Press briefing and media parley – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS ADVANCES JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS WITH LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN ACCESS TO JUSTICE, ININNOVATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Posted on May 22, 2026

…Ministry Deepens Transformation Through New Infrastructure, Digital Innovation, Staff Welfare and Access to Justice Initiatives The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has recorded significant milestones in justice sector reforms, infrastructure development, criminal justice administration, citizens’ rights protection, and institutional strengthening as part of activities marking the Third Year of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Second term in office. Speaking at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre on the 21st of May, 2026; the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, highlighted the Ministry’s achievements across various directorates, agencies, and specialised institutions, describing the justice sector as a critical driver of economic growth, public safety, investment protection, and social stability. According to the Attorney-General, the Ministry has continued to pursue reforms aimed at building a justice system that is efficient, accessible, technology-driven, investment-friendly, and people-centred. A major milestone recorded during the review period was the commissioning of key justice infrastructure projects, including the Nigerian Police Area Command “M” Headquarters at Idimu, the new Commercial Court at Tapa, Lagos Island, and the successful renovation of the J.I.C. Taylor Courthouse destroyed during the End SARS protests. The renovated courthouse now accommodates 24 courtrooms serving both High Courts and Magistrate Courts. The State Government also commissioned newly acquired official quarters comprising 34 three-bedroom flats for Magistrates and State Counsel in Ketu, with 10 units allocated to legal officers in the Ministry, the first initiative of its kind in Lagos State. In strengthening judicial administration, the Ministry completed the Deputy Sheriff Warehouse at Majidun, Ikorodu to ensure secure management of court exhibits and attached properties, while construction works also progressed substantially on the Magistrate Court Complexes at Randle Road, Apapa, Ebute-Metta, and the Combined High Court and Magistrate Court Complex at Igando. The Ministry further disclosed that the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), one of the State’s flagship digital justice initiatives, recorded 35,461 criminal cases within the last three years, bringing the all-time total on the platform to 84,297 criminal cases as at May 2026. The database now captures information on criminal matters across Magistrate and High Courts, including defendants granted bail, inmates in custody, ongoing trials, convictions, and related biometric records. In the area of law and order, Pedro stated that the Ministry secured a landmark judgment regulating public protests in Lagos State, restricting protests to designated locations while safeguarding the rights of other citizens and protecting public infrastructure from destruction. On property protection, the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers received 1,628 petitions between May 2023 and April 2026, successfully concluded 221 petitions, carried out 146 inscription exercises, restored several property owners to lawful possession, and prosecuted over 25 persons for land grabbing offences across the State. The Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled over 20,000 cases relating to domestic violence, rape, defilement, emotional abuse, cyberbullying, and sexual harassment during the review period. The Agency also inducted over 3,000 students into the Kings and Queens Club, reintroduced the 6820# USSD support platform, launched the “Ask INU” AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, and retained Lagos State’s position as the leading State in Nigeria in the prevention and response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the third consecutive year. Similarly, the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court adjudicated 58,342 environmental and traffic-related cases between 2023 and 2026, while generating ₦155.3 Million in revenue during the period under review. The Ministry also reported that the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights received 7,993 petitions, resolved 5,759 cases, and saved the State over ₦12 Billion through successful defence and dismissal of fundamental rights enforcement actions against the State Government. The Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB) continued to strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms by receiving 117,575 cases and successfully resolving 49,854 disputes across its 16 sub-offices statewide. The Bureau also recovered ₦1.49 Billion on behalf of disputing parties through mediation interventions. In advancing access to justice for vulnerable persons, the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) received 27,457 petitions, handled 42,050 court cases, secured 1,759 judgments, and recovered over ₦301.5 Million on behalf of indigent clients. The Bureau also rescued 262 vulnerable children and represented 2,575 children in conflict with the law. The Lagos State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking was also revitalized, leading to the inauguration of 114 Local Government Focal Persons and Neighbourhood Safety Officers, while the State hosted the first Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking involving participants from over 18 countries. On legislative reforms, the Ministry processed several landmark Bills and Executive Orders aimed at modernising governance and improving justice delivery. These include the Administration of Civil Justice Bill, proposed amendment to the Tenancy Law, Restorative Justice Bill, Protection Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Bill, and the Lagos State Parking Authority Bill. The Ministry further secured assent to several strategic laws including the Lagos State Electricity Law, Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law, Human Organ Harvest and Tissue Transplantation Law, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, and the Lagos State Government Staff Housing Board Law. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued 2,342 legal advices, approved 687 plea bargain applications, filed 1,485 criminal informations, and secured 391 judgments during the period under review. The Directorate also handled several high-profile criminal matters, including the successful conviction of BRT driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola. The Directorate of Civil Litigation also recorded major legal victories, saving Lagos State over ₦96.6 Billion in potential liabilities through successful defence of high-value claims instituted against the Government. Similarly, the Directorate of Commercial Law generated ₦5.56 Billion in revenue for the State while supporting strategic infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership projects, including the Lagos Bus Reform Initiative, waterfront developments, renewable energy projects, and power generation agreements projected to increase electricity supply by approximately 400 megawatts within three years. Another major institutional milestone recorded during this period, was the successful creation of two additional Permanent Secretary positions within the Ministry, a First in its history. This followed the upgrade of key agencies under the Ministry into full-fledged Bureaus, a strategic reform aimed at addressing the long standing

