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Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Lagos State Government to Prosecute Attackers Of Government Official Carrying Out Their Lawful Duties.

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The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) has expressed the readiness of the State Government to prosecute anyone found assaulting or attacking any government officials in the course of their lawful duties. This is coming after an attack on one LASTMA official around Berger on the 12th February, 2022. The attacker, one Ibrahim Yusuf, a native of Osun State was the driver of a Suzuki mini‐van with Reg. No. KJA 953 YE. Ibrahim  Yusuf on Saturday, 12th of February, 2020 was seen by LASTMA officials who were on routine check willfully breaking the traffic rules by obstructing traffic and parking to pick passengers at different spots not designated as a Bus Stop. The LASTMA official approached the attacker at Berger area and in the bit of arresting the vehicle, the said Ibrahim Yusuf ran into the market and recovered a meat seller’s knife and stabbed one Awotola Victor Olatunde, who was the team leader on his head and also slashed his throat. The attacker threatened to kill the official and leave Lagos State afterwards. All efforts to arrest the violent attacker proved abortive as he was on rage and threatening to kill the official. His vehicle was however taken to the LASTMA office at Ojodu Berger. The said Ibrahim Yusuf was later brought to the police station by the Chairman of the Berger Park and was charged to Court on the Tuesday, 15 th February, 2022. He  was charged before Magistrate Mrs. Kubeinje of Court 4, Ogba for the offences of Attempted Murder and Assault Occasioning Harm contrary to Sections 230 and 173 respectively of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015. The attacker was remanded at the KIrikiri Correctional Centre and the matter adjourned to 30th March, 2022 for DPP’s Advice. The Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) however reiterated that Lagos State Government will not tolerate any form of attack or assaults on its official performing their lawful duties. He also assures the General public that the Office of the DPP will issue the Legal Advice expeditiously and prosecute the case diligently at the High Court to serve as deterrent to would be offenders and attackers.

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Lagos CMC Resolves 1,814  Cases In One Month

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As part of its mandates to ensure amicable conflict and dispute resolutions, Lagos  State Citizens’ Mediation Centre, CMC, on Thursday disclosed that it has resolved 1,814 cases ranging from Landlord/Tenants matters, family disputes and Employers/Employees related issues amongst other matters brought to the Centre in the month of January, 2022. The Director, CMC, Mrs. Biola Oseni, who made this known while reviewing the activities of the agency for the month of January, 2022, stated that the Centre has leveraged on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as a means of decongesting courtrooms across the State. Speaking at the agency’s headquarters, Alausa, Ikeja, the Director disclosed that the total number of cases received by the Centre in January 2022 was 3,611, out of which 1,814 cases were resolved. According to her “247 cases were referred to appropriate agencies of government; 248 cases were adjourned for further mediation, while 1,302 cases were abandoned due to non-attendance at mediation sessions by parties involved.” While reiterating the mandate of the Centre, Oseni revealed that the main objective of CMC is to provide free mediation services in a way that is less cumbersome with the assurance of obtaining justice and fairness for all residents of the State as against leaving Lagosians to resort to self-help and impunity. Her words: “The commitment of the State Government towards Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, in the State as espoused in the T.H.E.M.E.S Developmental Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Administration is non negotiable.” She therefore urged members of the public to embrace ADR platforms to have their disputes resolved amicably and free of charge. Popoola Naheem Olaide Public Affairs Officer Citizens’ Mediation Centre 3/2/2022

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New DCR Tasks Counsel on Optimum Service Delivery

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The newly appointed Director of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ms Adetutu Oshinusi, has harped on the need for increased productivity and optimum service delivery among the counsel of the Directorate Oshinusi disclosed this during a roundtable meeting with counsel and non-counsel, noting that it is high time all the counsel in the Directorate up the ante in a bid to boost the State’s Human Rights record. “It is important to show absolute dedication and commitment to your official duties”. She urged the members of staff to extend to her the maximum cooperation given to her predecessor during her term as this will propel the Directorate forward. Oshinusi who was called to the Nigerian bar in 1991 has an unstinted exposure and experience practising Law in both the Private and Public Sector. Until her deployment, she was a Director in the department of Public Prosecution Taiwo Ade-Balogun Public Affairs Officer Citizens

