Principal Officers
Moyosore Onigbanjo
Born in Lagos, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where he received a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons) degree in 1988. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
After his call to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN cut his legal teeth in the law firm of Akin Delano & Co. as Managing Associate and thereafter joined Prof. A.B Kasumu’s Chambers as a Solicitor and later, L.A Adeniji & Co as Managing Partner. He became founding partner at M.J Onigbanjo & Co. in 1999.
In his quest for further knowledge, he went to Harvard Law School for two Executive Courses on Negotiation and Leadership and thereafter, Difficult Conversation, both in 2017.
Mr. Onigbanjo SAN has vast court room experience in commercial litigation particularly in the areas of Debt Recovery, Breach and Enforcement of contracts, Companies Winding Up Proceedings, Aviation, Receivership, Marine claims, Arbitration and Oil and Gas. He has for the past twenty-three years participated extensively in commercial litigation in Nigeria.
He has considerable appellate Court experience having been privileged to successfully argue numerous appeals before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria. He has argued over 60 cases at all cadres of Court in Nigeria ranging from High Court to the Supreme Court. He also has experience in labour matters and has practiced before the National Industrial Court as well as the Miscellaneous Offences Tribunal. Many of the cases he handled have been widely reported in Nigeria’s foremost Law reports (Nigeria Weekly Law Reports).
In recognition of his excellence in this regard, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, conferred him with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2013.
Mr. Onigbanjo SAN is a member of both the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He served as a Council Member of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law between 2011 to 2017. He was, until August of 2019 a Prosecutor before the Body of Benchers and Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. He served as member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association and also served as Chairman, Board of Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation between May 2017 and May 2019.
A seasoned litigator, administrator, negotiator, arbitrator, public speaker and analyst of note. He is a Notary Public and currently the 16th Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice Lagos State.
Titilayo Shitta-Bey
Ms. Khadijat Titilayo Shitta-Bey was appointed the Solicitor General and permanent secretary on Friday, 16th August, 2019, she was formerly Director of Public Prosecutions in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
She attended Epe Grammar School, Epe before proceeding to St Aldates College, Oxford in the United Kingdom where she obtained her “O” Levels and “A” levels Certificates respectively.
She is an alumnus of Wolverhampton University, West Midlands, where she obtained her LLB Hons. She holds an LLM in Corporate & Commercial Laws from Kings College, University of London, Strand, United Kingdom and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
Ms Shitta – Bey’s started her professional career at B.A Shitta – Bey & Co, a Law Firm that specializes in General Litigation, Land and Chieftaincy matters.
She joined the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in 1994 as a State Counsel in the department of Civil Litigation and Advisory services and worked in several other directorates including the Directorate of Civil Litigation. As She rose through the rank to be the Director of Commercial Law, and Later Director of Public Prosecutions until her appointment as Solicitor- General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice.
In the course of her career in the Ministry of Justice, has served in various inter – Ministerial capacities including; Registrar, Lagos State Bills of Sale, Secretary /Legal Adviser Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Counsel to Panel of Inquiry on the Sale of Lagos State Government shares in Eko Hotel, Counsel to Panel of Inquiry on Ikorodu Fire Disaster, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Counsel to Committee on Lekki Epe Expressway Expansion; Editing Reporter, Lagos State High Court Judgments Law Report, member Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme Committee to mention a few.
She attended several courses and Conferences including Building Trial Skills an Advocacy Training, Drafting and Negotiating Contracts for Government officials, Negotiation Skills for lawyers, Professional Development Programme for lawyers, Project Financing- BPP Professional education, Housing Finance Workshop for Sub – Saharan Africa. AMERICAN GOVT INVITATION TRAINING, internal visitors leadership programme(IVLP) 3weeks programme sponsored by the US Department of States to understudy administration of justice system and maintenance of rule of Law in the United states. attended in March 2019
She enjoys reading, listening to music and dancing. She is happily married.
Omotola Rotimi
Mrs. Omotola Rotimi is a 1987 Law and Politics graduate of the Bournemouth University Dorset England (formerly Dorset Institute of Higher Education) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. Her work experience as a Lawyer spans over 33 years. She started her early career with Deji Sasegbon Law firm. In 1994, she joined the Lagos State Ministry of Justice as Counsel for over 27years.
She started her work at the Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel on Grade Level 9, and rose to the position of an Assistant Director at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and Assistant Director of the Directorate of Citizens Rights. She also worked as the Head of Unit, Human Rights Department.
