Onigbanjo – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS STATEMENT – THE TRAIN/LAGOS STATE STAFF BUS ACCIDENT

Posted on March 10, 2023

In the early hours of 9th March 2023 at about 7:30 a.m, a Lagos State Government Staff bus with Registration Number 04A-48LA coming from Isolo to Ikeja while trying to cross the railway line at PWD, Ikeja, collided with a moving train. The Honourale Attorney General of Lagos State (HAG) will like to inform the public that the Bus Driver (Remi Osibanjo) has been arrested and detained for further investigation by the Railway Police Command Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The Commissioner of Police, Railway Police Command has taken over the investigation of the accident. The Bus involved in the collision has also been retrieved and sent for thorough examination at the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service Office and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) await both reports from the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the Police regarding the cause of the accident. Whilst MOJ commiserate with the victims of the accident and the families of those who lost their lives to the tragic accident the HAG wants to assure members of the public that upon receipt of the case file from the Police and the report of the VIO, the office shall not hesitate to prosecute any person(s) found culpable.

PRESS RELEASE: NBA LEADERSHIP PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO LAGOS ATTORNEY GENERAL

Posted on January 5, 2023

In continuation of the efforts of the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to engender a more cordial relationship between the Bar, the Bench and the people, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) on Thursday, led some members of the National Executive and Senior Members of the Bar, on a courtesy visit to the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN). The NBA President and his delegates were warmly received by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey and Directors of the Ministry. In his welcome address, the Attorney General, stated that the visit was quite rare as this is the first time an NBA President will pay a visit to the ministry after winning the NBA election. This, the commissioner noted shows the kind of leader the NBA president is. “I must say that you are a humane person because you aren’t doing this to take glory or show off how competent you are. This is impressive and what you have done today has demonstrated the kind of leader the NBA needs” he said. On the unfortunate death of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, a member of the NBA, Onigbanjo commended the NBA President for taking time out of his busy schedule to travel down to commiserate with the family of the victim and also visiting the Ministry of Justice to show appreciation for leading the prosecution of the case. The commissioner further noted that his office and the Ministry of Justice will continue to show immense support towards any activity presented by the NBA and ensure speedy dispensation of justice for the family of the victim. Speaking during the visit, the NBA president, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception afforded him and his team. He noted that he emerged winner of the NBA election with a large percentage of the votes from Lagos State which was unbelievable as he didn’t expect to beat his opponent by such margin and he’s back like the “one leper” mentioned in the bible to say “thank you” for the unwavering support towards his election as President of the organisation. Furthermore, the NBA President extended profound gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General and his Prosecution team in the Ministry of Justice, the Police Force and citizens of the State for their swift response and reactions towards the death of Mrs Raheem who was allegedly killed on the 25th of December, 2022 by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force. While commending the State Governor,Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Attorney General, he stated that this action will send a strong message across the entire nation as it has further instilled and reinforced confidence in the justice system of Nigeria. The NBA president concluded by commending the State government for the various law reforms in ensuring quick dispensation of justice noting that these reforms will ensure decongestion of the various correctional centres.

Prerogative of Mercy: Sanwo-Olu Approves Release Of 104 Inmates

Posted on December 30, 2022

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has approved the release of 104 inmates from various correctional facilities across the State. The Governor signed the release order on the 28th of December 2022 in cognisance of the Spirit of the Season and the New Year Festive Celebration. The exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1)&(2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended). The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the applicable guidelines. The Council took note of the information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of the offence, period of incarceration, age, health and behavioural conduct of the inmates. The approval for the release of the inmates is in line with the commitment of Mr. Governor to decongest correctional facilities in Lagos State as part of the Justice Sector Reforms. Signed Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN Lagos State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice 30th of December, 2022

