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Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Lagos Solicitor- General Inaugurates MOJ Project Management Team

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The Solicitor -General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey on Tuesday constituted the Project Management Team to manage the execution of Capital Projects  in Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The Project Management Team was inaugurated in line with the Head of Service Circular dated 21st April, 2021 on Establishment and Composition of Project Management Team and in compliance with Section 28 Sub (1) of Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021. While inaugurating the MOJ Nine- member Project Management Team, the SG/PS noted that the team will be responsible for the overall decision on projects in compliance with business and  ministerial responsibilities and the needs of the Ministry. The Nine- member Project Management Team for the ministry include, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Director, Administration & Human Resources, Adebimpe Adedipe, Director, Commercial Law, Kehinde Taiwo; Head, Planning ,Iretiola Ajayi,  Director, Procurement,  Abiodun Bisiriyu, Assistant Chief Planning Officer (CMC), Ogunbadejo Bamidele, Assistant Chief Architect, Arc. Abimbola Ashiru (Ministry of Works and Infrastructure), Chief Procurement Officer, Erisan Abosede Olapeju and Assistant  Director Planning Lagos State Judiciary, Oyekanmi Oladele.

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530 Inmates Take Advantage of Plea Bargain In Lagos

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…as LASG takes plea bargain session to Kirikiri 530 inmates in Correctional Centres in Lagos State have so far taken advantage of the Plea Bargain protocol since it was introduced in the State in 2017. The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, made the disclosure at the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre in Lagos where he led officials of the ministry to a Plea & Sentence Bargain  sensitisation session for Awaiting Trial  Inmates. Onigbanjo said the process which is aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in Lagos State is in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s reform initiative in  the administration of criminal justice in the State. The Attorney General explained that the Plea & Sentence Bargain process which is in collaboration with the Lagos State Command of the National Correctional Centre, the State Judiciary and the Lagos State Police Command will assist in efforts geared towards reducing the population of inmates awaiting trials in Correctional facilities in the State. He noted that the Plea Bargain option is aimed at Prison decongestion and not a ploy to compel inmates to plead guilty to lesser Charges. Onigbanjo said the severity of the offence, length of sentences and acceptance or rejection of the offers by the Judge are major determinants in a Plea Bargain process. He stated that 27 inmates in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre – 16 male and 11 females are beneficiaries of Thursday’s Plea Bargain session that will be replicated at the Ikoyi and Badagary Correctional Centres in Lagos State. The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey earlier in her welcome address, explained that the Plea Bargain process is in compliance with the Lagos State Justice Law 2015 and a testament to the State Government’s commitment to a robust  Administration of Criminal  Justice in the State. “We are here to correct the impression, that Plea Bargain is for the rich alone.  It is for everyone whether they are literate or illiterate, rich or poor,” Shitta-Bey said. The Controller of  Lagos State Command, Nigeria Correctional Centre, Adewale Adebisi said,  inmates congestion is the major challenge in all Correctional facilities in the state. According to him; the Centres are struggling to cope with the congestion caused by 6,000 inmates standing trials. He noted that some of the inmates in Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Correctional Centres have been in custody for 10 to 12 years without trial or conviction. He urged inmates who have been standing trial for a long time to consider the Plea Bargain option.

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LASG To Prosecute Employer Who Allegedly Poured Hot Water On Sales Girl

