Lagos State Ministry of Justice has held its annual ministerial briefing to commemorate the first year of the second term of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA
Lagos State Ministry of Justice, has over time, dedicated itself to ensuring an effective and efficient justice, promoting human rights and access to justice and providing quality legal advice and representation to other agencies of the government. It is also not in doubt that the state is blazing the trail for other state governments, including the Federal Government in justice administration.
The interest of the people of the state and government are protected through easy access to justice, law reforms and adherence to the rule of law.
Last week, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN) gave an account of his stewardship in the last one year to the people of the state at a Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Ikeja.
Judgment secured by the state
Pedro disclosed that the state government, through its agencies and departments, secured over 410 judgments from the various courts during the year under review.
Office of the Public Defender (OPD)
A break down of the judgments showed that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) secured over 320 judgments in various courts across the state and also approved 100 Plea Bargains in the last one year.
He said the OPD in addition tothis received a total of 4,272 petitions and 1,788 court cases (family, industrial, civil, and criminal court cases) across seven of its office locations, including six outstation offices, and OPD headquarters, or through the courts,” he disclosed.
The Attorney-General also revealed that the OPD handled 1,812 child-related cases, 316 domestic violence-related cases, and 29 rescue missions, adding that the agency further received a total of 1,988 cases via court and correctional centres (Criminal, Industrial, Civil, and Family related cases), out of which 448 had been successfully concluded, with the Office receiving the total sum of N59,326,549 on behalf of its clients and beneficiaries.
Public Prosecution (DPP)
Pedro disclosed that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the other hand obtained 40 judgments in courts and 11 Plea Bargains, with seven cases struck out and four others discharged in the last one year, adding that the directorate also received 377 files for legal advice, out of which it issued 229 advice, with 148 files pending.
The commissioner also said that 158 Plea Bargain applications were received by the Directorate, out of which 100 were approved, two declined and 56 pending.
Notable cases
He listed some of the notable cases handled by the DPP in public interest to include suite LD/20598C/2022- The state of Lagos Vs ASP Drambi Vandi charged with the offence of murder of a lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem. The incident occurred at Jubilee bridge, Ajah on December 25, 2022. ASP Vandi was pronounced guilty as charged before the court and was sentenced to death by hanging.
There was also the case of Osibanjo Oluwaseun, charge ID/21468C/23. The defendant was a state government staff bus driver accused of driving his bus in a reckless manner and colliding with a moving train on March 9, 2023 resulting in the death of some of his passengers. The prosecution has called some witnesses and more are expected to testify before closing its case.
There was also the coroner inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos alleged to have been beaten by some senior boys and forced to drink an unknown substance. On April 15, 2024, based on testimonies and evidences, the coroner concluded that the boy’s death was due to negligence on the part of the deceased parents and family doctor.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA)
Aside from securing 50 judgments, the Attorney-General revealed that the agency handled 4,641 adult domestic violence cases and 2,976 children cases, with 118 rape cases and rescued 64 people in the last one year, adding that the agency obtained over 50 judgments in courts, 36 restraining order, handled 652 social welfare cases, concluded mediation in 107 cases and reached over 800,000 people in the community through advocacy and sensitisation.
Landmark Judgment
One of the DSVA landmark judgment was that of the rape case involving Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels of I-Reign Church and Ministry, Lekki and some church members. The embattled bishop was arraigned on April, 2023 and was convicted on January 26, 2024. The cleric was sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja.
DSVA programmes
These include Kings and Queens Club in schools, Club mentorship, training of SGBV Desk Officers at Police Stations, the Hidden Crime Initiative, Special Healing and Therapy Session, Empowerment and Psychological Support services to survivors and perpetrators of SGBV among others.
Civil Litigation
In addition, Pedro said the Directorate of Civil Litigation responsible for representing the state in all civil matters involving the state government, its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the period under review, received a contingent liability in terms of Claims in Court to the tune of N1, 602, 430, 012, 517.71, explaining that this is in addition to the contingent liability in favour of the state government which has increased to N95, 644,801,659.71.
Directorate for Citizens’ Rights
The Attorney-General said that the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights in the period under review received 755 petitions on family matters, 131 petitions on employee/employer matters and 744 tenancy matters, out of which 539 (family matters), 80 (employee/employer) and 577 (tenancy matters) were resolved respectively.
The directorate also obtained two judgments in favour of the state government. During the period under review, the directorate collected a total sum of N7.3 million on behalf of complainants out of which N3 million was awarded by the court on behalf of a petitioner.
Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC)
He said the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) in the period under review received a total number of 35,655 matters for mediation, out of which 20,691 were treated and resolved, adding that 14,964 matters were undecided as a result of non-attendance of concerned parties at mediation sessions.
“Based on the agency’s guiding principles and core values that justice is delivered irrespective of status or socio-economic background, the agency received the sum of N183,721,134 on behalf of parties being the settlement of debt related matters,” he noted.
Special Offences (Mobile) Court
Pedro also disclosed that a total number of 10,266 offenders were arrested, arraigned and convicted for various minor offences by the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court, saying that the actions of the court had been able to reduce criminal activities of miscreant by charging them to court and ensuring custodial sentencing.
Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers
The Attorney-General added that the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers in the period under review received 582 petitions out of which 120 were concluded, saying that other notable achievements included 71 enforcement approvals and 33 inscription approvals.
He said to protect the right to possession and occupation of any property in Lagos State and guide against the use of force, the taskforce obtained nine judgments in favour of the state government, disclosing that there are currently 35 land grabbing cases in court.
Administrator-General and Public Trustee
The agency obtain letters of administration in respect of estates under its management, recover assets of the estate and settle justified claims against the estate of deceased persons. The agency reseal letter of administration where the deceased has properties located outside then state and manage same in the interest of the beneficiaries.
The agency also act as receivers or administrators during pendency of court cases to preserve estates from going into waste, verify and disburse death benefits to next of kin of civil servants who die in active service.
During the period under review, the office resolved 46 death benefit cases, received 245 petitions, 253 probate/court processes and has 74 existing court matters.
In addition, the office took over 604 estates via court orders, renovated 20 estates and obtained 32 letters of administration to ensure clarity, control and reduction in potential disputes among family members or other interested parties. The agency in addition received N250,887,419.78 as death and insurance benefits while it disbursed N186,668,00.49 to beneficiaries of estates while it received N4,306,781,253.47 from rent.
Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS)
Pedro further said during the period under review, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice spearheaded the expansion of the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), significantly enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal justice administration.
He explained that this initiative involved the integration of advanced technology to create a comprehensive and accessible database of criminal records, stating that key features included real-time data entry, improved case tracking, and seamless information sharing among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the judiciary.
“The scaling up of LCIS aims to reduce case backlogs, ensure accurate and timely access to criminal records, and foster greater transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. This strategic enhancement not only streamlines operations but also strengthens public trust and safety in Lagos. The LCIS has recorded a total of 62,117 cases/inmates between 2018 and May 9th, 2024,” he said.
