PAC – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE

Posted on November 25, 2022

LAGOS PAC: COMMITTED TO OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO RESIDENTS The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Public Advice Centre (PAC), is committed to providing easy access to information for residents seeking to know their rights and responsibilities while offering free legal advice on infringement cases in tandem with the State Government T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda on security and governance. This statement was disclosed by the Director of the Centre, Mrs. Husseina Akinnawo during a chat with the media team in her office recently. Mrs. Husseina Akinnawo stated that the Centre is an intermediary between the State Government and the grassroots who require enlightenment on the policies of the State Government. According to her, PAC also serves as a First Port of Call for residents in distress and a Directory for those who need information on where to seek recourse or help in cases of infringement by way of referral to relevant government institutions in accordance with the extant Laws of Lagos State. “The Centre is modelled according to the United Kingdom Citizens Advice Bureau now called Citizens Advice which resolves issues on limitless range of subjects”, she said. The Director further disclosed that the PAC has treated over 3 million cases and recorded notable milestones since inception in 2008. In the last one year, the PAC has attended to 8,987 cases ranging from free legal advice and referred cases from tenancy matters to debt recovery, domestic violence, consumer advisory services, violation of human rights violation, Social Exclusion and environmental related issues to mention but a few that are on its mandate which has helped to ensure access to justice and maintenance of stability in the society through the promotion of legal awareness. “To ensure that residents in the State take advantage of the services the State Government provides, the Centre plans to embark on more sensitizaition campaigns, using both digital and traditional methods, while planning to open Sub-Offices in the 4 divisions of Lagos State which will expand to the 20 Local Government Areas of the State and the 37 LCDAs for more residents to benefit” she added.

Lagos Attorney General,MOJ Staff Celebrates Retiring Directors

Posted on August 11, 2022

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice ,Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo,SAN on Tuesday commended Mr. Dawodu Oladehinde, Past Director Public Advice Center (PAC) and Mr. Bajulaiye Adegboyega, former Executive Secretary and head of Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) ,Magodo for their excellent and meritorious service to the State after attaining the statutory retirement age and 35years in Service respectively Speaking during the last day in office ceremony organised by the Ministry at the ministry’s conference room at Alausa Ikeja,the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) showered praises on the retirees for their dedication, commitment, and excellent service to the State Government. In his words: “Mr Dawodu and Mr Bajulaiye have given their best to the ministry, it is befitting that we organize this celebration to honour them and to usher them into the next phase of their lives”. The commissioner commended Mr. Dawodu for playing a prominent role in transforming the Lagos State Public Advice Center (PAC) where he served as its director before his retirement while describing him as a perfect gentleman. Onigbanjo described the retired director of LETI, Mr. Bajulaiye Adegboyega as a pace setter being the pioneer head of the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch which has been replicated in many states. While also commending him for the training of the State’s Law Enforcement Officers. He urged the retirees not to relent whenever their services are required by the State Government while enjoining the staff present at the program to emulate and learn from the exemplary behaviour and dedication of the retirees. In his welcome address,the Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Saheed Quadri represented by the Director of Civil Litigation, Mr. Hammed Oyenuga commended the retirees for leaving an indelible mark noting that they were excellent and meticulous legal officers. He expressed appreciation to the retirees for their loyalty, commitment, perseverance, dedication and untold sacrifices through the years, while acknowledging their support towards the junior officers in the ministry and wishing them good health as they begin another chapter in their endeavours. The Permanent Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Mrs Olubukola Salami thanked and rejoiced with both retirees for their excellent service to the State Government and especially their families for giving them tremendous support throughout their years in the civil service. Delivering his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamal Olowoshago prayed for good health and success for the retirees stating that better days lay ahead for them. Other directors in attendance eulogised the excellent leadership qualities of Messers Dawodu and Bajulaiye noting their conduct as exemplary and worthy of emulation by other staff while also prayed for Gods blessings and guidance in the new chapter of their lives. In their responses, the retirees thanked the Lagos State Government and the ministry for the opportunity to serve, while showing gratitude for the impressive retirement party on their behalf .They expressed their readiness to return the kind gesture of government by making themselves available to serve or assist in whatever capacity whenever they are called upon to do so. The ceremony also had in attendance, lawyers, family members, friends and other members of staff in the ministry.

