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Tag: IGP

Ekwueme, others hail IGP on community policing

Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnamemeka Achebe, yesterday hailed Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for establishing community policing across the country.

The frontline Anambra sons spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the state’s Eminent Persons Forum (EPM), which has the right to arrest suspected criminals in any part of the state.

The trio hailed Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris for establishing community policing.

They noted that it would help to flush out criminality from the society.

The event, which took place at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre in Awka, the state capital, was attended by traditional rulers, presidents-general of 177 communities in Anambra State, among others.

Inaugurating the forum, Governor Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, was assisted by Police Commissioner Sam Okaula.

Addressing reporters after the inauguration, Dr Ekwueme noted that with the arrangement, many communities would be safe from criminality.

The former vice president said though the state had been crime-free, the establishment of the EPM would further boost security.

He said: “With the people of communities, the work of the police will no longer be cumbersome. As such, bad eggs in any community will be fished out. This is a laudable programme in our society.

“This time, it’s being configured in such a way that work of crime prevention is not being left alone for the police. It has been a long muted idea.”

Igwe Achebe urged the divisional police officers (DPOs) to tighten security in their areas, adding that the number of rapes was alarming in some communities.

The monarch, who was represented by the Ajie of Onitsha, Chief B. O. Adibua, said community policing could solve security challenges across the country.

He said the programme had been experimented before without success, adding that the time had come to help states and Federal governments to tackle security challenges in the land.

Okaula praised Obiano for what he called his passionate commitment to security, safety, law and order and for providing the platform for security agencies in the state.

The police chief described Anambra as the safest state in the country, adding that with the inauguration of the forum, the state would continue to witness peace and for its development.

He said: “May I use this opportunity to make a clarion call to all and remind you that crime and criminality thrive only where good people decide to keep mute.

“Crime will continue to soar to high heavens where the public continues to see the police as its enemy. Criminals would continue to rape justice with impunity if you refuse to pass useful information to the police.” Okaula said.

Obiano said the security of lives and property was key to development of any state or country.

He said community policing was a process that must continue, adding that his administration was ready to work with the police and other security agencies to make Anambra a safer place for its residents.

August 30, 2016
IGP orders lie-detector test for police applicants

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has directed that the 10,000 personnel to be recruited into the Police undergo a compulsory polygraph test.

The police leadership explained that the polygraph test (lie-detector test) would ensure that candidates were not of questionable characters.

The IGP, who gave the directive while reviewing the recruitment exercise, expressed satisfaction at the progress in recruiting the 10,000 personnel.

He said candidates who fail to undergo the test won’t be admitted for training at the Police academy and colleges.

Force spokesman Don Awunah, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said: “The Police will subject successful candidates in the recruitment exercise to compulsory polygraph test (lie-detector test).

“This test will be in addition to the background check, biometrics, medical, physical examination, aptitude, oral and psychological tests.

“The Police will also conduct a thorough verification of documents submitted by prospective candidates and no candidate will be admitted for training at the Police academy and colleges without undergoing these tests.

On the aim of the test, he said: “The Polygraph test is aimed at ensuring that candidates are not of questionable characters and their behaviour conform to standard rules of behaviour expected of an officer to be recruited into the Force”.

The Police chief, however, promised that Academy and other training colleges across the country will be equipped for the tests.

He added that the leadership would ensure that the recruitment exercise conform to acceptable standards necessary for an ideal police officer the people deserve.

August 24, 2016
Dogara, others using Police to monitor, harass me – Jubrin

….. writes IGP

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and three Principal members accused of padding the budget with N40 billion are using Police to harass, monitor and intimidate, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmunin Jibrin, his lawyers have said.

A press release in Abuja Friday by Jibrin’s lawyers titled: “Attempt to blackmail and harass our client Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin with a view to obstruct justice,” said its attention has been drawn to “subterranean and clandestine efforts” of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Whip Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, and House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor in such direction.

“The above quartet have resorted to blackmail our Client into silence and to further harass his person and family using the instrument of the obstructive coercion and perversion of due process by deploying, albeit illegally some elements of the Nigeria Police.

“You will recall that our Client is in dispute with thesaid quartet over his refusal and inability to admit into the National Budget of 2016, the sum of about 30 Billion Naira at the behest of these quartet and also his refusal to cover up the decision of Speaker Dogara and others’ unilateral decision to distribute to themselves 40 Billion Naira out of the 100 Billion Naira allocated to the entire National Assembly in addition to what our Client considers as wasteful projects of over 20 Billion Naira to their (quartet) various constituencies.

“We now have it on good authority that these quartet acting in concert are at the moment using some elements within the police to monitor, harass, intimidate and hound our client into an unwarranted detention with the purpose of inhibiting his right to move freely and to express himself as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The purpose of their antics is to upturn the narrative and paint our client as the black sheep in the flock, and cleverly presenting themselves as transparent angels.

