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Lagos State Ministry of Justice

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: LAGOS MOJ HOLDS RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF FORMER DPP, DR. BABAJIDE OLUMUYIWA MARTINS ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PERMANENT SECRETARY, BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

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The Lagos State Ministry of Justice held a reception in honour of the appointment of Dr. Babajide Olumuyiwa Martins as pioneer Permanent Secretary of one of its key agencies ,the Bureau of the Public Defender.(BPD) on Friday, 24th April 2026, recognising his distinguished service, professionalism, and commitment to justice sector reforms. The well-attended event, held at the Conference Room of the Ministry at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, brought together government officials, members of the Bar and Bench, as well as family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate this remarkable achievement. In his remarks, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, described Dr Martins as a seasoned legal practitioner and administrator whose wealth of experience will be instrumental in advancing the Ministry’s mandate. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring effective justice delivery for all residents of Lagos State. Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Citizens Mediation Bureau, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, commended Dr. Martins for his exemplary career trajectory, noting that his appointment is a testament to his dedication, competence, and unwavering commitment to public service. She expressed confidence in Dr. Martins’ capacity to further strengthen institutional efficiency and drive impactful reforms within the Ministry. In his response, Dr. Babajide Olumuyiwa Martins expressed profound gratitude to God, the Lagos State Government, and all well-wishers for the honour. He also extended his sincere appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro; the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; and the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, for their unwavering support, guidance, and confidence in his capacity to serve. Dr. Martins pledged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and service, while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to enhance the administration of justice in the State. Goodwill messages were delivered by Hon.Judges of the high court of Lagos State, Directors,Friends and family members,State Counsel ,and other professional colleagues, all of whom highlighted Dr. Martins’ integrity, diligence, generosity and leadership qualities that have distinguished him over the years. The appointment of Dr. Martins represents a significant milestone in the history of the State Ministry of Justice, as he becomes the Pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of the Public Defender and Second Permanent Secretary appointed within one year by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for agencies under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).

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LAGOS DPP ,BABAJIDE OLUMUYIWA MARTINS APPOINTED AS PERMANENT SECRETARY

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The Lagos State Government has announced the appointment of the States Director of Public Prosecutions,Dr Babajide Martins as a Permanent Secretary in the State’s Public Service. The appointment, approved by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen and reinvigorate the State’s policy implementation and public service delivery framework. According to an official circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, the appointment takes effect from April 2, 2026. However, specific posting and deployment of the newly appointed Permanent Secretary will be announced in due course. Dr. Martins’ elevation reflects his dedication, professionalism, and valuable contributions to the Lagos State Public Service and Justice delivery respectively. His appointment is widely seen as a testament to his experience and capacity to contribute at a higher level of governance and administration.

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Lagos Appoints Babajide Martins As Director Public Prosecutions(DPP)

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… redeploys Oshinusi, Oluwafemi and Salau The Former Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Dr. Babajide Martins, has been appointed as the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice. A memo signed by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey states that his appointment followed the appointment of the former DPP, Mrs. Adenrera Olayinka Adeyemi as a Judge of the high Court of Lagos State. Babajide 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 is the current 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 Liaison 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 Liaison 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 Director of the Office of the Public Defender, before his recent appointment as Director of Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Dr. Martins is a current member of the Lagos State Biosecurity Board. Following Dr. Martins appointment as DPP, Ms Oshinusi Adetutu has also been appointed as the new Director, Directorate of Citizens Rights, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi as Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions and Mrs Aderoju Salau as Deputy Director, Directorate of Civil Litigations Their appointment takes immediate effect.

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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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