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Lagos Reiterates On Protecting The Rights Of Children

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Lagos State Government has further reiterated its bid to prevent and curb the alarming rate of sexual and gender based violence against children in the State. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice ,Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) gave  this charge on Tuesday at a webinar organized  by the State Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Ministry of Justice themed “Protecting the Rights of Children, Putting an End to Defilement and other types of Abuse”. Onigbanjo ably represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms Titilayo Shitta -bey during the welcome address stated that children are the leaders of tomorrow and it is  the right of the society to nuture and protect them from vices and abuse of any kind, either physically, emotionally and  psychologically. He further revealed that the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights through its statutory functions ensures the protection and enforcement of the fundamental human rights of Lagos State residents stressing that  the  ‘One Stop Child Justice Centre’ initiative of the directorate  handles all child-related matters (in collaboration with other MDAs) in Lagos State , thereby protecting  the rights of children as provided under the Child Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015. Onigbanjo said that the seminar will serve as a wakeup call to all stakeholders and the general public on Child Protection laws and   invariably curb the menace of abuse,violence, exploitation and neglect of children. . Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Dr. Iyabode Ogunniran stated that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violation in the world as it knows no social, economic or national boundaries. Delivering her paper, themed “Defilement: Prevention, Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanism in Lagos State”, she stressed that one in four girls and one in ten boys experience all forms of sexual violence before the age of 18. The professor stated that some of the adverse effects of Sexual Violence includes shock, fear, anxiety, functional impairment, depression, distrust in others, social isolation, behavioral problems amongst others. Speaking further, Dr. Ogunniran said that preventive measures can be taken through collaboration and joint efforts of Community Heads, Religious Organizations, Community Groups and Educational Institutions whereby a code of conduct that prohibits Sexual and Gender Based Violence is adopted. The Director of the Office of Public Defender, Dr. Babajide Martins during his presentation titled “Strategies of the Lagos State Government in Curbing Defilement and Way Forward” stated that likely perpetrators are usually family members, religious leaders, neighbors and rarely strangers. “Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for Gender Based Violence especially when it involves children, hence the legal framework that has been put in place to prevent, curb and prosecute offenders which includes a policy to make it mandatory for everyone who has contact with a child  is to report any suspected child abuse or violence against a child through the Attorney General of  the State and failure to report has its consequences as they may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities”. Dr Martins said that the section 370 of the ACJL 2021, mandates the State to establish a crime data register also known as the Lagos Criminal Information System. .He said that  the   register contains information of suspects and offenders either convicted or awaiting trial and would also serve as criminal record database, wherein, organizations and employers in the State may apply to obtain criminal records in order to forestall employing a sex offender into an organization. In addition, he listed the Domestic and Violence Agency (DSVA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Office of  the Public Defender (OPD) and Medical/Health Care Centers as first responders of Sexual and Gender  based Violence in the State. The Executive Secretary DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, commended the ‘One Child Justice Centre’ initiative of the Directorate of Citizens Rights. She said that the collated results on the research made on convicted inmates revealed that violent sexual act were mostly perpetrated while   under influence of alcohol, hard drugs and online pornography. “80.9 percent of the inmates said they were sexually abused and became sexually active before turning 18”, she revealed Vivor -Adeniyi added that the agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, frequently  embark on sensitizing  the girl-child including boys, on Sexual and Gender Based Violence programs across the State. Children Human Rights Expert and Social Development Attorney, Mr. Taiwo Akinlami, during the virtual program, stated that children who are sexually abused show sudden changes in behavior or School performance, inappropriately seductive, have sophisticated knowledge or interested in sexual activity , perpetrate sexual activity with another child, particularly a younger or more vulnerable child. “Physical indicators of a child defiled or molested by family members or guardian includes; difficulty walking or sitting, sudden weight change, frequent stomach complaints,  headache, sudden refusal to change clothes at the gym or to participate in physical activities, frequent urinary or yeast infections not explained by medical condition or treatment, getting pregnant or contacting a venereal disease”. Akinlami said that indicators for adolescents may include; self-destruction, promiscuity, drug or alcohol abuse, self mutilation or suicide attempts, eating disorder and possibly become a runaway. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odunsanya, Director of Citizens’ Rights in her closing remarks, appreciated the guest speakers and participants, including  the Chief Jugde of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, ably  represented by Hon. Justice Oshodi, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mr. Bolaji Abayomi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo ably  represented by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi, for their attendance and participation. She urged parents, teachers and caregivers to engage their wards in sex education with their wards adding that  ignorance is a  basic tool that perpetrators use to abuse children, TAIWO ADE-BALOGUN PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER DIRECTOR OF CITIZENS RIGHTS 02/12/21

