World Human Rights Day – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

LAGOS CELEBRATES WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Posted on December 12, 2025

…Governor Approves Release of 91 Inmates‎‎In commemoration of the 2025 World Human Rights Day,the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved the release of 91 inmates as part of the State Government’s commitment to the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights.‎‎The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, made this announcement during a press briefing on Wednesday, December 10, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in advancing the promotion and protection of human rights.‎‎In his address, the Attorney-General noted that every December 10, the global community reflects on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)—a foundational document that continues to guide democratic societies in entrenching the rule of law.‎‎He explained that this year’s theme, “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” serves as a timely reminder that fundamental rights are not privileges reserved for a few, but essential entitlements necessary for the safety, dignity, and well-being of every individual.‎‎Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Mr. Pedro recalled the nation’s transition from prolonged military rule in 1999—a period marked by suspended constitutional rights, restricted access to justice, arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, suppression of free speech, and weakened democratic institutions. He added that this transition led to the establishment of the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights (DCR) by the Lagos State Government.‎‎According to the Commissioner, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights has become a key pillar of the Lagos State justice system and now handles a broad range of matters—including tenancy disputes, children’s rights, unlawful detention, family issues, workplace grievances, debtor–creditor cases, and the protection of persons living with HIV—resolving most through mediation.‎‎“In the past year, the Directorate received about 1,950 petitions, mediated 1,200 cases, and is currently handling 50 fundamental rights suits involving police misconduct, unlawful detention, property disputes, and parental access,” he added.‎‎In furtherance of the State Government’s amnesty initiative to mark the 2025 Human Rights Day, the Commissioner announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu, acting on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, has exercised his power of clemency for the release of convicts who have served more than 75% of their sentences in correctional facilities.‎A total of 91 inmates will benefit from the gesture: 80 are to be released immediately,6 by January 31, 2026,3 by February 28, 2026,1 by March 31, 2026, and 1 by April 30, 2026.‎‎He added that two convicts on death row have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.‎‎Mr. Pedro expressed appreciation to the Governor for his unwavering support for the justice system, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights in Lagos State. He also urged residents to obey laws and regulations and to collaborate with the Government in building a just, peaceful, and inclusive society.

LAGOS STATE Ministry of Justice and the Directorate for Citizens Rights Celebrate WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2024

Posted on December 10, 2024

“Human rights are under assault.Tens of millions of people are mired in poverty, hunger, poor health and education systems that have not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic……….Global inequalities are running rampant ; Conflicts are intensifying whilst International law is wilfully ignored.Authoritarianism is on the march, civic space is shrinking.” International Human Rights Day is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of Every Human Human rights play a critical role as a preventive, protective and transformative force in addressing people’s greatest concerns. Just as the Nigerian Human Rights Commission is committed to Enforcing F H R in the Nation, the Directorate for Citizens Rights is the Pioneer Directorate designed to address this across the stateFor more than A Decade The Directorate through Mediation, has intervened in As the WORLD Celebrates HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2024, Directorate for Citizens Rights is Re-iterating the need to be more informed about their Rights as Aggressive Campaigns are on-going to Sensitize the General Public and Students in Primary and Secondary Schools in Lagos State on how to Enforce Them Happy Celebration……

Press Release: LASG Commemorates 2023 World Human Rights Day

Posted on December 16, 2023

Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of the Fundamental Human Rights and general well being of it’s citizens. The Lagos State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje ably represented by Director Civil Litigations, Mrs. Yemisi Ogunlola, recently disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2023 World Human Rights Day, Themed: “CONSOLIDATING & SUSTAINING HUMAN RIGHTS CULTURE INTO THE FUTURE” at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industries LCCI, Ikeja, Lagos. According to the Solicitor General, human rights is an indispensable way to make our life peaceful and worth living. Every person is entitled to some rights that are given to them for just being a part of this world irrespective of their race, colour, gender and societal status. “It is crucial to know that Rights are what make society tolerable and sympathetic of each other’s practices and beliefs”, she said. Furthermore, Mrs. Shitta-Bey-Jeje charged School Authorities and Guardians to protect their wards and direct them towards a promising future, emphasising that the State will continue to ensure that through seminars, trainings, drama presentations and school debates across the State, it will continue to bring awareness to the importance of knowing your right as a citizen, how these rights can be protected and how infractions are can be addressed. Also speaking from the Office of Education and Quality Assurance, Mr. Kamorudeen Amusan noted that children have rights and no child should be treated unfairly for any reason. “Children and young people have the same general human rights as adults and also specific rights that recognize their special needs. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights” Mr. Kamorudeen Amusan stressed that in a protective environment where children’s rights are respected, the world’s most vulnerable children can flourish and reach their highest potential. He encouraged participants to pay attention to their surroundings at all times while ensuring that children’s rights and safety will continue to be a priority in this present administration. The Director for Directorate of Citizens Right, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, expressed gratitude towards the stakeholders and students for supporting the government on its journey to protect the rights of citizens across the State, while imploring them to continue being good citizens and ambassadors of the Human Rights movement. Oshinusi therefore urged students and participants at the program to report any form of abuse or violations to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Directorates for Citizens Rights even if it involves family, friends or loved ones. Delivering the vote of thanks, Deputy Director, Directorate of Citizens Right, Mr. Ishola, commended the State Government and the Lagos State Ministry of Justice for their unwavering support towards the safety of children in the State, ensuring that the State Government will continue to unfold initiatives and intervention programmes that will promote the Child Rights’ Protection Law.

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS CELEBRATES WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.

Posted on January 19, 2023

Lagos State Government has said that it will not relent in its effort to protect human dignity, promote freedom and ensure justice for all in the State. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey made this declaration on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the World Human Rights Day 2022, organized by the State Directorate for Citizens Rights under the Ministry of Justice, themed: “Dignity, Freedom and Justice For All” held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Secretariat. In her welcome address, Shitta-Bey noted that the event couldn’t hold in December 2022, due to early vacation of schools, adding that the Ministry of Justice has continued to sensitize the public about their fundamental human rights through its various agencies. “The Lagos State Government has invariably ensured that through seminars, trainings, drama presentations and school debates across the State, it will continue to bring awareness to the importance of knowing your right as a citizen, how these rights can be protected and how infractions are addressed.” “Furthermore, the goal that every human being should have full enjoyment of their human rights implies that nobody should suffer violations of those rights. The prevention of human rights violations is therefore a key part of the State Government’s effort to protect and promote human rights for all”. she said. The Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court, Mr. T.A Elias, during his presentation said that all children, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances may be, have the right to be protected, nurtured and free from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation. “The Judiciary collaborates with relevant stakeholders across the State to safeguard the right of the Lagos Child while ensuring the prevention of a breach of the Child’s Rights Law and any person (s) found to have violated any of these rights will be prosecuted accordingly.” The Director for Directorate of Citizens Right, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, expressed gratitude towards the stakeholders and students for supporting the government on its journey to protect the rights of citizens across the State, while imploring them to continue being good citizens and ambassadors of the Human Rights movement. Oshinusi therefore urged the students and participants at the program to report any form of human rights abuse to the Ministry of Justice, Directorates for Citizens Rights even if it involves family, friends or loved ones..