Lagos State Ministry of Justice

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CMC

LASG OFFERS IBA RESIDENTS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION

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The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice has once again extended its Joint Free Legal Clinic to residents of Iba on Tuesday at the Iba Local Council Development Area of the State. TheSolicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje, represented by the Coordinator Restorative Justice Centre, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi in her welcome address stated that the Joint Free Legal Clinic is aimed at bringing awareness and also empowering the residents of Lagos State to seek and demand legal services offered by the State. The Solicitor General noted that access to justice is a basic fundamental human right and a principle of the rule of law. In the absence of access to justice, people are unable to exercise their rights or have their voice heard. “Having access to the right legal advice at the earliest point possible is crucial for residents who have complaints, to ensure they have the support and help they need”, she said. Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje stressed that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and its Agencies are present to educate and deliver legal services to Iba residents at no cost which is in accordance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “T.H.E.M.E.S” Agenda to promote and ensure free access to justice by residents of the State. She however urged Iba residents to support the State Government’s dream of building a crime-free State with respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights. On his part, the Chairman Iba Local Council Development Area, Hon. Isa Abiola Jubril, appreciated the laudable free legal clinic initiative. “Access to advice and support as early as possible is necessary in helping people navigate the legal system at a time of immense stress and difficulty. Alongside this, we welcome the State Government’s commitment to provide free access to justice for the people of Iba”, He said. Hon. Isa Abiola Jubril therefore extended his appreciation towards Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and its agencies for not only initiating the exercise but also for its bold steps in taking the legal clinic to the nooks and crannies of the State. He urged Iba residents to take full advantage of the legal services that will be provided by the Ministry of Justice and its agencies to ensure seamless alternative resolutions, easy dispensation of justice, and a peaceful co-existence among the people of Iba. Delivering the vote of thanks, Deputy Director, Directorate Of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Banke Ogunode, expressed immense gratitude towards the State Government, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, lawyers, State Counsel and other members of staff for their support towards ensuring a speedy dispensation of justice across the State. Agencies present  at the event to offer its free  legal services  includes Citizens Mediation Centre, Directorate for Citizens Rights,Administrator General and Public Trustee,Office of the Public Defender,Community Service Unit,Directorate of Public Prosecution (Plea Bargain and Restorative Justice) Other attendees are Lawyers and Staff of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Local Government Officials, Police Officers, Market leaders and  numerous Iba residents.

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PRESS RELEASE: LASG EXTENDS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION TO IKORODU RESIDENTS

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In continuation of the State-wide Free Legal Consultation to ensure free access to justice, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice extended the exercise to Ikorodu community and its environs on Wednesday at the palace of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom,Oba Abdul Semiu Orimadegun Kasali Speaking at the Opening ceremony of the exercise,Lagos Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje, stated that the free legal clinic is in accordance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “THEMES”  Agenda to ensure free access to legal services by residents of Lagos State. “The Joint Free Legal  is to ensure that people are aware of their fundamental human rights as residents of Lagos State and to ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she said. Mrs Shitta Bey-JeJe stressed that the legal clinic will be held at different communities across the State to take legal consultation closer to the people while promoting peace and harmony among its citizens. Speaking during the ceremony.the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo kingdom, Oba Abdul Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, a former Counsel of the State, noted that the initiative is meant to sensitize the residents of Ikorodu on their basic human rights and the appropriate agencies to contact when there’s an infringement on their rights as residents of the Community While urging his people to embrace alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and taking advantage of the free legal services rendered by the Ministry of Justice, Oba Kasali advised them not to take laws into their hands because there are consequences attached to such actions in the laws of Lagos State. Oba Abdul Semiu Orimadegun Kasali  appreciated the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Justice and its Agencies for such a laudable initiative and pledged to continue using his office to promote peace and harmony in the community. Also extending his appreciation towards the State Government, the Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya appealed to the Lagos State Government that it should consider the role of traditional rulers in mediation, as this will go a long way in promoting peace among the residents of Ikorodu and its environs. Attendees of the event includes, The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary,Mrs Titilayo Shitta Bey-JeJe,Directors, Lawyers and Staff of MoJ; Olori of Igbogbo, Olori Sekinat Omolara Kasali; Baale Igbelaa-ra, Alhaji Chief Abdul Razak Banjoko; Iyalode of Igbogbo, Chief Karimot Ojikutu; Vice Chairman Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Okedina Maja Nutaina; CDC Chairman Igbogbo-Bayeku, Mr. Adelakun Abayomi; DCO Igbogbo, SP Akintoye Saidat and other notable traditional rulers and residents of Ikorodu community.

