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Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS COURT REMANDS DR. OLUFEMI OLALEYE OVER ALLEDGED DEFILEMENT

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A Domestic and Sexual Violence Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday has remanded one Dr. Olufemi Olaleye of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, over alleged Defilement and Sexual Penetration of his wife’s niece. The defendant was arraigned today, 30th of November, 2022, before Hon. Justice Ramon Oshodi, on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual penetration against a minor which is contrary to Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Olaleye pleaded not guilty before the court. Hon. Justice Ramon Oshodi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must have landed property in the state and also provide evidence of tax payments in the last three years. The defendant must also deposit his international passport including his British passport. The Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, argued that the condition for bail is well noted in the law, noting that the charge against him attracts life sentence. However, Hon. Justice Ramon Oshodi ruled that the defendant be remanded is Ikoyi correctional facility, while he fixed trial for 19th and 21st of December, 2022.

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PRESS RELEASE

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LAGOS PAC: COMMITTED TO OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO RESIDENTS The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Public Advice Centre (PAC), is committed to providing easy access to information for residents seeking to know their rights and responsibilities while offering free legal advice on infringement cases in tandem with the State Government T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda on security and governance. This statement was disclosed by the Director of the Centre, Mrs. Husseina Akinnawo during a chat with the media team in her office recently. Mrs. Husseina Akinnawo stated that the Centre is an intermediary between the State Government and the grassroots who require enlightenment on the policies of the State Government. According to her, PAC also serves as a First Port of Call  for residents in distress and a Directory for those who need information on where to seek recourse or help in cases of infringement by way of referral to relevant government institutions in accordance with the extant Laws of Lagos State. “The Centre is modelled according to the United Kingdom Citizens Advice Bureau now called Citizens Advice which resolves issues on limitless range of subjects”, she said. The Director further disclosed that the PAC has treated over 3 million cases and recorded notable milestones since inception in 2008. In the last one year, the PAC has attended to 8,987 cases ranging from free legal advice and referred cases from tenancy matters to debt recovery, domestic violence,  consumer advisory services, violation of human rights violation, Social  Exclusion and environmental related issues to mention but a few that are on its mandate which has helped to ensure access to justice and maintenance of stability in the society through the promotion of legal awareness. “To ensure that residents in the State take advantage of the services the State Government provides, the Centre plans to embark on more sensitizaition campaigns, using both digital and traditional methods, while planning to open Sub-Offices in the 4 divisions of Lagos State which will expand to the 20 Local Government Areas of the State and the 37 LCDAs for more residents to benefit” she added.

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PRESS STATEMENT

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PRESS STATEMENT ON THE LATE OLUWABAMISHE AYANWOLA COURT PROCEEDINGS THE STATE OF LAGOS V ANDREW NICE OMINIKORON – CHARGE NO LD/18316C/2022 As we approach the first post-humous birthday of Oluwabamishe Ayanwola, the Lagos State Government again empathizes with the family on the incident that led to the untimely death of their loved one. The Government wishes to reiterate that it will, through the Ministry of Justice, leave no stone unturned in ensuring the diligent prosecution of the Defendant- Andrew Nice Ominikoron. Towards fulfilling this obligation, the Defendant was arrested by the Police on the 7th of March, 2022. A five-count charge, which includes the offences of Murder, Rape, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and Sexual Assault, was preferred against the Defendant and he has since been arraigned before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the High Court of Lagos State on 22nd of March 2022. In the proof of evidence, the State lined up nine (9) witnesses to testify. Trial commenced on the 9th of May, 2022 and from the time of arraignment till date, the case has come up eleven (11) times. The State has called seven (7) witnesses with thirteen (13) exhibits tendered. PW7 whose examination-in-chief was concluded on 31st day of October, 2022 is now being cross examined by defence counsel and the case stands adjourned till 5th of December, 2022 for continuation of trial. The prosecuting team is being led by the Honourable Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions to underscore the importance and priority given to the case by the State. The family of Oluwabamishe Ayanwola is represented by Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana or counsel from his chambers. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, also sends a legal team to observe the proceedings. Remarkable progress has been made in the matter and the State has demonstrated its readiness and determination to ensure the matter is prosecuted to its logical conclusion by ensuring that all its witnesses are available and ready to testify. Between date of arraignment (March 2022) till date, 7 witnesses out of 9 have testified. The family of the deceased as well as members of the public are hereby assured that the trial of the Defendant is ongoing and the Lagos State government will not relent in its effort to ensure that justice is speedily served in the case. Dated this 20th November, 2022  T.K. SHITTA-BEY (MS) Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Justice    

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PRESS RELEASE

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RE: COURT BARS LAGOS, OTHER STATES FROM CONTROL OF INLAND WATERWAYS 1. The attention of Lagos State Government has been drawn to online reports dated 8th November 2022 in BUSINESS INSIDERNG and shipandports.com.ng titled “COURT BARS LAGOS, OTHER STATES FROM CONTROL OF INLAND WATERWAYS”  and “COURT BARS STATES FROM CONTROL OF INLAND WATERWAYS”, where it was respectively reported that by a recent decision of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/142/2022 between Bright Waters Energy Limited (plaintiff) and the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, River State, the Hon. Commissioner of Environment, Rivers State and Petroleum Financial Corporate (PFC) as (defendants), no state government in the country has the power or authority to legislate over inland waterways.  The State Government is therefore compelled to write a response in the following manner because of the inaccuracies the report conveyed. 2. In a judgement delivered on the 17th of July, 2017 the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division in CA/S/886/2014 BETWEEN LAGOS STATE WATERWAYS AUTHORITY & 3 OTHERS VS. THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF ASSOCIATION OF BOAT OPERATORS & WATER TRANSPORTATION IN NIGERIA & 5 OTHERS. held that by the combined interpretation of Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, especially items 29, 36 and 64 of the Exclusive Legislative List the waterways cutting across International and State boundaries are to be declared as such by the National Assembly but there is nothing in the Exclusive List dealing with Inter-state waterways either in Lagos or any other State in the Federation. According to the Court of Appeal, item 64 deals with water from sources declared by the National Assembly to be sources affecting more than one State. The inland waterways within Lagos State are not and cannot by any stretch of interpretation be covered by any item on the Exclusive Legislative List under Part 1 to the Second Schedule of the Constitution. 3. The Court of Appeal held that absence of Lagos State intra-waterways in the Exclusive List and Concurrent List makes it automatically a Residuary Item that falls within the Legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly. 4. The National Inland Waterways Authority dissatisfied with the above judgement of the Court of Appeal appealed to the Supreme Court where the matter is now pending. 5. By the judgment of the Court of Appeal referred to above, the Lagos State House of Assembly is competent to make Laws in respect of the Intra-inland waterways in Lagos State except the Inter-state waterway declared as International or Inter-state waterway under item 5 in the Second Schedule to the National Inland Waterways Act CAP N47 LFN 2004.   Signed Hameed Oyenuga Director, Civil Litigation             Lagos State Ministry of Justice             11th of November, 2022  

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PRESS RELEASE

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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

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Lagos Orders Coroner’s Inquest into Death of Bimbo Ogbona

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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).

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PRESS RELEASE

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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