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LASG Sensitizes Stakeholders On Plea Bargain And District Prosecutor’s Scheme.

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As part of its efforts in the continuous decongestation of correctional facilities across the State and ensuring quick dispensation of justice, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday held a stakeholder’s meeting to further enhance and promote plea bargain and district prosecutor’s scheme of the State Government. Addressing participants at the meeting which was an hybrid version of both physical and online, the Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo(S.A.N) noted that the meeting presents an opportunity to create more awareness about the Plea Bargain and the District Prosecutors Scheme as well as a platform to receive feedback from stakeholders on how to improve and further strengthen the Plea Bargain and District Prosecutor Scheme. According to the Attorney General, The District Prosecutor Scheme took off in April 2020 following the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Police Prosecutors at the Magistrate Courts, chaired by Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey (former Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice), to set up a review mechanism that will ensure residents are not unnecessarily detained for charges that are civil in nature. “Based on these recommendations, Mr. Governors approval was sought and with the cooperation of the Lagos State Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice deployed District Prosecutor’s to three (3) Magistrates Courts (Ebute-Metta. lkorodu, Ogba) to vet charges prior to filing and ensure case files submitted for remand meet the evidential threshold required by law”. “Seeing the huge impact of this scheme, Lagos State Government extended the services to all Magistrate Court Houses across the State”. Onigbanjo noted. The commissioner also stated that plea bargain has served as an important tool to keep the wheel of justice moving in a timely and cost-effective manner as it has helped decongest the extremely congested correctional facilities in the State as available data reveals that the facilities exceed their capacity by 100% with inmates awaiting trial at 85%. “To demonstrate our commitment towards the exercise, we took plea bargain a step further about four (4) months ago, when i led a team of Lawyers to the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Facility for a Plea Bargain sensitization exercise where more than 15 plea Bargain Agreements were executed onsite and sanctioned immediately by the Judges through Virtual Hearing”. Onigbanjo reiterated the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the administration of criminal justice in the State with the implementation of the use of video conferencing in criminal proceedings, Magistrates visits to Police Stations monthly, Prohibition of media parade of suspects, Remote Hearing, Award of compensation to victims of crime among others. He however sought the continued cooperation and partnership of stakeholders to implement the laudable initiatives. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey stated in her welcome address that the State Government has done a lot to improve on its administration of justice system with the various innovations designed by the state which has set the pace for other states. According to her , the Plea Bargain has also assisted in the decongestion of prisons and promotion of speedy dispensation of justice in Lagos State which isn’t restricted to particular persons but for everyone irrespective of the person’s status (rich or poor/illiterate or literate), race and tribe. She also stated that the Ministry recently introduced District Prosecutor’s Scheme following the recommendation of a committee set up by the Attorney General and has created district prosecutor offices in magisterial districts in the state to screen and vet charges before cases are filed and assigned to the magistrate courts. The Director Public Prosecution,Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Adeyinka Adeyemi noted that the essence of the workshop is to eliminate the perceived misconception on plea bargaining hence the need for the sensitisation programme for stakeholders in the legal community as well as the public. She however reiterated that the application for plea bargaining is free while noting that over 500 applications have been reviewed and considered. The State program coordinator of The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa noted that the body has partnered with the State’s ministry of justice on plea bargain with the training of judges, magistrates and prosecutors and also the development of a plea bargain manual to sensitise lawyers and also judicial correspondents on how to report plea bargain processes and outcomes accurately. She commended Lagos State for being a pacesetter in the administration of criminal justice system while urging other states in the federation to emulate the giant strides achieved by the State. Reiterating the importance of the District Prosecutor’s Scheme, a guest speaker and  former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey stated that the District Prosecutor (DP) duty is to ensure that the Attorney General prosecutorial mandate is properly represented at the district level, and that only cases that satisfy the “reasonable suspicion” clause of the 1999 constitution and the “probable case” provision of the ACJL are allowed to pass through the vetting process and end up before the magistrate for trial or remand. This he noted will reduce the issue of congestion of cases while abuse of prosecutorial power would be checked and matters concerning actual suspects will proceed speedily. In his submission, an Associate Professor of Public law at the University of Lagos, Dr. Akeem Bello stated that one of the strategies to decongest correctional facilities is the periodic review of case dockets to identify problematic cases that may be reconsidered for plea bargaining while noting that the negative public perception about plea bargain need to be addressed through a systematic engagement and enlightenment of the public. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Legal unit of the Nigerian Police Force, lawyers, district prosecutors, law firms, representatives from the correctional facilities in the State, amongst others. ALO GRACE DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF JUSTICE 22/10/21

