotiated settlement by the Citizens’ Mediation Centre but it proved abortive hence OPD waded in and took legal action against the company on behalf of the sacked worker. The former worker was employed by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited as a cleaner in 2017 and in April of 2018, she was directed by the company with other five staff to go for a medical examination at a private medical centre on Victoria Island, Lagos. The company did not inform her of the nature of the medical test and the result was not disclosed to her, but was sent directly to the company upon which the Human Resources and Administrative Managers at various times confronted her and demanded if she had done HIV test during the birth of her children. She responded in the negative and was thereafter directed to go home and take HIV test. Same-day after the directive to go home, she began to receive sympathy, discriminatory and embarrassing messages from her colleagues and was forced to undergo another round of test before being directed not to return to the office until receipt of the test result. She was not told the nature of the test when she demanded to know and not counselled before it was done. The result was also sent to the company which led to her being locked out of the company’s premises by its management and subsequent termination of her employment. The company in its defence, denied all her claims and said it did not schedule her for HIV test but full medical test. That a consent form was provided for her by the health facility but because she could not read English, her colleagues filled the form for her and she signed it. The court upheld the worker submission as presented and argued by OPD Counsel and awarded compensation to the Claimant. The Defendant company has since paid the judgment sum through the Office of the Public Defender to the Claimant and the former worker has collected the bank draft in satisfaction of the judgment debt. Speaking on the case, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN lauded the judgement and said days of impunity, unlawful termination of employment contract based on sex discrimination, religion and health status are over in Lagos state while assuring residents of the protection of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He therefore urged residents of the state to approach the Office of the Public Defender for free legal services.

MOJ Mentorship Programme

Posted on October 5, 2021

As part of our commitment towards enhancing capacities of young lawyers, the Ministry of Justice launched its Mentorship Programme, with 75 young State Counsel matched to Senior Lawyers. The Mentorship Programme which spans for 12 months will provide a great opportunity for State Counsel (Mentees) to connect with a Mentor who can inspire, advice and support the Mentees to build their career, enhance their leadership skills and in turn become excellent legal professionals. Our Mentors have been selected based on their depth of knowledge, sterling character and the impactful leadership capabilities attained in their field of work over the years. I therefore seize this opportunity to thank all our Mentors for partnering with the Ministry of Justice and we are excited to see the mentorship outcomes which will evolve from this initiative. All the best to our Mentees!

Stakeholder’s Meeting with MDAs Working With Ministry Of Justice

Posted on August 27, 2021

In an effort to foster a better work relationship and enhance synergy between MDA’s working with Ministry of Justice in order to achieve prompt and effective dispensation of Justice in Lagos State, the Ministry of Justice on Friday, held an interactive session with MDA’s to dialogue on areas and issues of inter- Ministerial collaboration. The Stakeholders meeting with MDA’s which held at Adeyemi- Bero Auditorium ,Alausa had in attendance, Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice , Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Permanent Secretaries of Ministeries and heads of agencies working with the Ministry of Justice, Directors of the Ministry of Justice and other dignitaries.