The Lagos state government has formally unveiled a renovated library at Lagos State Criminal and Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN while making his opening remarks said;  “The commissioning of the library is a  demonstration of the commitment of the State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Police to the Rule of Law in Lagos State”.  He also said that, the library would serve to better educate Police Prosecutors on Legal issues in order to enable them attend more efficiently to legal matters in court and  to further deepen their legal  knowledge. The Attorney General, who represented the Lagos State Governor at the event, said the request for the newly renovated library was made by the State Commissioner of Police at a meeting held with the Governor and in turn, the Governor gave a directive to the Ministry of Justice to facilitate the refurbishment, renovation and equipping of the library. Onigbanjo  who  commissioned  the library on behalf of the Governor, added that the library has been equipped with Computers, Photocopiers, Printers, Electronic research tools of the Law Pavilion and relevant books on the Laws of Lagos State.  Adding that more books would  be  supplied  to the library every year. Onigbnjo therefore urged Police Prosecutors who are partners in justice delivery to make the benefits of the new library reflect in their  oral arguments of Cases and presentations before the court. He also requested s better cooperation between Police Prosecutors and the team of District Prosecutors who have been placed in all State Magistrate Courts with the task of vetting charges before they are filed. The Commissioner of Police, CP. Hakeem Odumosu while appreciating the laudable project well executed by the State Government, reiterated that the Police are Law enforcement Officers who have good understanding of   Laws of the State but with the provision of the new library, the Police would keep themselves abreast of Legal information to be use in carrying out their duties more efficiently both in Court and outside of the Court. The Director of Public Prosecution, State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi in her remarks during the  commissioning said, if the library is well used by the Police Lawyers, it would ease the  work done by her office, by the quality of files brought to her table. She enjoined  Police Prosecutors to make adequate use of the library, adding that her Directorate is always prepared to organize trainings for Police Investigators and Prosecutors. Kayode  Oyekanmi Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Justice 3rd March 2021

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice today began a stakeholders’ meeting on the Review of the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law, 2015. The meeting, organised by the Ministry’s  Directorate of Legislative Drafting, is seeking to update the law to make it responsive to current realities. Director, Legislative Drafting, Mrs Aderinsola Olarenwaju, explained the importance of the review.  “The present legislation is a good law, it’s been in existence since since 1957,” Olarenwaju said, adding that there is a need to “look into it, identify the lacuna and change things not in tandem with present realities.” She explained that the Ministry identified several lacuna in the law and set up a committee which came up with a draft containing proposals that were presented at the meeting.  The director urged those who didn’t join the session to “send a memorandum for amendment of sections or repeal.” Olarenwaju added that a bigger session would be held with obas and other stakeholders in attendance.  Director, Chieftaincy, Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Folami Lukman, praised the Ministry “especially the Directorate of Legislative Drafting” for organising the event.  Emphasising the need for the review, he revealed that there were no fewer than 93 monarchs – 65 of whom are first class obas – and 10 empty stools in Lagos State.  He said: “The law really needs to be upgraded. They should help us fast-track this review. Everybody wants to become Oba, chief. Even those with red blood, that are not bluebloods, they want to become obas. Let us do something and help our laws and help save the state.  “The state’s size is not increasing. As of today, we have 93 obas on ground; about 10 stools that need to be occupied.”  An Assistant Director, Legislative Drafting, Mr. Abdulfatai Muheed, presented the Directorate’s proposals.  The interactive session considered amending several sections of the Law, including Section 12 which provides that amendment or replacement of registered declaration is permissible only once.