For Eight (8) years, she was the Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, where she passionately defended the rights of the indigent residents of Lagos State. She was later redeployed as a director to the Directorate of Citizens Rights, then again redeployed as Director to head the Citizens Mediation Centre Lagos Sate Ministry of Justice. She had 19 Offices spread across Lagos State under her watch. Her vase experience in Administration and leadership was the key factor to her current position today, as The Administrator- General and Public Trustee of Lagos State in the Ministry Of Justice.
She is an International Accredited Mediator (CEDAR) 2010. Member of Institute Chartered Mediators & Conciliators (ICMC) 2012, Fellow: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria (FCIArb) 2015. She was appointed a mediator for The Lagos Multi door court (LMDC) in 2010and has since mediated on several matters Likewise, she mediates on matters at the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and also facilitate in trainings. Due to her commitment to the Institute, she was recently appointed a member of the Curriculum Committee, and an examiner.
As a Certified Mediator, Mrs. Rotimi brought her wealth of expertise to bear in matters that she had successfully resolved on behalf of Lagos State. These include, Lagos State Government and Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Matori; Lagos State Government, Hi-Tec, NNPC and Victims of Ijegun Pipeline Explosion; The Shop Owners And Developers of Iya Mogaji Ebute-Ero Market; and the case of the Photo-Journalists and TOS Funerals Limited.
She did a Post Graduate programme in Forensic Science at The Lagos State University Post Graduate School, Lagos Nigeria. In 2011, she attended a 4-Month Forensic course as a visiting Scholar on intern at the School of Natural Resources, University Of Nebraska Lincoln, USA, where she was certified in Crime Scene Investigation, Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Photography, Finger Printing and DNA Profiling. It was in this regard that she was drafted as a Forensic and DNA expert by the Lagos State Government to assist in the identification and documentation process of the victims of the ill-fated DANA plane crash. Her experience in Forensic was again felt when she designed the Sexual Assault Rape KIT, which is currently being used at Primary Health Centers (PHC) across Lagos State to collect samples from victims of sexual assaults.
Mrs. Rotimi is a member of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Team of Lagos State (DSVRT). As an expert in Family dispute, especially with regards to Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, her wealth of experience formed a key basis for the creation of the family Court system in Lagos State.
She is a member of Lagos State Technical working committee on Child Protection Information Management.
Mrs. Rotimi is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the International Bar Association (IBA). She is a member of the association of American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE).
She has also served the Lagos State Government in various Committees including the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee of Lagos State, Committee on Coroners Law Review 2006, and Committee on the Review of the Environmental Lagos of Lagos State 2005. She is a member of the Administration of Criminal Law committee set up by the Chief judge Of Lagos State from 2008 till date.
She has presented and delivered over 40 papers, both locally and internationally on various topics on Rights of a child, Domestic Violence, Rights of Women and Fundamental Human Rights.
She led the team of lawyers that won the N100,000,000 Million Naira, Locus Classicus case of Uzoma Okere&1or versus Henry Arogundade, the Nigerian Navy &4ors. Another Locus Classicus case she handled was the case of Hanmani Tijani versus Lagos State & 5 Ors at the ECOWAS Court.
Mrs. Rotimi is passionate about defending the rights of the vulnerable especially children and women. She is also passionate about maintaining the proper order of things wherever she finds herself.
In recognition of her exemplary excellent service delivery to the downtrodden citizens, Mrs Rotimi had received various awards in both her official and personal capacity. These awards includes,
Excellent leadership Award by Fight against Corruption Organisation 2020
Award of Appreciation presented by Crime Victim Foundation and the Nigerian Police Force, 2nd May 2013
Recognition Award presented by the Lagos State Government at the 1st Emergency Preparedness Summit for the South West State 22nd December, 2012
Award of Excellence presented by the Lagos State Police Human Rights Offices and Crime Victims Foundation. 3rd December, 2009
RULE OF LAW WATCH PROJECT “A collaboration of Human Development Initiatives and the American Bar Association World Justice Project on Rule of Law – Feb –Nov 2009
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Presented by the Lagos State Police Human Rights Officers and Crime Victims Foundation – 3rd December 2009
COMMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (CDHR) in recognition of selfless commitment to advancement of Human Rights on the 25th day of June 2009
MEDIACON RECOGNITION AWARD for active involvement in promotion of an effective criminal justice system in sexual violations against children in Lagos State, Presented on 4th February 2010
AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY TO SERVICE, presented by the Nucleus Group (NGO)
AWARD OF HONOUR presented by Christ Progressive Church
DISTINGUISHED PARTNERS’ AWARD by The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
In recognition of her passion for the cause and advancement of Law, Human Rights and cause of justice, she was nominated a Member, and the African Regional Representative of the Criminal Law Committee of the International Bar Association.