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The Lagos State Government on Wednesday has announced  the immediate prosecution of 50 year old, Mrs Rashidat Adeleke, for allegedly assaulting her 29- year-old sales lady by pouring hot water on her face at Ikotun Area of the State. The Director, Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said the rescue team stepped into the matter, following a report to the Directorate by the victim Ms. Akinola Bukola. She said, it was gathered that Alhaja Rashidat Adeleke, who owns Super King Mark Supreme Store at No. 35 Ayodele Ogunkoya Street off Governor’s Road, Ikotun area of Lagos, employed the victim as a sales lady in 2019. “She ended up residing with her due to high transportation fare and other stress related issues for the past 18 months before the ugly incident happened.” The Director further noted that, the victim narrated that her employer had the habit of abusing her at the  slighted provocation. While narrating the ugly incident, the victim said two other sales representatives aged 10 and 14, fought at the store which resulted in some damages. “When they got home that fateful evening, Alhaja Adeleke asked the victim how the bangles on sale were damaged by the younger sale girls and she responded that she had no idea what actually happened” Alhaja Adeleke then angrily dragged her into the kitchen, locked her inside and asked the younger sales representatives if there was hot water available and they responded none was available. ” Rashidat Adeleke reportedly boiled water  then poured it on the head of the victim. The victim tried to escape but was prevented by her. She reportedly boiled water the second time, poured it on her and the victim then collapsed. Despite being badly scalded, Alhaja Adeleke went ahead to flog the victim repeatedly. The Director, explained that the employer Rashidat Adeleke has been arrested and transferred to the Gender Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the SCIID, Panti, for prosecution. Taiwo Ade-Balogun  Public Affairs Officer Directorate of Citizens Rights

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LASG Offers Free Legal Consultation to Epe Residents

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The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has provided free legal consultations  to the residents of Epe community on Thursday 3rd June 2021, as part of its continuous statewide legal clinic exercise. According to the  Director for Citizens’ Rights, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, the Joint Legal Clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice to have a one-stop-shop for free legal consultation and other related matters for residents of Lagos State. She added that the Joint Legal Clinic team, comprising all legal service oriented directorates and agencies in the Ministry, which include: Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit, Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) were all represented at the Legal Clinic which held at Epe Local Government Secretariat. Odusanya noted that, the free Legal Clinic is scheduled to hold in all the 5 divisions of Lagos State namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos-Island and Epe, with the aim of reaching and providing easy access to legal consultations and representation for the indigent and vulnerable members of society. Speaking during the exercise, the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Jide Martins, had also explained  that the Legal Clinic was specifically organised for the people at the grassroots of every community across the State in order to bring  access to justice closer to the people, while sensitizing the residents on their Fundamental Human Rights. He said, “This initiative by the Ministry is in compliance with the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu which aims to promote and achieve security and good governance among the residents of Lagos State”. On his part, the Alara of Ilara land, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the residents of Epe Land, to take advantage of the services provided by the Lagos State Government  through the Ministry of Justice as this will ensure  social development and peaceful co-existence of people within the Epe Community. While attesting to the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, at ensuring speedy dispensation of Justice, even as the industrial action by  Judicial staff lingers, he noted that his office,  would  continue to promote among Epe residents, the  option of  resolving conflicts through Mediation, using alternative dispute resolution platforms already provided by the State Government. While expressing his  appreciation  to the state government on behalf of the community, the General Secretary, Oloja in Council, the Odofin of Epe Land, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, commended the Ministry of Justice for bringing the Legal Clinic to their door steps as it affords them the opportunity of accessing  within Epe community, qualitative legal consultations at no cost to them. Dayo Asanbe & Bola Okedunwon Public Affairs Officers Ministry of Justice 3rd June 2021

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LASG Rescues 11- Year -Old Girl, Assaulted by Father

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The Directorate of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice has rescued a 11- year-old girl who was allegedly assaulted by her father. The minor was rescued  after a neighbour on a street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos reported to the Directorate of Citizens Rights. Director, Citizens Rights, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said officials of the Ministry of Justice gathered that the assault on the girl occurred on several occasions before it was formally  reported to the authorities. “The good neighbour stated that the 61 year old man who lost  his wife, the mother of the victim and had remarried, was always in the habit of assaulting the victim and her Sibling”, the Director explained. She noted that the officials of Child Protection Unit, Lagos State ministry of Youth and Social Development has taken the alleged perpetrator to the Police  for further investigations. The Director,  Child  Protection Unit, Mrs. Olubukayo Odukoya, said the victim will be taken to a government facility for a total rehabilitation. Taiwo Ade-Balogun Public Affairs Officer, Directorate of Citizens Rights

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PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V OLANREWAJU JAMES (BABA IJESHA)

