Onigbanjo – Page 5 – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Lagos Conducts Over 158 Forensic Investigations on Crime, 437 Paternity Related Issues

Posted on August 12, 2021

… Holds Virtual 5th Lagos Forensic Symposium The Lagos State Government has said its Forensic Centre has conducted about 158 crime scenes investigation and also investigated 437 cases involving paternity associated with child support and inheritance. Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) made the disclosure on Tuesday during the virtual 5th Edition of Lagos Forensic Symposium hosted by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre and ITSI – Biosciences LLC, Johnstown, PA USA. While speaking on the importance of Forensic Science, the Commissioner noted that introduction of Forensic Science to Criminal Justice Administration has enhanced police investigations, and facilitated speedy identification and conviction of perpetrators of crime and also helped in the exoneration of innocent persons. “Lagos State Government recognizes the importance of forensic analysis, which led to the establishment of Lagos State DNA & Forensic Center (LSD&FC) to support investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies,” Onigbanjo noted. He added that “the Center was commissioned in September 2017 while the Lagos State Forensic Biology/DNA unit and the DNA Database and Matching system attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation in February 2019.” Onigbanjo noted that the violence that erupted during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020 had a negative impact on the DNA and Forensic Centre after it was attacked and the complex extensively damaged by a Mob alongside other public and private properties in Lagos State. He assured Lagosians that rebuilding of the Centre remains a top priority of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s administration. The Attorney-General noted that the 5th Lagos Forensic Symposium will provide up-to-date information on how forensic science is applied in criminal investigations, law enforcement, mass fatalities, sexual assault, wildlife trafficking and other related matters in Lagos State. Onigbanjo added, “the annual Forensic Symposium is targeted at Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers, Law makers, Police Investigators, Forensic pathologist/scientists, Medical practitioners, Emergency responders, students, NGOs and Investigative Journalists. kayode Oyekanmi Director Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 11th August 2021

OPD’s Governing Council pays a visit to the Attorney General

Posted on August 7, 2021

Today, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN received in his office at Alausa the Chairman and Board Members of Governing Council, Office of Public Defender (OPD) on a courtesy visit to assess the operating modality of OPD. The Governing Council which was inaugurated in August 2020 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu comprises of Mrs. Bola Tinubu (chairman), Ayo Olusanwo, Busola Akinbiyi, Babajide Badmos and Dr. Babajide Martins. The Chairman, Governing Council Office Public Defender, Mrs. Bola Tinubu commended the dedication and passion of the members of staff of the Office Public Defender in providing free legal service to all residents of the Lagos State. Towards attaining the council’s mandate of ensuring access to justice for all residents at no cost to them, the board members assessed the challenges faced by the office, solutions and discussed the need to take the Office of Public Defender (OPD) to a higher level of performance with the new reform initiatives.

Federal High Court Declines Requests to Stop Local Government Elections in Lagos

Posted on July 23, 2021

A Federal High Court Ikoyi has refused requests by 11 political parties to halt the holding of the Chairmen and Councillors election into the 57 Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State. Honourable Justice Akintayo Aluko made the decision in a ruling delivered this morning, 23rd July 2021 in Suit No FHC/L/CS/596/2021 which was filed by the Alliance of Social Democrats & 10 Other Political Parties against Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and Lagos State Government. Justice Aluko in the ruling upheld the submissions of the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) on behalf of the Lagos State Government. The Court declined jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit seeking to stop the conduct of the election coming up tomorrow 24th July 2021. In a similar development, the above decision of the Court was also upheld in another matter filed by the Youth Party against LASIEC & Another in Suit No FHC/L/CS/625/2021. The Court not only declined jurisdiction but vacated the Interim Order of Injunction earlier granted in the matter on the 12th July 2021. In view of the above, the elections in to the 57 Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas in the Lagos State will hold on Saturday, 24th July, 2021 as earlier scheduled. Members of the public are therefore advised to peacefully exercise their franchise by ensuring that they come out to vote and abide by the guidelines of LASIEC. Kayode OyekanmiDirector, Public AffairsMinistry of Justice23rd July 2021

Lagos Ministry of Justice Receives Nasarawa State Attorney General And His Team

Posted on July 13, 2021

…to understudy operations of Lagos MOJ Today, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN received at his office at Alausa, Ikeja, the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasarawa State, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana and his team from Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, on a one-day working visit to understudy the operations of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The Nasarawa delegation was warmly received by the Lagos State Attorney General and his team comprising the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Director Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, Director Citizen’s Mediation Centre, Mrs. Abiola Oseni amongst other top Directors of the Ministry. The Attorney General Nasarawa State, Dr. Abdulkarim A. Kana during the visit sought for better collaboration between the two ministries to ensure an effective administration of Justice in the Country.