She was also nominated the chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee of the African Bar Association 2014. She has over 40 judgments from The ECOWAS Court, High Court, and The National Industrial Court.
In all of this, Mrs. Rotimi is focused and determined to make a difference wherever and whenever she realizes the need for a positive impact.
She is married, and a proud mother of children.
Babajide Martins
Dr. Jide Martins is a Legal Luminary, a Progressive and Seasoned Technocrat, a Human Rights Advocate, a Passionate and Relentless Worker in the Temple of Justice.
He is a graduate of University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990 and is also a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
Dr. Martins graduated with Master in Law, LLM in European Management and Employment Law and Master of Business Administration (MBA) respectively from the University of Leicester, England. He thereafter bagged a PhD in Constitutional law from Birkbeck College, University of London.
Dr. Martins until his appointment as the new DPP, he was the Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender an agency saddled with the mandate of ensuring that every resident of Lagos State has equal access to justice. Prior to joining the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr. Martins had worked in England as a Crown Prosecutor and at Blackburn Borough Council in England, where his practice included Criminal Prosecution, Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Youth Justice and Safeguarding.
A Versatile Facilitator who has conducted, presented papers and served as a discussant at the National Judicial Institute and Lagos State Judiciary legal week. He has also conducted several trainings on Criminal Justice Administration to Police Officers, Magistrates and Customary Court Judges. He is an ardent advocate of Restorative Justice and Mediation in Criminal Matters.
He is an advocate of a fair and just Criminal Justice system and was a member of the committee that drafted the Lagos State Sentencing guidelines. He has served as the Liasion Officer on the European Union funded Rule of Law and Anti- corruption Programme administered by the British Council in Lagos state. He is also currently the Liasion Officer for the Ministry of Justice on the German GIZ Programme for support for the Criminal Justice Administration.
He has served as Special Assistant on Criminal Prosecutions to two former Lagos State Attorney Generals and was formerly a Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, before his recent appointment as Director of Office of Public Defender.
Dr. Martins is a current member of the Lagos State Biosecurity Board.
Abiola Adewunmi Adeyinka
Mrs. Abiola Adeyinka is an efficient, focused and dedicated legal practitioner with a broad background in Litigation, Mediation and Research. She ia a great team player, possesses the ability to work efficiently independently and can also work under pressure with minimal supervision. She possesses a good communication skills, experience and empathy for people, which has helped her to produce excellent work ethics.
Her primary objective is to serve in a challenging environment effectively, with integrity and hard work, which has enabled her, contribute to the success of the organization.
She is skillful in the area of bill preparation, Legal opinion and brief writing, Criminal law practice, Civil litigation practice, Corporate practice, Property law practice, Family law practice, Mediation and Efficient researcher.
Mrs. Adeyinka is a member of the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Bar Association respectively and a Chartered Mediator.
She began her career in the State Civil Service in the year 2000 as a State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and has since rose up in her career to the Director Cadre until her deployment to the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) as The Head of the Institute in August 2022.
In her leisure, Mrs Abiola Adeyinka loves reading, writing and singing.
Mrs. Adeyinka is happily married with children.
Shakirat Karimu-Kotun
Hakirat Karimu-Kotun, is an indigene of Lagos State. She attended Secondary School at Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos. Thereafter, she travelled to the United Kingdom, where she obtained her Law Degree, from University of London.
She obtained a Masters Degree in Law, specializing in Criminology and Criminal Justice Matters, from King’s College, University of London. Still yearning for knowledge, Ms. Kotun, a mother, obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work, specializing in Children and Family Services. She is a Therapist and a qualified Counselor. Ms. Kotun has worked both in the Legal Profession and in Social Services, especially in matters related to Child Abuse and Neglect, Domestic Violence, Child Custody Cases, and Adoption. Additionally, she works with the Prison Population. Ms. Kotun currently is The Director of Community Service Sentencing Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, where offenders sentenced to community service by courts, are monitored. She is a Certified Mediator, and a Mandated Reporter on Abuse matters.
Ms. Kotun is the author of a number of books including The Emancipation and Experiences of An African Princess; Inspirational Writings and Poems; and Inner Peace. She enjoys Poetry, Writing and watching T.V.
Umul-Kulthum Ninilomo Bashar
The confirmation of Mrs. Bashar was conveyed through a letter dated 18th February, 2021 by the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri- Okunola.
Mrs. Bashar until her appointment was the Head of Legal Unit, Law Reform Commission since August, 2020.
She joined the Lagos State Civil Service on 22nd of May, 2009 as a Chief State Counsel and was later deployed to the Directorate of Commercial Law where she rose to become the Head of Department.
