Skip to main content

Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE

Posted on

RE: BUDGET DEFICIT: GOVERNMENT MAY SELL TBS, NIPPs, 25 KEY ASSETS. The attention of Lagos State Government has been drawn to news report in the front page of Punch Newspaper dated 21st October, 2022 that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is planning to either sell or grant concession in respect of Tafawa Balewa Square situate in Lagos Island, Lagos State. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (HAGF) must be aware that the position of Federal Government to either sell or concession the Tafawa Balewa Square cannot be valid as the HAGF is the Plaintiff in Suit No. SC.508/2012 between Attorney General of the Federation vs. Attorney General of Lagos State pending before the Supreme Court wherein the HAGF is seeking for declaration that the ownership of the land, building, monuments structures and fixtures better known as Tafawa Balewa Square in the city of Lagos is vested in the Federal Government. The Suit is fixed for 1st November, 2022 for hearing by the apex Court. Unfortunately this is the second time the Federal Government and its Agencies have taken this position. Which is quite contrary to the recognition that there is an existing and pending dispute between the parties in relation to the ownership of the Tafawa Balewa Square and this resulted in the HAGF invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to seek resolution of the dispute between the Federal Government and Lagos State Government. In response to the Federal Government’s first attempt to circumvent the matter pending at the Supreme Court, on the 17th of June, 2021 the Lagos State Government took out an advertorial in the Punch Newspaper to refute the allegation of Federal Government and its Agencies to ownership of the Tafawa Balewa Square. A copy of the advertorial is attached for ease of reference. It is the position of law that once parties have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of court they are not take to any action that will affect the subject matter of the Suit and any plan to either sell or concession the Tafawa Balewa Square during the pendency of the Suit before the Supreme Court will violate the principle of lis pendis and such sale or concession is liable to be declared null and void. As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation it is incumbent on your office to advise the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget And National Planning and Bureau of Public Enterprises that no such sale or concession in respect of Tafawa Balewa Square is to be embarked upon until the Suit instituted by your office in the Supreme Court is determined. Signed Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN Honourable Attorney General And Commissioner For Justice, Lagos State 26th October, 2022

Read More

Lagos Orders Coroner’s Inquest into Death of Bimbo Ogbona

Posted on

The Lagos State Government has ordered a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of  death in the case of the late Bimbo Ogbonna who allegedly died recently as a result of severe fire injuries. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN ) gave the directive recently noting that thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause if death. “A Coroner’s Inquest has immediately been requested , in line with section 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of death. By Section 14(1)(d) of the Coroners’ System Law of the State: “A report of death shall be made to any of the agencies for the report of death or the office of the Coroner and be subject to post-mortem examination where there is reasonable cause to believe that the cause of death was: violent, unnatural or suspicious.” Section 15(1) and (9) further enjoins the Coroner to hold an inquest whenever he or she is informed that the death of the deceased person was in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation or believes an inquest is desirable following the report of a reportable death. The commissioner noted that as a government, the security and wellbeing of citizens are of utmost importance while assuring the public that everything will be done to ensure that the cause of death is known.  “The findings of this investigation will be made public in due course and appropriate sanctions meted out to anyone found culpable”. The Attorney General also charged the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to assist the Police and other law enforcement agencies  in investigating the case and ascertaining the cause of death of the late Bimbo Ogbonna which which had attracted wide media attention. The Executive Secretary, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi also reiterated the State government’s resolve to ensure perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence crimes are brought to face the full wrath of the law and urged residents  to report cases of domestic and Sexual Violence cases to the DSVA office in Alausa Ikeja or call the toll free number 08000333333 (24/7).

Read More

PRESS RELEASE

Posted on

LASG APPEALS AGAINST LASTMA JUDGMENT The Lagos State Government on the 30th day of September, 2022 filed a Notice of Appeal containing four (4) grounds of appeal against the judgment of Honourable Justice Olalekan Oresanya delivered on 22nd day of September, 2022 wherein the Court held that LASTMA could not impose fines and tow vehicles without an Order of Court of competent jurisdiction. The State Government reviewed the judgment and dissatisfied with same, has exercised its constitutional right of appeal by filing a Notice of Appeal on the 30th day of September, 2022. An application for Stay of Execution of the judgment has also been filed. Consequently, members of the public are therefore advised to be law abiding and ensure compliance with relevant Laws of the State. SIGNED HAMEED OYENUGA Director of Civil Litigation Lagos State Ministry of Justice. 5th October,2022