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Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Signs Administration Of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law Of Lagos State,2021

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Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on the 30th of September 2021 assented to the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law [ACJL] of Lagos State, 2021. The ACJL was first passed in Lagos State in 2007 and amended in 2011 (more than ten (10) years ago) to ensure the Fundamental Rights of suspects and persons that come into contact with the justice system, as enshrined in the Constitution are protected. In a bid to further strengthen the justice system, promote the rights of victims and suspects as well as address the issue of delay in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Lagos State, key innovative provisions have been introduced as amendments to the Law. The provisions include conducting criminal proceedings through audio and video conferencing platform, powers of Chief Magistrate to visit Police Stations, prohibition of media parade of suspects, compensation to victims of crime, protective measures for victims and witnesses as well as the Establishment of a Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee to monitor the implementation of this Law. This further reinforces the commitment of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the promotion of Law & Order, Protection of rights of Citizens, decongestion of our Correctional Facilities and ensure a crime-free society in Lagos State. The Ministry of Justice through collaborative effort with Stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice will ensure the provisions of this law are enforced. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice 5th October 2021

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OPD Pays Coutersy Visit to Traffic Radio

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The management of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos traffic radio. Speaking during the visit,  the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Babajide Martins said the visit was to explore area of cooperation and support the radio station can provide for the agency in the more news report and coverage of OPD activities. According to him, OPD was not oblivious of teeming population of Lagos residents, especially the indigent and vulnerable who are listeners of Traffic radio that need to know more about the agency in order to use its free legal services to the fullest. He further said that OPD  counsel are being regularly trained to deliver first class free legal services in line with the current administration philosophy of security and governace for the good people of the state. Receiving the management of OPD, the General Manager of Lagos traffic radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle said the radio station  through its services was unique and reliable when it comes to traffic news and this made the station first choice to radio listeners in the state and beyond ” the radio station has become darling of motorists and road users because of reliability of its traffic news, professionalism  and  timely dissemination of road news to the residents and visitors to the state alike” He assured Office of the Public Defender of the radio station readiness to support its efforts  to become more visible in the public space and delivery of statutory responsibility. The visit was in continuation of OPD management efforts to get more media coverage for its activities and enlightenment of the grassroots people in the state. Mamud Hassan Public Affairs Unit OPD, 30th September, 2021.

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Lagos Sensitizes Epe, Ibeju Communities On Landgrabbing, Property Protection Law

