Lagos State Ministry of Justice
Committed to bringing justice to your doorstep
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
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
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 Omotolas allegation that the outcome of the Committees 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 IGPs 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 DPPs 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. Omotolas 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
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’
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.
……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.
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.
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.
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
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