Read More

Press Release: Lagos Parking Levy

Posted on

LAGOS PARKING LEVY IS CONSTITUTIONAL The Attention of the Lagos State Parking Authority has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr. Femi Falana SAN on the power of the Agency to collect parking levy in respect of parking spaces…. Download full version

Read More

PRESS RELEASE: LASG REACTS TO ALLEGED VIRAL VIDEO OF DISMISSED CUSTOMARY COURT MEMBER ,MR ISHOLA RAZAKI ADEYEMI

Posted on

The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a viral video circulating the  social media space wherein one Mr. Olayemi Ayeni ( The Complainant )alleged that a former Customary Court Member, Mr. Ishola Razaki Adeyemi, abused his office by exhibiting unprofessional conduct in a customary court case involving the Complainant and his wife and proceeded to snatch his wife and children from him. The matter which occurred between 2014/2015 was investigated by the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission. The findings of  the investigation subsequently led to the termination of the appointment of the Member of the Customary Court. It was discovered that the viral video was posted by “Ogbongefriends” sometime in 2016. Members of the public are informed that the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has attempted to reach out to Ogbongefriends on their various social media accounts,  but unfortunately their accounts  have not been active since 2018. All efforts to reach out to the complainant have been to no avail. We therefore use this medium to encourage anyone with useful information about the complainant  to please reach out via our social media handles- @dsvrt on twitter or @dsva  on instagram or on 0813-796-0048. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi Executive Secretary Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency 4th of July, 2022

Read More

PRESS RELEASE: RESPONSE TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN PRESS CONFERENCE OF ONE MR. LAI OMOTOLA

Posted on

Our attention has been drawn to several online publications, more particularly, a publication contained in the Punch Newspaper of June 15, 2022, titled “LAGOS AG accused of filing charges with forged documents, Onigbanjo denies claim”. The reports revealed that one Mr. Lai Omotola at a press conference held on Monday June 13 2022, stated that the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice Lagos State collaborated with the Police to forge and relied on forged documents to initiate criminal proceedings against him at the High Court of Lagos State. The allegations are unfounded, false and a calculated attempt to manipulate and evade prosecution. The following represents the facts in this matter: 1. The Task Force on Land Grabbers “Task Force” received a petition dated 25/06/19 initially accusing one Mr. Fatai Okesiji of land grabbing, illegal encroachment and forcefully taking over possession of a land situate at No 63 Iju Road, Agege. By subsequent petition on the same land dated 28/9/19, the petitioners alleged that Mr. Lai Omotola of Master Reality International Concepts Ltd and Mr. Fatai Okesiji were the ones who illegally grabbed their land. 2. After investigating the allegations contained in the above petitions, the Task Force found merit in the petition and restored the petitioner (Estate of Moshood Aremu Olatokunbo) into possession having discovered that Mr. Lai Omotola and Mr. Fatai Okesiji forcefully took over possession of the land contrary to the provisions of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016. 3. Having been dispossessed of a land which did not belong to him, Mr Lai Omotola proceeded to make verbal accusations of corruption against the Coordinator of the Task Force (Mr Arole). Mr Omotola was then informed through his lawyer to put his accusations in writing to enable investigation. 4. On 2/02/20 and 19/02/20, Mr Lai Omotola petitioned the Hon. Attorney General’s Office and a Committee was set up to look into the issues. The Committee invited Mr. Lai Omotola and the official accused, to testify before it. At the end of its deliberations, the Committee came to the conclusion that Mr. Lai Omotola could not substantiate his allegations of corruption against the Coordinator of the Task Force. Contrary to Mr Omotola’s allegation that the outcome of the Committee’s decision was not made available to him, the outcome was communicated to him by a letter dated 21/02/22 which was received in his office on 28/02/22. 5. Still dissatisfied with this outcome, Mr. Lai Omotola proceeded to start harassing and intimidating the Coordinator of the Task Force with all sorts of frivolous petitions, as a result of which the Coordinator was dragged before Zone 2 Police Command, EFCC and IGP’s Monitoring Team, Abuja. THE CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST MR LAI OMOTOLA 6. Upon conclusion of investigations based on petiton and cross-petition received by Zone 2 Police Command, from Lai Omotola and Estate of Moshood Aremu Olatokunbo, the duplicate casefile was forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for issuance of Legal Advice. Finding that a prima facie case had been established, the DPP issued Legal Advice dated 27/10/20, which indicated that “a prima facie case of Conspiracy and Willful Damage to Property and Securing Entry to Property by Violence ….”  was disclosed against Mr. Lai Omotola. 7. Based on the foregoing the DPP’s office filed a four Count charge against Mr. Lai Omotola. A letter dated 8/07/21 from the law firm of Lukman Iman & Co (solicitors to Mr. Lai Omotola) acknowledged that the charge sheet was served on Mr. Omotola contrary to the allegations of non-service of the charge sheet on him during his press conference. 8. The matter came up at the High Court of Lagos State for the first time on 22/3/21, but Mr. Omotola was absent. Owing to his absence in Court on that day, the Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. However, the bench warrant was revoked on the 25/10/21 when Mr. Omotola appeared in court accompanied by his lawyer. 9. On subsequent adjourned dates, Mr. Omotola failed to appear before the Court and was absent on 9 occasions before the Court issued another bench warrant on 8/06/22, directing the police to arrest him and produce him before the court to answer the charges against him. On all these occasions, Mr. Omotola’s lawyers were in Court. 10. Rather than present himself before the Court to answer to the charges levelled against him, Mr. Omotola deployed all manner of antics to delay and frustrate the trial of this matter. The latest of which is his press conference. 11. The allegations by Mr. Lai Omotola are therefore refuted and unfounded. Furthermore, by his actions, Mr. Lai Omotola is now a fugitive and anyone who has information about his whereabouts should inform the nearest Police station so that he can be arrested and brought before the court Dated This 20th June 2022