…Secures 167 Judgments On Civil, Criminal Litigations In One Year …As Sanwo-Olu Ramps Up Infrastructure To Strengthen Judiciary, Police The Lagos State Government facilitated amicable settlement of N1, 242, 765, 569 debt among residents through mediation in the last one year, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has said. Presenting the scorecard of the Ministry of Justice and its agencies at the Ministerial Press Briefing held at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday as part of activities commemorating the first anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, Onigbanjo said the sum came out of the 22,896 cases that were amicably resolved among parties by the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC). He said the CMC, which is an agency under the Ministry charged with the responsibility of providing free legal services to residents, received 39,586 cases for mediation in the last one year, out of which 30,017 were mediated.   “A total number of 39,586 cases were received for mediation. Out of this number, 30,017 were mediated and 22,896 were totally resolved. The cases not treated were either abandoned by the parties or independently resolved by them. “The total value of settlement of debt related matters facilitated by the Centre on behalf of parties during the period under review is One billion, two hundred and forty-two million, seven hundred and sixty-five thousand, five hundred and sixty-nine naira only (N1, 242, 765, 569),” Onigbanjo said. He said the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) received a total of 1,092 case files in the period under review, and issued 1,079 legal advice, out of which 1,148 information and proof of evidence were filed in court. “The DPP, within the period under review, received a total of 282 applications for Plea Bargain, out of which 230 was approved while 52 applications were rejected. The DPP obtained a total of 127 Judgments, one of such judgment (State of Lagos v. Olalekan Hameed) was via remote hearing during the pandemic lockdown leading to the conviction for murder and sentencing to death. “The DPP equally filed charge of involuntary manslaughter against a Truck Driver on BRT corridor at Ikorodu; charged a Police Officer for Murder of one Kolade Johnson; prosecuted the case of Danish citizen who allegedly murdered his wife and daughter; and murder of wife of Maersk MD, among other cases,” the Commissioner said. On the other hand, he said the Directorate of Civil Litigation defended the 144 cases that were filed against the State Government in the State High Courts, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in the last one year; secured 40 judgments and concluded a number of cases, with reduction of contingent liability for government.  He added that the State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) saddled with the responsibility of providing legal aid and other related functions to the masses, especially the less privileged and the vulnerable received a total of 427 petitions and 690 criminal cases in the last one year. Giving a breakdown, the Commissioner said: “In the period under review, OPD received 427 petitions, concluded 85 through ADR; received 690 criminal cases, 140 civil cases, embarked on 4 rescue missions, treated 40 domestic violence cases, addressed the matter of 6 children who were in conflict with the law, obtained 14 judgments, handled 10 police matters, kept 6 children in OPD custody and assisted in paying compensation to people, including saving the child in the Jehovah Witness blood transfusion case.  “The OPD also visited all correctional services in the State to render free legal services to inmates who do not have legal representation, as well as embarked on several trainings.” Also, the Commissioner said the Commercial Law Directorate of the Ministry drafted over 100 Agreements from May 2019-May, 2020 on behalf of the State Government, while 14 major Agreements were concluded. In terms of ramping up infrastructure to strengthen the judiciary and the police, the Commissioner said within the period under review, Governor Sanwo-Olu commissioned a combined High/Magistrate Courts christened Christopher Olatunde Segun Courthouse at Badore, Ajah to promote easy access to Justice for Lagosians at the grassroots.  “The fully equipped court complex is made up of 5 Court Rooms, which consists of three magistrate courts and two High Courts, lawyer’s office, kitchen, Judges’ chambers, library, Registrar’s Office and conference room facility,” he said. Other projects are Ilashe Area L Police Command; Area J Police Command, Elemoro; two new complexes at Iba and Ojo LGAs for the CMC; and refurbishment of police law library at Panti.

…as magisterial district prosecutors filter more cases presented by IPOs The Lagos State Government has prosecuted about 185 cases within the months of March and April 2020 from 3 magisterial districts of Ogba, Ebute-Meta and Ikorodu. This is contained in the monthly report of district  prosecutors released yesterday by the ministry. In the report,  prosecution of the 185 cases was approved after been filtered by the district prosecutors assigned to Ikorodu, Ogba, and Ebutte -Metta magistrate courts. The creation of District Prosecutors on March 3rd, 2020 as a sub- unit under the department of Public Prosecution to operate in a pilot scheme involving 3 magisterial areas of the State, was adopted as part of the recommendations of the Arthur Worrey led Advisory Committee on Police prosecutorial power in magistrate courts inaugurated in January, 2020 by the State Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice. In the recommendation, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Fola Arthur-Worry Esq, in January 2020 said a sub-unit of the DPP office should be established in 3 Magistrate Courts to filter charges presented by Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to the magistrate courts. He added that the involvement of the sub -unit of the DPP’S Office would ensure that cases presented by the IPO meets the evidential threshold required by the Law. It will be recalled, that the Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN in his reaction during  submission of the report of the Arthur- Worrey  Committee, said; “the operations of the district prosecutors would enhance speedy prosecution of cases before the court. It would also ensure the striking out of cases that disclose no prima facia evidence of offense committed.” He added that the district prosecutors would henceforth, take over the prosecution of severe and grievous criminal matters before the court.

The Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Thursday dismissed two suits requesting the sum of N10 Million as compensation from the Lagos State Attorney –General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN. Two individuals Joseph Peter and Idowu Akorede sued Onigbanjo over alleged infringement of personal liberty and violation of fundamental human rights. ‘’In both cases, Applicants prayed the court to declare that their Fundamental Right to personal liberty is being infringed upon by the State Attorney-General,” the suit read. ‘’They, therefore, asked the court to release the Applicants unconditionally and award 10 Million Naira against the respondent’’. The ruling Judge, Hon. Justice O. O  Ogunjobi however dismissed the case filed by the applicants and refused to declare that the respondent infringed on their rights to personal liberty. Justice Ogunjobi instead charged the applicants for conspiracy against the Lagos attorney-general.  ‘’You are hereby remanded for conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery and Armed Robbery while your request for 10 million naira compensation is dismissed’,” Justice Ogunjobi ruled.