Lagos Court Remands ASP Drambi Vandi

Posted on December 30, 2022

A Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba on Friday has remanded ASP Drambi Vandi who allegedly murdered Mrs Omobolanle Raheem on the 25th of December, 2022 at Ajah Roundabout, Ajah, Lagos. Lagos Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN who appeared before the Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba, applied for the remand of the defendant pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos, 2015. Attached to the remand request is a one count charge of Murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17 Vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Chief Magistrate, C.A. Adedayo granted the request of the Honourable Attorney-General and ordered the remand of the Suspect for the first 30 days in line with the provision of the law pending further investigation by the Police. Also in appearance at the court includes the Solicitor/General, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, the, Deputy Director, Adebayo Haroun, O/C Legal Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command, Y.O. Cardoso and Assistant Director, O.R. Saliu while Moses Jah-Nissi appeared for ASP Drambi Vandi. The Court adjourned the case to 30th of January, 2023 for the review of the remand Order and ordered the case file be duplicated and sent to the DPP for legal advice

MOJ Rewards Outstanding Officers

Posted on December 23, 2022

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Thursday rewarded outstanding officers who have shown commitment and diligence at their duty post during the course of the year. The award cuts across all the departments,agencies and units under the Ministry of Justice. The honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (S.A.N), in his address at the ministry’s Y2022 merit award and end of year ceremony, commended the outstanding officers and members of staff for their efforts all through the year, noting that the management staff cannot work efficiently without the support of other staff members. “We appreciate all efforts to ensure the ministry runs smoothly, the Permanent Secretary and I can’t do this without you and as we go to war against citizens that break the law of Lagos State, when we turn back and see the formidable team from all the departments and agencies, we are sure of winning the war”. Furthermore, he stated that the sanity and safety that the State is benefitting right now is due to the diligence exhibited by law enforcement officers, prosecutors and drafters amongst others in the State. “Lagos is the safest state in Nigeria simply because of the work that you all have done. The assiduousness displayed by all is one of the reasons why Lagos State still enjoys relative safety which has resulted to a large influx of people. It’s because of the work you do in enforcement, prosecuting crimes, defending the State against frivolous cases and in drafting laws that ensures the state achieves its potential as a 21st century State”. The Commissioner however charged members of staff to self access themselves and make necessary adjustments where they are found wanting while making efforts to be better at their duty post next year. He commended the winners of this year’s prize for their efforts while charging them not to relent on their oars, noting that only excellence is good for residents of Lagos State while a lot is expected from the Ministry of Justice next year and beyond. He also enjoined those that didn’t win not to give up in their pursuit of excellence. Onigbanjo concluded by wishing members of Staff a Merry Christmas and prosperous new year in good health. The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey expressed delight seeing members of staff looking radiant and colorful. She noted that the award is necessary to serve as a morale booster for members of staff to be able to do more. She congratulated the winners while urging them to put in extra efforts next year noting that the reward for hard work is more work. There were various awards in different categories with winners emerging from departments in the ministry as well as agencies including Office of the Public Defender(OPD), Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Citizen Mediation Centre (CMC), Mobile court amongst others.

Lagos Commissioner Bags Attorney General of The Year Award.

Posted on November 7, 2022

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN ) on Sunday , received the “Attorney General of the Year” Award at the just concluded ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2022 held at the Landmark Event Centre,Oniru, Lagos. The Attorney General who was represented at the award ceremony by the Administrator General and Public Trustee, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi was honoured with the award in recognition of his outstanding performance as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State and his immense contribution to the transformation of justice delivery and promotion of the rule of law in the State. The Award is a testament to the highest standard that the Commissioner has attained in the law profession and the enviable position that he occupies in African legal practice.

Honourable Attorney General, Lagos State Begins Electronic Signing Of Title Documents

Posted on September 27, 2022

The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in a bid to foster ease of doing business in Lagos State has through the Lands Bureau sorted, merged, scanned, indexed and digitised the files used in processing title documents in the State. On Thursday, 22 September 2022, the first set of electronic title documents designed via Aumentum application and hosted on Electronic Geographical Information System (EGIS) Platform were signed by the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN.

TurnAlausaPurple Campaign Awareness

Posted on September 19, 2022

The State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) today continued its #TurnAlausaPurple campaign awareness to the Ministry of Justice as part of the agency’s activities to commemorate the month long awareness campaign themed “IT’S ON US”. The Attorney General and Chairman Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) commended the Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and her team for putting together the campaign all over the nooks and crannies of the State. Mr Onigbanjo stressed that the team “IT’S ON US” is apt based on the compelling need to ensure that residents of the State realize that eradicating the menace of Sexual and Gender based Violence is a collective effort from all and sundry and basically a collaboration of all members of the society .