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It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations.  On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the  case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise. After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise  on the 4th of May, 2021,  which is to the effect    that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015: Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child-  punishable by 7 years imprisonment, Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment,  Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration-  punishable by life imprisonment, Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and Section 263, Sexual Assault- punishable by 3 years imprisonment. Whilst the  State would ensure that  Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights  as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any  resident of Lagos  State is speedily brought to book. It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses. The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that  in accordance with the DPP’s advise,  charges would be filed accordingly. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice 4th May, 2021

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LASG Warns Against Use of Landgrabbers, Violence In Property Dispute

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The Lagos State Government on Thursday, warned residents with land disputes against resorting to self-help, employing land grabbers to perpetrate violence. The Commissioner for justice/Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ikorodu with the theme “Land Grabbers, the Law, and Your rights”. “All we are saying is that no one should resort to self-help, there are laws in place, and violence  will never be condoned in  settling of disputes in land matters”Onigbanjo said. “The Court of Law is easy access by any aggrieved resident. It is important all residents should learn to uphold the rule of law, rather than resorting to self which lead to  Killing and maiming people all in the name of land disputes. This, will not be tolerated.” Onigbanjo, represented by Saheed Quadri, the Director Advisory Services in the ministry, noted that the government enacted the Lagos State property protection law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties. He accused some traditional leaders and community members of working as accomplices for land grabbers. Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Owolabi Arole, said the use of land grabbers, perpetuating violence and killings over properties have contributed to the stifled property development in the Ikorodu division. Arole disclosed that the taskforce has received over 5000 petitions since its establishment in 2016. He said majority of these disputes are from the Ikorodu area.  A Muslim cleric, the Grand Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque,  Yaya Oshoala,  also indicted lawyers, police, and traditional leaders of complicity in violence emanating from land grabbing incidences. Oshoala said that land grabbers in Ikorodu should not be solely blamed for illegal land acquisition, as some eggs in law enforcement agencies, also collaborate with other elements in the community to engage in illegal land grab. “There is injustice on the part of some family elders and the baales (traditional chiefs) due to their greed and selfish interests,” Oshoala said. “We rely on the police but they some times let us down, these land grabbers collude with them to subvert justice.” Lagos State commissioner of police Hakeem Odumosu, represented by the  Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of operations, Oladotun Odubona, ​said that land grabbing could not be done without the support of conspirators within. He exonerated the police from the allegations of conspiring with land grabbers, saying the police job is to arrest, investigate and prosecute. “Anything done outside that is beyond the scope of police work,” he said. However, the representative of the Ikorodu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Shakiru Omolaja reiterated that section 11 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, prescribes 10 years’ imprisonment for anyone convicted of land grabbing and advised aggrieved parties to seek legal redress. Omolaja implored members of the community to respect the rule of law with regards to Land disputes instead of resulting to violence, saying ” Law is a respecter of no person”.

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Lagos Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers To Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting In Ikorodu

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The Chairman, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, is set to welcome all Stakeholders in Ikorodu division to a  Stakeholders’ Meeting on Land grabbers at the Ikorodu Town Hall, on Thursday 22nd April 2021. The Coordinator, Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Mr. Owolabi Arole who disclosed in a statement, said the meeting is themed “LANDGRABBERS, THE LAW AND YOUR RIGHTS”. According to him, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is determined to put a final stop to the activities of Land grabbers in the State. “It is of great concern that despite many successes already recorded by the Taskforce on Land Grabbers in the fight against the unwholesome Landgrabbing practice, a few recalcitrant Land Grabbers still engage in the act”. Arole noted. The Coordinator, said that Ikorodu division is fortunate to be picked as the location for the flag off for the Stakeholders meeting, which is scheduled to hold in the six divisions of Lagos State as it is one of the major areas in the state where the atrocities of land grabbers are prevalent. He further mentioned that the Stakeholders meeting will provide a good platform to evolve localised strategies that are most effective in tackling the challenges of  Land grabbing where everyone can ask questions about the appropriate measures they must take when they have issues with land grabbers. “Citizens must acquire landed properties the right way which should include the CofO (certificate of occupancy) as this will allow the Special Taskforce on Land grabbers to know exactly what legal steps to take to tackle the involvement of land grabbers” Mr. Owolabi Arole urged. Arole added, “The Law is no respecter of persons regardless of societal status of the people involved. It will definitely take its full course on defaulters of Land Grabbing”. While reiterating  a point made by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,  Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, who is also the Chairman of the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Arole stated that “citizens must bring to the attention of the Taskforce on Land Grabbers any issue bordering on land grabbing by addressing such petition to his office or by calling the LSTFLG hotlines 09096667123, 09020085005”. “The Lagos State property protection law of 2016 is in full swing. The Law which prohibits forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State, prescribes severe penalties with various prison terms for different offenses”, Onigbanjo SAN stated. Kayode Oyekanmi  Director Public Affairs   Ministry of Justice  19th April 2021