LASG Hands Over New Temporary Court Complex at Osborne to Judiciary

Posted on July 2, 2021

…to replace burnt Igbosere High court Lagos State Government on Thursday, handed over a new temporary Court complex at Osborne to the Judiciary to replace burnt Igbosere High Court. Recall that Governor Sanwo-olu promised to relocate the Igbosere High Court which was burnt in October 2020 during the EndSARS protest to a property located in Ikoyi. The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN said the Court complex is a temporary relocation while awaiting the rebuilding of the burnt Igbosere High Court Complex into a modern and sofisticated Courthouse. He added that the temporary Court complex consists of 8 Court rooms with equal number of Judges’ Chambers, Secretary’s office, Registrar’s office, General office for administrative staff, restrooms on each floor, Canteen, litigants’ room, and an office for the Chief Judge. The Attorney-General noted that the new temporary Court complex is equipped with the latest technology to enhance digital recording of Court proceedings. “In fulfillment of Sanwo-olu’s administration promise on the digitalization of court rooms in Lagos State, the temporary Courthouse is equipped with up-to-date technology,” Onigbanjo said. While handing over the Court complex, the Attorney-General implored the Judiciary to make maximum use of the Court House for the benefit of residents of Lagos State. In receiving the new temporary Court complex, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, appreciated the efforts of Governor Sanwo-Olu for his timely response to the challenge of the burnt Igbosere Courthouse by providing a replacement. He added that this temporary arrangement will ease the trauma experienced by the Judiciary after the Igbosere High Court got burnt during the EndSars protest in October 2020. “The edifice will be a relief to the Judges whose properties got burnt during the End SARS protest which was quite traumatic because they are used to working and not being idle for a long period of time” Alogba said. The Chief Judge disclosed that Court sittings will be at 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday inorder to ensure the safety of the Judges and residents of Osborne Estate, Ikoyi. He commended agencies of the State government that assisted in the timely completion of the temporary Courthouse project. Noting that with today’s handing over of the Court house, speedy dispensation of justice in the State will be enhanced. Kayode Oyekanmi Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 1st July 2021

530 Inmates Take Advantage of Plea Bargain In Lagos

Posted on June 17, 2021

…as LASG takes plea bargain session to Kirikiri 530 inmates in Correctional Centres in Lagos State have so far taken advantage of the Plea Bargain protocol since it was introduced in the State in 2017. The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, made the disclosure at the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre in Lagos where he led officials of the ministry to a Plea & Sentence Bargain sensitisation session for Awaiting Trial Inmates. Onigbanjo said the process which is aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in Lagos State is in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s reform initiative in the administration of criminal justice in the State. The Attorney General explained that the Plea & Sentence Bargain process which is in collaboration with the Lagos State Command of the National Correctional Centre, the State Judiciary and the Lagos State Police Command will assist in efforts geared towards reducing the population of inmates awaiting trials in Correctional facilities in the State. He noted that the Plea Bargain option is aimed at Prison decongestion and not a ploy to compel inmates to plead guilty to lesser Charges. Onigbanjo said the severity of the offence, length of sentences and acceptance or rejection of the offers by the Judge are major determinants in a Plea Bargain process. He stated that 27 inmates in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre – 16 male and 11 females are beneficiaries of Thursday’s Plea Bargain session that will be replicated at the Ikoyi and Badagary Correctional Centres in Lagos State. The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey earlier in her welcome address, explained that the Plea Bargain process is in compliance with the Lagos State Justice Law 2015 and a testament to the State Government’s commitment to a robust Administration of Criminal Justice in the State. “We are here to correct the impression, that Plea Bargain is for the rich alone. It is for everyone whether they are literate or illiterate, rich or poor,” Shitta-Bey said. The Controller of Lagos State Command, Nigeria Correctional Centre, Adewale Adebisi said, inmates congestion is the major challenge in all Correctional facilities in the state. According to him; the Centres are struggling to cope with the congestion caused by 6,000 inmates standing trials. He noted that some of the inmates in Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Correctional Centres have been in custody for 10 to 12 years without trial or conviction. He urged inmates who have been standing trial for a long time to consider the Plea Bargain option.

Avocats Sans Frontier, France pays a visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice

Posted on May 5, 2021

Today, the Hon. Attorney-General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN received in his office at Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 a delegation from Avocats Sans Frontier, France ( An international Solidarity Organization created to strengthen the rule of law and access to Justice for the most vulnerable people) During the courtesy visit, the delegation led by Country Director, Angela Uzoma- Iwuchukwu requested a continuous synergy between Avocats Sans Frontier and the State Government inorder to: Promote easy access to justice for vulnerable who sometimes suffer arbitrarily detention or torture from Law Enforcement Agencies. Also, the organization defends the rights of any persons who may have been deprived of their independence or abused in the exercise of their function. While responding to the requests of Avocats Sans Frontier, the Attorney- General noted that the State is committed to upholding the rule of law and also protect the right of the citizenry, most especially the vulnerable ones in the society. He reiterated that the State Government has zero -tolerance for any form of extra- judicial ill-treatment of residents by Security Personnel. The Commissioner promised that the State Government will continue to collaborate with Stakeholders and Organizations to ensure effective and efficient administration of Justice in the State.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V OLANREWAJU JAMES (BABA IJESHA)

Posted on May 4, 2021

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations. On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise. After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise on the 4th of May, 2021, which is to the effect that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015: Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child- punishable by 7 years imprisonment, Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment, Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration- punishable by life imprisonment, Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and Section 263, Sexual Assault- punishable by 3 years imprisonment. Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book. It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses. The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice 4th May, 2021