PRESS RELEASE – LAGOS ATTORNEY GENERAL MARKS TWO YEARS IN OFFICE WITH LANDMARK LEGAL VICTORIES.

Posted on October 1, 2025

…, ₦1.5 BILLION TAX RECOVERY, AND OVER 25,000 CRIMINAL CASES DIGITIZED The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, on Tuesday 30th of September, 2025 held a press briefing and media parley to commemorate his second year in office at the Ministry of Justice Conference room, Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja. Mr. Pedro, who was sworn into office on 13th September 2023 following his appointment by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and confirmation by the Lagos State House of Assembly, described the two-year milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and highlight significant accomplishments that have shaped governance, protected rights, and expanded access to justice in Lagos. In his address, the AG noted that legal advisory services to Ministries, Departments and Agencies have become faster and more efficient, while the prosecution and defence of cases on behalf of the State Government have been greatly strengthened. A landmark success was the Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutional authority of Lagos State to regulate lotteries and games of chance, thereby protecting State revenue and entrenching fiscal federalism. He disclosed that the State has already returned to court to initiate contempt proceedings against the National Assembly for attempting to override the judgment through a Central Gaming Bill. On criminal prosecution, Mr. Pedro recalled the conviction of Andrew Nice in the BRT rape and murder case, describing it as proof of the Ministry’s resolve to deliver justice without fear or favour. He also highlighted the use of plea bargain, with 361 applications processed in the last two years, out of which 314 were approved, helping to decongest correctional centres. Additionally, 263 deserving inmates were released under the Governor’s prerogative of mercy, while 348 restorative justice cases were received, with agreements reached in 192. The Attorney General noted that although the Community Service Unit had faced setbacks in previous years, it has now been fully revitalised. The Head Office has been renovated with improved facilities, pioneer project officers have been absorbed into the Civil Service, and new buses, tools and safety equipment have been provided for effective operations. As a result of these interventions, 4,800 offenders have successfully carried out community service sentences in Lagos State over the last two years. Pedro revealed that the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS), a databank automating criminal case records, now contains 78,982 cases, including 25,822 recorded between September 2023 and September 2025. This, he said, strengthens transparency and long-term criminal justice planning. On fiscal governance, Pedro announced that the establishment of Revenue Courts and a dedicated Revenue Recovery Unit has already yielded impressive results. He cited one notable bank that paid ₦1.5 billion in outstanding taxes following enforcement proceedings, with others now making arrangements to settle their liabilities. In safeguarding property rights, he confirmed that in the last two years, he signed 738 Deemed Grants and 810 Regularisation files, while the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers treated 982 petitions, enforcing sanctions against offenders in 124 confirmed cases of land grabbing. On the fight against human trafficking, the Attorney General reported that the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (LASTAHT), which had been dormant since 2020, has been revitalised and recently facilitated the safe repatriation of seven Nigerian victims trafficked to Ghana. He stressed that staff welfare and motivation have been deliberately prioritised, with junior staff benefiting from their first retreat in a decade, senior management commencing a three-day retreat, and staff enjoying robe and litigation allowances, new buses, and functional elevators. For the first time, 10 flats have been secured as staff quarters for Counsel, reducing the accommodation burden on legal officers. Concluding his address, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, described the Ministry of Justice under his leadership as not just the custodian of the rule of law but a driver of social change and inclusive development. He expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support, trust, and confidence in granting him the opportunity to serve Lagos State as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. Delivering his welcome address earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, described the occasion as a moment of pride for the entire Ministry. He noted that the second-year anniversary of the Hon. Attorney General provided an opportunity to reflect on the Ministry’s steady progress in deepening access to justice, strengthening fiscal governance, and safeguarding the rights of citizens. Oyenuga assured that the Ministry will continue to support the Attorney General’s vision and uphold the standard of excellence that has made the Lagos State Ministry of Justice a model in Nigeria’s Justice Sector.