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Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, sensitized residents of Epe and Ibeju communities on the nefarious activities of Landgrabbers and the State Property Protection Law. The State Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice who is also the Chairman Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN who spoke at a Stakeholders meeting on Land grabbing held at Jata Hall, Ibeju said the rising cases of Land grabbing is an issue of great concern to the State Government. “As part of the effort to address the issue of land grabbing in the state, the Lagos State Government enacted a law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in the State” Onigbanjo stated. He said resolving land grabbing issues is of great importance to the Sanwo-olu Administration. The Attorney- General who was represented by the Director, Office of the Public Defender , Dr. Babajide Martins stated that the menace of Land grabbers has imparted negatively on the growth of the real estate industry and investment. “It is a fact that property transactions in Lagos State have been greatly hindered by the activities of the Omo-Onile and Ajagungbales Martins said. While delivering a paper on the theme, “ Land grabbers, the Law and your Rights”, Martins, emphasized that the law on land grabbing that was enacted in 2016 still stands regardless of one’s status in the society. He explained some of the provisions of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016 and ln particular, Section 2(1) of the Law, which prohibits the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any landed property or engaging in any act inconsistent with the proprietary rights of the owner of any landed property in Lagos . Also, the Oba Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, said that Land grabbers for decades have constituted a threat to property acquisition in Lagos, saying that there has been alarming reports of Land grabbing. While acknowledging the State Government efforts at curbing Land grabbing in Lagos, Oba Ogunsanwo noted that the community also has an important role to play in the ‘Greater Lagos initiative’. Ogunsanwo , however, implored the State Government and the Police to ensure immediate prosecution of identified land grabbers and their sponsors to serve as deterrent to other citizens.

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Osibajo Meets With Southwest Attorneys -General

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The Southwest Attorneys-General (SWAG) met on Tuesday, 21st September 2021 with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja to exchange views on several issues of national importance and discuss ongoing reforms in their various states. The Vice-President being a former Attorney General of Lagos State is considered by many to be the godfather of modern day justice sector reforms in Nigeria with his unrivaled accomplishments as the Attorney-General of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. The Vice President during his time as Lagos State Attorney-General introduced a new way of thinking in the areas of access to justice and the administration of criminal justice by trailblazing many of the justice sector reforms still being rolled out today across the Federation. One of the areas the Vice-President asked the Attorneys – General to prioritise is, the issue of delay in the administration of justice in their respective states. He acknowledged their current individual efforts in this regard while enjoining them  to work together to deepen the impact of reforms aimed at tackling the challenge of delay in the administration of Justice

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LASG Tasks Residents On Peaceful Coexistence

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…. As CMC commemorates International Day of Peace. The Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) has called for peaceful and harmonious coexistence among citizens and residents of the State, stressing that peace is a veritable tool for achieving impactful progress and economic excellence, most especially in a post-pandemic global economy. Making this known on Tuesday, 21st September, 2021 at the International Day of Peace at the Office of the CMC, Ikeja, the Director, Mrs. Biola Oseni, said for any society to achieve meaningful developments, the Government and the people must put machinery in place to maintain peace and orderliness amongst its people. Oseni said, “In this present day, it is globally acknowledged that the world is in dire need of peace in all nations, hence, we all need to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of peaceful coexistence by being Change agents”. According to her, Lagos State recognizes its importance as not just the commercial nerve center of Nigeria but the entire Sub-Saharan African States, therefore, has fostered mechanism that will ensure development and promote economic activities. “The Government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the constitution al rights of all citizens and residents are protected by sustaining various institutions under the justice sector such as the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Office of Public Defender (OPD), Directorate of Citizens’ Right (DCR), and Land Grabbers among others. This is also simply to ensure that the interest of an average citizen, especially indigent and vulnerable in the society are protected”, she noted. While stating that all individuals and stakeholders have a role to play in the way we relate, speak and address issues between and among one another, the Director noted that at CMC, matters that could cause enmity among and between residents are resolved within a minimal time frame of charge for both disputing parties. On his part, the National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, said the International Day of Peace is an important and strategic day among all the United Nations International Days, as the day intends to wholly celebrate peace throughout the world. Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Recovering Better For An Equitable and Sustainable World” Soremekun said its aptness cannot be overemphasized in the sense that all nations across the globe are just emerging from the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and are in dire need of peace for prompt recovery in all facets. This year’s celebrations witnessed “a walk for peace” starting from the CMC’s office at Alausa to Ikeja under bridge and Agege Pen Cinema bridge where residents were sensitized on the need to ensure and sustain peace at all times by approaching the Office for amicable resolution of varying societal issues causing disagreements. Popoola Naheem Olaide Public Affairs Officer Citizens’ Mediation Centre

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