Lagos Urges Citizens to Promote Peaceful Co-Existence

Posted on March 16, 2022

The Lagos State Government has charged citizens to be committed to efforts geared towards establishing peaceful and harmonious coexistence in the State. This was disclosed by Director, Lagos State Public Advice Centre, Mr. Tunji Dawodu at a sensitisation campaign held at Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Badagry. Dawodu who led the team to the community revealed that the exercise was part of the move to engage Lagosians on their role in promoting an harmonious society where development can thrive. Speaking at the event, the Director explained that the establishment of the Public Advise Centre serves as the first port of call for citizens in distress and those seeking information and advice on their rights and responsibilities. According to him, in every human society, disputes and controversies are inevitable, and as a progressive government, we must continue to seek positive ways to manage these challenges and make the society peaceful and better. He declared that the State government has resolved to enlighten the citizens on positive approaches in resolving some of the recurrent issues in the society noting that the government is committed to due diligence and fairness in resolving issues. He addded that peculiar issues in our society such as marital dispute, tenancy controversies, property management, environmental related matters as well as family and inheritance matters should not be nipped in the bud immediately before escalating to unmanageable proportions and threatening societal peace. He noted that the advocacy campaign was designed to educate Lagosians especially people at the grassroots on their rights and responsibilities. The Director stressed on the free legal advice offered by the centre and referral of special cases to other appropriate Agencies of the Lagos State Government which according to him are always followed up till resolved. Responding to questions from members of the community, Dawodu affirmed that cases such as land grabbing, property theft, environmental pollution, tenancy issue, community dues are always referred to other agencies of government including Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Citizens Mediation Center (CMC) Landgrabbers, Administrator-General and Public Trustee, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA)and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency amongst others. While urging members of the community to always seek alternative dispute resolution channels provided by the government, the Director emphasized on the need for people to shun violence and be law abiding Applauding the state government for the outreach, the leadership of the community attested to the free legal services and timely resolution of issues by the Centre, stating that the community development association would continue to preach the clarion for peace and harmony.

PAC Moves to Sensitize Lagos Residents On Free Legal Services

Posted on January 27, 2022

The Lagos State Public Advice Centre (PAC) on Tuesday embarked on a sensitisation campaign across the Lagos metropolis to educate residents on the activities of the centre, especially its free legal services. The Director of PAC, Mr. Tunji Dawodu, who led the exercise, stressed that in addition to the free legal services, the Centre also provides support to Lagosians who seek accurate information to engender harmonious living with one another. While urging some Balogun Market traders and residents to avail themselves of the free legal services offered by PAC, Dawodu encouraged them to always visit the Agency’s office located at Alausa, Ikeja, beside the Secretariat Mosque, for necessary legal assistance. In his words: “This Centre is your first port of call for anything and everything. All residents in the State can contact us or visit our office at Alausa to lodge their complaints or make enquiries”. He explained that the advocacy campaign was designed to educate Lagosians, especially traders, marketmen and women, whose daily activities could hinder them from accessing the services of the Agency. “The strategy we have decided to adopt for this year is to take our services to the people and not wait for them to come to us. We don’t want our people to suffer as a result of ignorance or lack of relevant information”, Dawodu said. The Director, therefore, urged all Lagos residents to abide by existing laws and regulations guiding their daily activities, saying that the Centre will always lend its support in as much as citizens act within the ambit of the law.

Lagos Attorney General Pays Unscheduled Visits to Agencies Under The Ministry Of Justice

Posted on January 18, 2022

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, recently paid unscheduled visits to the Public Advice Centre (PAC) and the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee (AG & PT). The Commissioner enjoined State Counsel and support staff to be effective and efficient in the performance and discharge of their duties noting that residents depend on them for FREE legal advice and counsel in resolving issues bothering on Administration of Wills, Estate Management, Properties and other areas of concern. Whilst emphasizing the importance of their services to the Public, the Attorney General appreciated members of staff for their continued support and commitment. Mr. Onigbanjo, SAN reiterated their critical role in ensuring access to justice and law reform which are integral components of the THEMES Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Administration, particularly*S* Security and Governance.

LASG Offers Free Legal Consultation to Epe Residents

Posted on June 5, 2021

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has provided free legal consultations to the residents of Epe community on Thursday 3rd June 2021, as part of its continuous statewide legal clinic exercise. According to the Director for Citizens’ Rights, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, the Joint Legal Clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice to have a one-stop-shop for free legal consultation and other related matters for residents of Lagos State. She added that the Joint Legal Clinic team, comprising all legal service oriented directorates and agencies in the Ministry, which include: Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit, Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) were all represented at the Legal Clinic which held at Epe Local Government Secretariat. Odusanya noted that, the free Legal Clinic is scheduled to hold in all the 5 divisions of Lagos State namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos-Island and Epe, with the aim of reaching and providing easy access to legal consultations and representation for the indigent and vulnerable members of society. Speaking during the exercise, the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Jide Martins, had also explained that the Legal Clinic was specifically organised for the people at the grassroots of every community across the State in order to bring access to justice closer to the people, while sensitizing the residents on their Fundamental Human Rights. He said, “This initiative by the Ministry is in compliance with the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu which aims to promote and achieve security and good governance among the residents of Lagos State”. On his part, the Alara of Ilara land, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the residents of Epe Land, to take advantage of the services provided by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice as this will ensure social development and peaceful co-existence of people within the Epe Community. While attesting to the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, at ensuring speedy dispensation of Justice, even as the industrial action by Judicial staff lingers, he noted that his office, would continue to promote among Epe residents, the option of resolving conflicts through Mediation, using alternative dispute resolution platforms already provided by the State Government. While expressing his appreciation to the state government on behalf of the community, the General Secretary, Oloja in Council, the Odofin of Epe Land, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, commended the Ministry of Justice for bringing the Legal Clinic to their door steps as it affords them the opportunity of accessing within Epe community, qualitative legal consultations at no cost to them. Dayo Asanbe & Bola Okedunwon Public Affairs Officers Ministry of Justice 3rd June 2021