Read More

Lagos  inaugurates Kings Club to boost positive masculinity in male students

Posted on

In furtherance of the KINGS CLUB initiative, the Lagos State Deputy Governor ,Dr Obafemi Hamzat ,has inaugurated the club created by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to re-orient and educate young male students in secondary schools around the six (6) education districts in Lagos State with the aim of  debunking socio-cultural misconceptions, promote positive masculinity, and bring about positive behavioral changes. Speaking at the ceremony held at the Oregun Senior High Schoo Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos,the Deputy Governor of the State, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education,Mr Abayomi Abolaji  commended the efforts made by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and all stakeholders in the campaign to stem the rising incidence of domestic and gender-based violence, particularly as it affects children, youths with innocent and impressionable minds. He added that “Our administration will continue to develop and implement strategies and initiatives that will protect and enhance the quality of all in Lagos State”. He urged the young students to speak up and report to the nearest authority in the case of acts of inappropriate behaviour, bullying or body shaming among others even as he assured of necessary support to victims, “Violence is not gender specific. It affects everybody, either in the classroom or the playground,” the deputy Governor stated. The Honourable Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN)  ably represented by Mr. Saheed Quadri (Director of the Directorate of Advisory Services,Ministry of Justice) stressed that the  Kings Club project will engender a sustainable social structure in educational institutions that will help debunk sociocultural misconceptions and promote positive masculinity and bring about behavioral and attitudinal change in the minds of young boys in Lagos State. Onigbanjo further advised the participants to avoid being perpetrators of sexual and gender-based offences. He made reference to the data which indicates that, one in every eight boys would have suffered at least one violent interaction before the age of 18, and 61% of the affected boys do not know where to seek help. He added that boys who grow up having experienced abuse commit a vast majority of sexual and gender-based violence offences. While addressing the 161 inductees from the education districts, the Mrs. Titilola Vivour – Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of DSVA stated that the only method to confront this “shadow epidemic” of societal violence perpetrated primarily and mostly by male population is to “catch them young” by embarking on a timely intervention titled: ‘The Kings Club:Promoting Positive Masculinity’

Read More

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

Posted on

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.

Read More

Lagos Launches Restorative Justice Centre

Posted on

……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.

Read More

BREAKING: Court Arraign Lagos Socialite

Posted on

Lagos socialite, Ms. Ogbulu Chindinma Pearl has been arraigned on Monday before Chief Magistrate Kehinde Ogundare at the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Oshodi. Ogbulu was arraigned on a four (4) count charge of distributing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS ) a.k.a Petrol as souvenir during her installation party on the 5th of March,2022  at Havillah Event Centre, Lagos. The offences violates section 251(1), 168 (1), 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and Section 195 (2)(b) of the Environmental Management Protection Law of Lagos State 2017. The defendant was granted bail  in the sum of of Two million Naira (N2,000,000)  and 2 responsible sureties in like sum,address to be  verified  and 3years tax clearance payment The Matter was adjourned till 24th March,2022 for trial.

Read More