While at the Directorate of Commercial Law, Mrs. Bashar was involved in drafting commercial agreements for high profile projects for the State.
She was also appointed the Registrar Bill of Sales Registry in November, 2012. In the same Month she was appointed Legal Researcher (Business Matters) on the Lagos State Government/Institute for Liberty and Democracy Informal Sector Reform Programme.
She was deployed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in June 2019 where she headed the Legal Unit
Mrs Umul-Kulthum Ninilomo Bashar was born on the 30th of October, 1964 to the Agoro Family of Idumota, Lagos and Salvador Family of Tokunbo Street, Campus, Lagos.
She attended Corona School , Yaba (Now at Gbagada) for her primary education from 1967-1975 and proceeded to Methodist Girls High School, Yaba for her Secondary Education between 1975 and 1980.
Mrs. Bashar did her A’ Levels at Queens College, Onike, Yaba from 1980-1982 and obtained her LL.B from University of Lagos, Yaba in 1986. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 22nd of October 1987. She returned to University of Lagos where she obtained her Masters Degree in 1996.
Mrs Bashar is happily married and blessed with children.
Abodunrin Oladele
Mrs Abodunrin Oladele is the present director of Finance and Accounts in Lagos State Ministry of Justice. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and also bagged ACCA IPSAS. She is a dynamic, well cultured and resourceful person.
She is an experienced Accountant and Financial Manager having worked in many companies and organisations before joining Lagos State Government.
She has worked in many Lagos State Ministries e.g Finance, Environment and Pysical Planning, Office of Environment, Health, Local Government Establishment and Pensions, Home Affairs etc.
She pioneered the use of e-payment for Traffic Offenders in Lagos State Traffic Management Authority. This led to increase in revenue for Lagos State Government.
Mrs. Abodunrin Oladele is happily married with children.
Owolabi Ibrahim Arole
Mr. Owolabi Ibrahim Arole is a Legal Practitioner who is currently on Grade Level 16 (Deputy Director) in Lagos State Ministry of Justice with Twenty-One (21) years’ experience in the Legal Practice. He was born on 5th January 1970 and attended Usman Danfodio University where he bagged a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons.) degree in 1998/1999. After which he was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000-2001.
In the quest for continuous professional and personal development, he acquired knowledge in various aspects including Advanced Arbitration and Mediation; Land Use Charge Dispute Adjudication Dispute Resolution, Effective Leadership Skills.
Mr. Owolabi Arole is a seasoned Legal Practitioner with several years of experience in Litigation, Criminal, and Civil Litigation. He was employed into the State Civil Service in 2001. He has worked as a Counsel in the Directorate of Criminal Prosecution, Directorate of Civil Litigation, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Administrator General/Public Trustee and Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructural Development before he was posted to Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers. This transverse of Legal Practice has given him a wide range of professional experience.
In October 2018, Mr. Owolabi Arole was deployed to the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers to head and Coordinate the affairs of the Unit.
Mr. Owolabi Arole is a devoted Muslim, Husband and Father with an utmost interest in self-improvement, integrity and continuous development. At his leisure, he engages in several sporting activities, recreational activities and reading.
Abiola Oseni
Mrs Abiola Oseni, She had her Primary School education at Holy Child College, Lagos, from where she moved to the Federal Government College, Lagos for her Secondary School education. In 1986, she graduated from the University of Lagos, Akoka, with a degree in Law and an LLM in 1990 from the same University.
Her career in the Lagos State Civil Service started with her appointment in 1994. Since then, she has served in various departments in the Ministry of Justice namely: Civil Litigation, Public Prosecution and Legislative Drafting, from where she was deployed to Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from where she was appointed, Director, Commercial Law, Ministry of Justice.
Akinnawo Husseina Ize
Akinnawo Husseina Ize (MRS.) , is the Director Public Advice Centre Lagos State.
She attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where she obtained the Bachelor of Law Degree, LL. B (Hons) Certificate, and University of Lagos Akoka Lagos for her Masters of Law (LLM) Degree.
she joined the Lagos State Civil Service in the year 1994, as legal officer grade level 09 and has
served in various departments as such as Commercial Law, Directorate of Advisory Services and Judiciary Liaison, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Citizens Mediation Centre, Administrator General and Public Trustee, Directorate of Legislative drafting and Public Advice Centre.
She has attended quite a number of Conferences/Courses/ Seminars such as International Bar Conference held in Dublin and Common wealth Lawyers Conference Cape town South Africa.
She is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, Common wealth Lawyers Association, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators ( ICMC) and International Bar Association.
She is married with children and her interest includes Reading, Music, Playing Table Tennis and Contributing Positively to the society.