RJC – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS MOJ: RJC, CSC SECURE COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCE FOR OFFENDERS

Posted on September 8, 2025

In line with its reform agenda and commitment to decongesting correctional facilities across the State, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, through its Restorative Justice Centre (RJC), in collaboration with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre, has secured a community service sentence for two bakery workers alleged to have stolen from their employer. The workers were accused of stealing five (5) loaves of bread, with their employer insisting they must be prosecuted in court. However, under the Ministry’s innovative sifting process at the Magistrate Courts, a District Prosecutor reviewed the matter and referred both parties to the Restorative Justice Centre instead of filing charges. Following a successful mediation at the centre, the parties reached an agreement whereby the offenders would serve two weeks of community service, which commenced immediately. This resolution highlights the Ministry’s proactive approach to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, while demonstrating the effectiveness of restorative justice in resolving minor offences.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WEEK 2022.LAGOS SENSITIZES CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FOR BOYS ON VICTIM OFFENDER MEDIATION

Posted on November 25, 2022

As part of efforts to promote peaceful communities ,transforming the Criminal justice system and prevent re-offending,the Lagos State Restorative Justice Center on Thursday expanded its sensitization campaign to the Lagos Correctional Centre for Boys ,Oregun,Lagos in Commemoration of the Lagos Restorative Justice week 2022. Speaking during visit,the Coordinator, RJC, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, stated that the establishment of the restorative justice centre is to serve as an alternative dispute resolution and as a tool for decongesting the less serious case in the court system. “Restorative justice is a form of alternative dispute resolution and we are determined to deploy it as a tool for decongesting as many of the less serious cases in the dockets of the court system and invariably the overcrowded correctional centres”. The Coordinator further stated that during the Victim Offender mediation(VOM),the victim and offender are brought together to repair the harm while the offender is reintegrated back to the society to achieve a sense of healing for both parties . “Restorative Justice seeks to provide opportunities for victims, offenders, and communities affected by a crime to communicate (directly or indirectly) about the causes, circumstances, and impact of that crime, and to address their related needs.” Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi hereby reiterated the State Government’s resolve to ensure an effective dispensation of justice whereby people can walk into the centre to make enquiries as well as file complaints She added that the Centre is equipped with excellent and exceptional facilitators to ensure transparency and due process in accordance with the Criminal Justice system of the State The Coordinator and Principal of the Special Correctional Home for Boys, Mr. Iyapo, expressed his profound and heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the correctional facility to the State Government, Ministry of Justice and the RJ Steering Committee who have spared time out of their busy schedule to enlighten the boys on the benefits of restorative justice, its importance and workability.He however assured the committee members of the commitment of the school in further educating the boys and parents alike. Other Attendees includes members of the Restorative Justice Steering Committee- Director CMC, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, State Counsel, Mrs.Soewu and lawyers. The Year 2022 Rjc week is themed “Self Accountability:Aligning your actions with your values. It should be recalled that the Restorative justice week is held every November to create awareness about the benefits of RJ for the victim,offender,communities and stakeholders.

ACJMC to Understudy Lagos Restorative Justice System

Posted on October 26, 2022

The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), Federal, recently visited the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to understudy the Lagos Restorative Justice System (RJC) at the State’s Secretariat, Alausa. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3day meeting,Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN ably represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey noted that the Lagos State Restorative Justice Programme is the brain-child of the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee aimed at improving the Criminal Justice delivery system by taking minor offences and misdemeanors off the dockets of the criminal courts. Onigbanjo added that a Restorative Justice Sterering Committee was set up in 2017 to organize trainings for volunteer restorative justice members and facilitators who will conduct victim/offender mediation and make appropriate recommendations as to how these cases will be resolved amicably. The Attorney General assured participants that the programme will take everyone through the Legal Framework of the Committee and the inter-relationship between the Police and the Office of the DPP in Restorative Justice Process. The Coordinator, Lagos Restorative Justice Centre, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi expressed gratitude to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary and the ACJMC team led by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulayman Dawodu for the success of the program and looked forward to the establishment of the Restorative Justice Centre in the FCT, Abuja.

MOJ Appoints Oluwafemi Adenike As Coordinator RJC

Posted on October 7, 2022

The Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Oluwafemi Adenike Olubunmi has been appointed as the Coordinator Restorative Justice Centre (RJC), Lagos State Ministry of Justice. A memo signed by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey on Tuesday, states that her appointment takes immediate effect.