Lagos Presents E-Laws Platform

Posted on September 14, 2022

In a bid to ensure quick dispensation of justice as well as easy access to justice the Lagos State Government through the State Ministry of Justice in partnership with LawPavilion business solutions, a technology solutions provider engaged in the business of publishing judicial authorities, cases and laws has announced the Lagos State E-laws platform. The E-laws of Lagos State is an electronic library of the laws and annotated law of the state. This is the first electronic collection of a state law in the country. In his welcome address at the presentation on Wednesday at the Ministry’s conference room, the Lagos State Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN noted that since the commencement of the present administration, the justice sector in Lagos State has experienced the implementation of programmes aimed at giving the people of Lagos greater access to justice through dynamic law reforms and adherence to the rule of law. Onigbanjo stated that the importance of creating awareness of the laws passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly cannot be over emphasised hence the partnership between the Ministry of Justice and LawPavilion to publish the laws of the state in electronic format for easy access. “The State in its bid for continued effective and efficient administration of justice, through the Law Reform Commission, an agency of Government charged with the responsibility of publishing the laws of Lagos state and other state legislations in electronic and print copies enters into an agreement with LawPavilion Business Solutions” The agreement according to the attorney general is for annotation of the laws of Lagos State and conversion of the laws on agreed texts and format for publication on the LawPavilion electronic platform. The attorney general noted that one of the advantages of the initiative is that the e-publishing of the laws will provide ease of doing business as investors and other interested persons will now have access to all the laws to Lagos State at a glance while reducing the difficulties that are often associated with physical purchase of law and the wear and tear associated with the hard copies. “This means that the annotated laws of Lagos State are available to the public and particularly to lawyers all over the world, I therefore welcome you to a world of easy access to the robust laws of Lagos State”. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey in her address thanked the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support towards easy access to justice and quick dispensation of justice. She noted this couldn’t have been achieved without the support of Mr. Governor while thanking the law reform commission for a thorough job while noting that the E-law of Lagos State will in no small measure bring the administration of Justice in Lagos State in line with international best practices, which encourages technology as a major driver of legal initiatives. The Managing Director, LawPavillion, Mr. Ope Olugasa noted that it is an epoch-making event stating that it is the first of its kind by any state in Nigeria. He stated that the initiative is in line with the current reality of the new normal. Olugasa further noted that the E-law will make it easy for judges and legal practitioners to have access to the complete and updated law of Lagos State. He stated that those who want access to the laws have the option of either an outright purchase for a token of the entire laws or an annual subscription through the LawPavillion platform.

Lagos “Showcase” Achievements at 62nd NBA AGC

Posted on August 24, 2022

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday showcased some of its various achievements at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association currently holding at Eko Atlantic City,Victoria island. In his welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) noted that the ‘showcase session’ was organised to highlight some of the developmental strides of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s adminstration as encapsulated in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda since inception. The commissioner stated that giant strides have been recorded in the area of infrastructure development, healthcare, transportation, land administration, economy, security among others. “The essence of this showcase session is to let the people of Lagos State have an idea of what is going on in Lagos State, the structures, processes, deliverables, milestones, achievements and what the people can expect under the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda”. The attorney-general urged Lagosians to be rest assured that all the policies and programmes of the present administration will be fully implemented. The acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Saheed Quadri in his remarks stated that the State Government will continue to up the ante of governance and serve as a worthy reference point in the country. He however urged residents to cooperate with the State Government in making Lagos a Mega City. Speakers at the event includes Mr. Tunji Bello, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health; Engr. (Mrs) Aramide Adeyoye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works & Infrastructure and Mr. Bode Agoro, Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau. Other speakers include Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency; Engr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, LAMATA; Engr. (Mrs.) Ibilola Kasunmu, GM Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency. There was thunderous applause from guests as the various achievements and milestones were reeled out with a charge that there should be more sessions to highlight the numerous milestones recorded by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Guests at the event included the Deputy Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari and former attorney general of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba among others.