LASG Warns Against Use of Landgrabbers, Violence In Property Dispute

Posted on April 25, 2021

The Lagos State Government on Thursday, warned residents with land disputes against resorting to self-help, employing land grabbers to perpetrate violence. The Commissioner for justice/Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ikorodu with the theme “Land Grabbers, the Law, and Your rights”. “All we are saying is that no one should resort to self-help, there are laws in place, and violence will never be condoned in settling of disputes in land matters”Onigbanjo said. “The Court of Law is easy access by any aggrieved resident. It is important all residents should learn to uphold the rule of law, rather than resorting to self which lead to Killing and maiming people all in the name of land disputes. This, will not be tolerated.” Onigbanjo, represented by Saheed Quadri, the Director Advisory Services in the ministry, noted that the government enacted the Lagos State property protection law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties. He accused some traditional leaders and community members of working as accomplices for land grabbers. Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, Owolabi Arole, said the use of land grabbers, perpetuating violence and killings over properties have contributed to the stifled property development in the Ikorodu division. Arole disclosed that the taskforce has received over 5000 petitions since its establishment in 2016. He said majority of these disputes are from the Ikorodu area. A Muslim cleric, the Grand Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, Yaya Oshoala, also indicted lawyers, police, and traditional leaders of complicity in violence emanating from land grabbing incidences. Oshoala said that land grabbers in Ikorodu should not be solely blamed for illegal land acquisition, as some eggs in law enforcement agencies, also collaborate with other elements in the community to engage in illegal land grab. “There is injustice on the part of some family elders and the baales (traditional chiefs) due to their greed and selfish interests,” Oshoala said. “We rely on the police but they some times let us down, these land grabbers collude with them to subvert justice.” Lagos State commissioner of police Hakeem Odumosu, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of operations, Oladotun Odubona, said that land grabbing could not be done without the support of conspirators within. He exonerated the police from the allegations of conspiring with land grabbers, saying the police job is to arrest, investigate and prosecute. “Anything done outside that is beyond the scope of police work,” he said. However, the representative of the Ikorodu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Shakiru Omolaja reiterated that section 11 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, prescribes 10 years’ imprisonment for anyone convicted of land grabbing and advised aggrieved parties to seek legal redress. Omolaja implored members of the community to respect the rule of law with regards to Land disputes instead of resulting to violence, saying ” Law is a respecter of no person”.

LASG to Digitalise Courts in October

Posted on March 12, 2021

In its bid to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in Lagos, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration is set to welcome the digitization of Courts in the State. Speaking at the first virtual Bar-Bench Forum 2021 on Wednesday, Lagos State Attorney- General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN noted that the coronavirus pandemic affected the digitalization of the courts as proposed in 2020 but would be achieved in October 2021. He said, the government has put plans in place to digitize 10 selected Court rooms at the first stage in the year. The Attorney-General added that the courtrooms will be equipped with the latest technology to assist the judges and counsel during court proceedings. “The digitalization will ensure speedy dispensation of Justice to the citizens of the State. The interest of Lagos State Citizens is paramount,” Onigbanjo said. He said the digital reform would eradicate all forms of paperwork and also make the Lagos courtrooms first-class in Africa. While speaking on the theme; The aftermath of Endsars protest and Effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the Justice system: Update on effort made so far, Onigbanjo urged participants that Virtual sitting should be embraced by all, noting that it has been ruled by the Federal Court to be Constitutional. “The rest of the world is moving on through the use of virtual sitting, there is a need for us all to embrace digitalization in the Justice sector,” Onigbanjo said. He added that a Lagos Court had the first virtual sitting during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown which was labeled unconstitutional but was later ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Speaking on the destruction of Court buildings in the State during the Endsars protest, Onigbanjo informed the gathering that the State Government had made budget provisions to renovate the destroyed High Courts and Magistrate Courts buildings in the next quarter of the year. Onigbanjo noted that the state government will be providing 8 Court rooms at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi by the end of April to ease the effect of destroyed Court buildings in the State. Also, during the forum, the Chief Judge of Lagos State Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba said the Judiciary will be investing more in the digitalization and ICT based initiatives in all its Legal engagements. He added, the Judiciary sector will take advantage of the aftermath of the Endsars incident to pursue more Information Communication Technology ICT programmes aimed at the digitalization of Court proceedings. “To restore speedy Justice delivery in the Justice sector, we have identified problems faced by the Judiciary as we are working tirelessly to resolve all of them” Alogba said the backlog of pending cases at both the State Magistrate and High Courts have been identified and will be looked into accordingly. The Chief Judge, however, appreciated the efforts of the State Government in identifying the effect of the Endsars incident on the Judiciary sector and ensuring that they function well in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virtual Bar – Bench forum was attended by State Attorney/ Commissioner for Justice, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) of Nigeria, Olumide Akpata, Solicitor- General/ Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey, State Counsels and Media Practitioners. Kayode Oyekanmi Director of Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 11th March, 2021