Free legal services – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS OFFERS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION TO ALIMOSHO RESIDENTS

Posted on August 17, 2023

Concluding the Statewide Legal Clinic to different geographical areas of the State, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday provided free legal consultation to the residents of Alimosho area and its environs at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat. Lagos Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje in her welcome address stated that the Joint legal clinic is an effort to have a one-stop-shop for legal advice for the residents of the State. Shitta Bey-Jeje ably represented by the Director Citizens Mediation Centre,Mrs Biola Oseni added that the Joint Legal Clinic team encompasses all legal cum Mediation services rendering directorates in the ministry which are; Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC); Community Service Unit, Witness Support Unit, Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee ,DPP(Plea Bargain ) and the Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR). The Solicitor General said that the free legal clinic is in accordance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “T.H.E.M.E.S” Agenda of “Security and Governance” to ensure easy accessibility of legal services to all residents of the state. Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje stressed that the legal clinic is held yearly in the 5 divisions of the State to bring legal consultation closer to the people while sensitizing the residents on their rights in accordance with the rule of law and the availability of free legal centres across the State .7 She however urged Alimosho residents to support the State Government’s dream of building a crime-free State with respect for the law and fundamental basic human rights. In his words, The Chairman Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon opined that one of the best ways to promote peace in any community is to have the people come together under one umbrella through sensitization and awareness programmes. Hon. Jelili urged residents of Alimosho to continuously be law-abiding citizens of the State as this will aid development in the community and its environs. While acknowledging the efforts of the State Government, Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice and its Agencies, he noted that his office will continue to promote peace and harmony within Alimosho area and its environs. A resident of Alimosho, Yetunde Olayiwola, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Justice for hosting the Joint Legal Clinic in the community, saying it has widened her knowledge on some of the laws of Lagos State and her basic rights as a citizen. She implored other residents to take advantage of the Free Legal services rendered by the Ministry of Justice instead of resorting to self-help. Other attendees present includes Notable Rulers, Lawyers and Staff of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Local Government Officials, Police Officers, Market traders and Alimosho Residents.

LASG OFFERS IBA RESIDENTS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION

Posted on August 9, 2023

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.

PRESS RELEASEL: LASG PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO IBEJU-LEKKI RESIDENTS

Posted on August 4, 2023

In a bid to further strengthen the justice system and promote the rights of citizens ,the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday extended its Joint free legal Clinic to residents of Ibeju-Lekki and its environs held at the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Lagos. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje ably represented by The Director Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC), Mrs. Biola Oseni, stated that all Lagos State residents must have access to justice irrespective of age, gender or socio- economic class. The Solicitor General also noted that the Directorates and Agencies in the Ministry of Justice offer free services in one or more particular areas which includes family disputes, landlord/tenant issues, domestic violence against women and children, estate properties of the deceased who has died without a will, amongst others. Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje further explained that the Joint Free Legal Clinic holds yearly at various communities across the State, to make legal consultation closer to the people while sensitizing the residents on their rights in accordance with the law and to ensure justice, promote peace and harmony among the citizens. She however urged the residents of Ibeju-Lekki and its environs to continue showing support to the State Government as this will promote a peaceful dialogue between the people and the government for harmonious coexistence and development in Ibeju Kingdom. The Chairman Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Oluwa, represented by the Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services, Hon. Kareem Olatunde Muyideen expressed gratitude for the laudable free legal initiative presented to the people of Ibeju-Lekki. Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa also extended his gratitude to the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Justice and its agencies for including the indigenous people of Ibeju-Lekki kingdom in this excellent free legal exercise as this will further improve the harmony and balance among its people. While appreciating the State Government for its free legal services, the Paramount ruler of Ibeju kingdom, HRM. Wasiu Olasunkanmi Oguntolu 1, urged residents of Ibeju-Lekki to embrace and accept the services provided by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and its agencies. The Paramount ruler represented by High Chief Moshood Adewale urged Ibeju residents to always adhere to the laws of the State and never take laws into their hands. Oba Oguntolu therefore pledged that all that was absorbed during the sensitization program will be disseminated to other residents of the community while assuring the full support of his office to the State Government, Ministry of Justice and its agencies. Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director, Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, expressed immense gratitude towards the Lagos State Government, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State, Directors, lawyers, State Counsel and other members of staff for their support towards ensuring a speedy dispensation of justice across the State. Other attendees at the event includes notable traditional rulers of Ibeju Lekki ,Youth leaders,Local Government officials,market men and women and Ibeju Lekki residents.