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LASG to Digitalise Courts in October

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In its bid to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in Lagos, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration is set to welcome the digitization of Courts in the State. Speaking at the first virtual Bar-Bench Forum 2021 on Wednesday, Lagos State Attorney- General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN noted that the coronavirus pandemic affected the digitalization of the courts as proposed in 2020 but would be achieved in October 2021. He said, the government has put plans in place to digitize 10 selected Court rooms at the first stage in the year. The Attorney-General added that the courtrooms will be equipped with the latest technology to assist the judges and counsel during court proceedings. “The digitalization will ensure speedy dispensation of Justice to the citizens of the State. The interest of Lagos State Citizens is paramount,” Onigbanjo said. He said the digital reform would eradicate all forms of paperwork and also make the Lagos courtrooms first-class in Africa. While speaking on the theme; The aftermath of Endsars protest and Effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the Justice system: Update on effort made so far, Onigbanjo urged participants that Virtual sitting should be embraced by all, noting that it has been ruled by the Federal Court to be Constitutional. “The rest of the world is moving on through the use of virtual sitting, there is a need for us all to embrace digitalization in the Justice sector,” Onigbanjo said. He added that a Lagos Court had the first virtual sitting during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown which was labeled unconstitutional but was later ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Speaking on the destruction of Court buildings in the State during the  Endsars protest, Onigbanjo informed the gathering that the State Government had made budget provisions to renovate the destroyed High Courts and Magistrate Courts buildings in the next quarter of the year. Onigbanjo noted that the state government will be providing 8 Court rooms at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi by the end of April to ease the effect of destroyed Court buildings in the State. Also, during the forum, the Chief Judge of Lagos State Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba said the Judiciary will be investing more in the digitalization and ICT based initiatives in all its Legal engagements. He added, the Judiciary sector will take advantage of the aftermath of the Endsars incident to pursue more Information Communication Technology  ICT programmes aimed at the digitalization of Court proceedings. “To restore speedy Justice delivery in the Justice sector, we have identified problems faced by the Judiciary as we are working tirelessly to resolve all of them” Alogba said the backlog of pending cases at both the State Magistrate and High Courts have been identified and will be looked into accordingly. The Chief Judge, however, appreciated the efforts of the State Government in identifying the effect of the Endsars incident on the Judiciary sector and ensuring that they function well in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virtual Bar – Bench forum was attended by State Attorney/ Commissioner for Justice, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) of Nigeria, Olumide Akpata, Solicitor- General/ Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey, State Counsels and Media Practitioners. Kayode Oyekanmi Director of Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 11th March, 2021

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Man Bags 3 Years Imprisonment for Rape

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A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday 8th, March 2021 sentenced one Henry Egesi to 3 years imprisonment for raping a 19 years old girl in Lagos. Justice Nwaka – Gbagi delivered the judgement in charge no ID/6155C/2017 between the State of Lagos vs Henry Egesi The defendant was arraigned by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions on behalf of Lagos State Government in 2019. Henry Egesi who was arraigned on a one-count charge reportedly committed the crime on 9th May, 2019. According to the Prosecuting Counsel, Solicitor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, the  offence of rape is contrary to section 260 (1) of the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2015. The Solicitor- General noted that all evidences tendered before the court confirmed that the defendant had an unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim. She, however, urged the court to show no leniency in its sentencing of the defendant. Hon. Justice Nwaka – Gbagi found the defendant guilty of the charge, punishable under section 260 (1) of the Lagos State Criminal Justice Law 2015. Kayode Oyekanmi Director, Public Affairs 10th March, 2020.

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