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Lagos CMC Advocates For Peaceful Co-Existence In The State

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 … Commemorates the International Day of Living together In Peace The Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre has called for peaceful co-existence among residents, charging them to embrace amicable resolution of disputes through mediation. Mrs Biola Oseni,Director,CMC made the plea on Wednesday during an interview in a radio programme  tagged “Oju Taiye” at Radio Lagos 107.5 FM, where she featured as an invited guest to discuss how to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution platforms to restore peace in the State and the Country at large. Oseni urged residents to learn how to develop a mutual understanding and eschew rancor for peace to reign, adding that living together in peace can only be achieved when everyone is ready to forgive and bury the hatchet. “We don’t have to speak the same language or come from the same background before embracing peace, it is important we live together as one for the country to move forward”, she added. In her words, “We acknowledge that misunderstanding is inevitable in our society but when it occurs, there are Citizens’ Mediation Centres established by the State government to handle matters arising and provide a lasting resolution without difficulties and free of charge”. She listed the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC); Directorate of Citizens’ Rights (DCR); Office of the Public Defenders (OPD); amongst others as the alternative dispute resolution channels for amicable resolution of disputes in the State. Addressing the issue of misrepresentation, the Director explained the functions of each department and their limitations for better understanding of services each renders. Oseni therefore urged the members of the public to visit the Citizens’ Mediation Centre close to their locations to have their disputes amicably resolved rather than subscribing to self-help. “Our sub offices are spread across the Twenty Local Government Areas and Thirty-seven Local Council Development Areas of the State. You can also contact us on 08118161620 or access our services via our social media platforms:Facebook@lagosstatecmc; Instagram@lagosstatecmc; Twitter@lagosstatecmc”, she said. It should be recalled that the International Day of Living together in peace is usually celebrated on every 16th Of May worldwide to advocate for peace.

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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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CMC Trains WAPA Staff On Mediation Practice

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In furtherance of the commitment to enhance and facilitate Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR), advance knowledge and promote mediation practice, the Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) on Thursday trained some staffs from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in a bid to achieve amicable resolution of disputes. Speaking to participants at the training held at the CMC headquarters in Ikeja, the Director for Citizens’ Mediation Center, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, explained that the training would enable the participants to acquire mediation skills needed in settling domestic violence, family disputes amongst others, adding that the training would also equip them with basic mediation proficiency. “Mediation is appropriate only for parties who are willing to participate in the process. Like negotiation, mediation seeks a ‘win-win’ outcome for the parties involved”. Oseni added. In her paper presentation titled “Mediation and Alternative Disputes Resolution Spectrum” the Deputy Director, CMC, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju averred that a mediator is a driver of mediation who employs all relevant technical know-how and skills to help disputing parties achieve the resolution they desire. According to her, these techniques will enable a mediator to find a common ground by identifying the problems, proffering solutions to avoid disparities between the parties involved after a resolution has been reached. Mrs. Adesomoju further urged participants of the program, to pay rapt attention during the training sessions so as to have excellent knowledge of mediation and its applications. “Mediation aims to assist participants to communicate with one another now and in the future and to reduce the scope or intensity of dispute arising from conflict. She stated. She highlighted poor communication, self-interest, lack of compromise, desire for power amongst others as part of the major causes of conflict. She therefore, urged mediators to thoroughly address the causes of the conflict and provide a long lasting solution to the problems for amicable resolution of disputes. In the same vein, the Chief State Counsel, Mrs. Sade Ajiboye during her presentation titled Mediation and Domestic Violence stressed that through mediation, domestic violence can be avoided when a mediator handling the matter employs required techniques and skills. She however reiterated that the issue of domestic violence needs to be taken seriously as parties involved need to be thoroughly counseled by showing them the aftermath of their actions and the adverse effects on the family.

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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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Lagos State Mediation Centre Made a Giant Stride In Disputes Resolution

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………resolves 13, 125, Recovers 402.3 Million in one year The Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centres in year 2020 successfully resolved over 13,000 cases as part of its contribution towards upholding Law and Order in the State as espoused in the T.H.E.M.E.S Developmental Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Administration. The Director, Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Mrs. Abiola Oseni made this known during the presentation of CMC year 2020 annual report. According to her, the total number of cases received by the centre in year 2020 was 22,617 out of which 16,369 were mediated. 13, 125 cases were totally resolved; 885 cases were independently resolved by the parties without mediation; 128 cases were referred to appropriate agencies of government; 1,317 cases were terminated due to non-attendance at mediation sessions by parties involved while 1,837 cases are adjourned for further mediation. The reports further shows that the Centre recovered Four Hundred and Two  Million, Three Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Three Naira (N402,313,603) on behalf of parties, being the total value of settlement of debt related matters. Speaking on the Annual report, Mrs. Oseni said this is an indication that the centre has the capacity to ensure the State is free from dispute. According to her CMC is established by the Lagos State Government to bring justice to door step of the indigents, decongest the courtroom, thereby accelerating the wheel of justice. She therefore enjoined Lagos State residents to visit any CMC office close to them and have their disputes settled free of charge. Signed Popoola Naheem Olaide Public Affairs Officer, Citizens’ Mediation Centre

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