LASWA – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

DSVA Partners LASWA On Domestic And Sexual Violence

Posted on May 31, 2022

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in collaboration with Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), on Monday, 30th of May, commenced an awareness campaign for residents living in the riverine areas of Lagos State. The awareness campaign kicked off with a walk against domestic and sexual violence as officials of DSVA and LASWA walked from Military Hospital, Lagos to Falomo while sensitizing the public on the dangers of SGBV. DSVA has remained relentless in its fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and is keen on eradicating it in the state. During the walk, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi thanked LASWA for its collaboration with the agency in it’s fight against SGBV whilst restating the state government’s zero-tolerance to all forms of domestic and sexual violence. She also urged residents of Lagos State to see themselves as Mandated Reporters who have a duty to say and do something when they see something. On his part, the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, appealed to all participants to spread the message across and become ambassadors against Domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State. The LASWA GM further emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, explaining that a large number of Lagos residents make use of LASWA jetties and terminals daily, hence the reason for the joint sensitization between LASWA and DSVA. In furtherance of the awareness campaign, fliers, posters and other informative materials would be placed at all the ferry terminals including, Apapa ( Liverpool terminal), Ikorodu Baiyeku Ikorodu, Badore – Tarzan terminal Ebutte Ero, Ijegun, Ebutte Ojo and Falomo- 5 cowries. There will also be ongoing sensitisation exercises which will involve engaging members of the respective communities. DSVA has continued to call on anyone experiencing any form of abuse to speak up and call its toll free line;08000-333-333.

Lasg Arraigns Boat Operator Over Mishap

Posted on December 23, 2020

… Prosecutes Driver And Vehicle Owner Over Killing Of Two The Lagos State Government has arraigned a Boat Captain, Elebiju Happiness, over the boat mishap on Lagos Waterways around the Kirikiri area. The trial began on Thursday before Hon. Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja. The defendant was charged with involuntary manslaughter and the operating of a boat without a license. Elebiju was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a Ten (10) count charge dated 24th of August, 2020. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Elebiju allegedly caused the death of Thirteen (13) passengers in a boat mishap on the Lagos State Inland Waterways along Kirikiri after taking off from an illegal loading site with twenty (20) passengers. Upon capsizing, the rescue team of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Marine Police and other boat operators rescued five (5) passengers while the defendant (Captain of the boat) and his Deck hand boy survived. The Director Public Prosecutions, Mrs Yinka Adeyemi, who led the prosecution argued that the alleged offences against the Defendants were Involuntary Manslaughter contrary to Section 224 and punishable under Section 229 of the Criminal Law Ch C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 and Operating without a license contrary to Section 311 (1) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. The DPP further presented two witnesses before the court who gave evidence against the defendant. The trial Judge, Hon. Justice Josephine Oyefeso, however, adjourned the matter to 17th of September for continuation of trial. In a related development, the Lagos State Government has also commenced the prosecution of the driver and owner of a vehicle, Dominic Amaechi and Cyprian Arinze respectively over the killing of two persons and causing bodily harm on another person. The defendants were arraigned on 2nd of September, 2020 before Hon. Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. The driver of the vehicle was charged with among others, driving in a dangerous and reckless manner, involuntary manslaughter, causing grievous bodily harm, wilful damage to property and failure to obtain a valid driver’s license. The owner of the vehicle was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter as a result of refusal to ensure that his truck was roadworthy and failure to obtain vehicle licence and relevant permits. The Defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The accident caused the death of Eno Joseph (M), Titilayo Alayonimi (F), breaking of the leg of one Alani Oladipupo (M) and also causing severe damage to the property of Saba Steel Nigeria Ltd. According to the Prosecutor the offences were contrary to Section 224 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015 , Sections 18 and 51 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law , 2018. The case was adjourned till 30th of September for trial.

1-LASG BEGINS TRIAL OF BOAT OPERATOR OVER MISHAP

Posted on December 23, 2020

… TO PROSECUTE DRIVER AND VEHICLE OVER KILLING OF THREE The Lagos State Government has commenced the trial of the captain of one Mount Zion Boat, Elebiju Happiness, over the mishap on Waterways along Kirikiri, Lagos. The trial began on Thursday before Hon. Justice Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja. The defendant was charged for involuntary manslaughter and the operating of a boat without a license. Elebiju was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a Ten (10) count charge dated 24th of August, 2020. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Elebiju allegedly caused the death of Thirteen (13) passengers in a boat mishap on the Lagos State Inland Waterways along Kirikiri after taking off from a loading site with twenty (20) passengers. Upon capsizing, the rescue team of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Marine Police and other boat operators rescued five (5) passengers while the defendant (Captain of the boat) and his Deck hand boy survived. The Director Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adeyemi, who led the prosecution argued that the alleged offences against the defendant involuntary manslaughter was contrary to Section 224 and punishable under section 229 of the Criminal Law Ch C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 and operating without a license contrary to Section 311 (1) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. The Director further presented two witnesses before the court who gave evidence against the defendant on the incident. The trial Judge, Hon. Justice Oyefeso, however, adjourned the matter to 17th of September for continuation of trial. In a related development, the Lagos State Government has commenced the prosecution of one driver and owner of a vehicle, Dominic Amaechi and Cyprian Arinze respectively over the killing of two persons and injury on another person. The defendants were arraigned on 2nd of September, 2020 before Justice Ogala of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. The driver of the vehicle was charged for driving in a dangerous and reckless manner, involuntary manslaughter, grievous harm, wilful damage, failure to obtain a valid driver’s license. The owner of the vehicle was charged for involuntary manslaughter as a result of refusal to ensure that his truck was roadworthy and failure to obtain vehicle licence and permits. The duo pleaded not guilty over the cause of the death of Eno Joseph (M); Titilayo Alayonimi (F), broke the leg of one Alani Oladipupo (M) and also the damage to the property of Saba Steel Nigeria Ltd. According to the prosecutor, the offences were contrary to Section 51 of the transport sector Law of Lagos State, 2018 and contrary to Section 18 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. The case was adjourned till 30th of September for trial.