“Accordingly, we have made appropriate representations to the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies in the Country drawing their attention to this unwarranted and ill-intentioned steps taken by these quartet and not to allow themselves (security agencies) to be used to execute the personal objectives of these quartet; more so appropriate legal action has been taken by our client, as a law abiding citizen, to protect his fundamental rights as guaranteed by our laws.

“Finally, we hasten to advise Speaker Dogara and the 3 other principal officers mentioned here not to descend to the narrow aim of dragging the institution of the House of Representatives into their personal fight and to note that by virtue of the institution he leads and as a lawyer, he should act within the confines of the Rule of Law and allow the House of Representatives to institute a special investigation into this matter where our Client will have the opportunity earlier denied him by the quartet to testify and provide evidence against them because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

July 22, 2016
IGP orders audit of police investments, subsidiaries

Acting Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has appointed two firms to audit police investments and subsidiaries.

The audit is aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the financial position, assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries, among others.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Force Spokesperson, Don Awunah, the police chief explained that the exercise would be completed in six weeks and to be conducted by Messers Nsebot William & Co. and Gbenga Abimbola & Co.

Idris said the audit was in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds. He added that fighting corruption is part of his vision for the Police and it is in tandem with the cardinal point of the administration.

The investment bodies and subsidiaries to be audited are: “Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Pensions, NPF Mortgage Bank, NPF Corporative Ltd, NPF HMO, NPF Insurance, and NPF Property Development Company.

“The Force management team has appointed Messrs Nsebot William & Co. and Gbenga Abimbola & Co. to carry out the special assignment to be completed in six weeks,” the statement said.

The police boss further directed the board and management of the investment bodies and subsidiaries to cooperate with the firms assigned to their respective outfit by allowing them access to ensure a smooth and successful audit exercise.

The principal partners of the audit firms, Friday Williams and Gbenga Abimbola, pledged their readiness to accomplish the job satisfactorily within the stipulated time.

Also yesterday, Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC) Mr Mike Okiro assured the acting inspector-general of Police of the commission’s support.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, head of the commission’s Press and Public Relations.

Okiro was speaking when Idris led members of the management of the Nigeria Police Force on a visit to the commission.

He advised the team to avoid infighting and work for the good of the police and the nation.

“Work like a team and I can assure you that the commission will give you the required support to succeed.

“We have to work together to create the necessary impact since we have roles to play in the internal security chain to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.”

He advised that they obey court orders since the police is not above the law.

The chairman urged Idris to maintain the existing relationship between the commission and the police in the interest of both parties and the nation.

He called for the inclusion of the commission’s Act in the curriculum of the police colleges to enable the rank and file and some senior officers to know about it.

Idris had solicited the support and cooperation of the commission.

He noted that the police and the commission had distinct constitutional roles and responsibilities toward protecting life and property and maintaining peace and order.

Idris acknowledged the critical role of the commission in ensuring checks and balances in the work of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said he would continue to respect the commission, adding that for the police to progress, it needs the support and cooperation of the commission.

July 15, 2016
Senate Orders forgery: Judge refuses to stop IGP, AGP on Saraki, others’ prosecution

•Says charge against them is ‘abuse of court process’
•Faults AGF’s role

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has refused an ex-parte motion for injunction to restrain the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from proceedings with the charge filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki and three others over the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2011 based on the police report issued on the case.

The judge, however, described as ‘an abuse of court process’ the decision of the AGF to file the charge marked CR/219/2016 during the pendency of a suit filed by a member of the Senate, Gilbert Emeka Nnaji, challenging the competence of the police report.

Justice Kolawole queried the motive of the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who he noted had participated in the Nnaji case before his appointment as the AGF.

He wondered why Malami was in ‘desperate haste’ to proceed with the charge when he was aware of a suit challenging the report on which the charge was based.

The judge, in a ruling on June 28 on the motion ex-parte by a Gilbert Nnaji, a Senator, said, having found that the filing of the charge amounted to an abuse of court process, he would have proceeded to dismiss it, but because the charge is pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a coordinate jurisdiction with his court.

A copy of the certified true copy (CTC) of the ruling was sighted in Abuja yesterday.

Nnaji had filed the substantive suit on July 23, 2015 on learning that the police was about to publish its investigation report on the forgery reported to it through a petition by Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi of the Unity Forum.

On July 27, 2015, the judge refused the plaintiff ex-parte prayer for an order directing parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit, but instead directed the 1st defendant – IGP- (because a substantive AGF was yet to be appointed) to show cause why such order should not be granted and adjourned to August 4, 2015.

On the next date, the IGP and the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Taiwo Abidogun (who represented the AGF), did not show cause as ordered by the court, but filed a notice of objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

Hunkuyi, represented by a team of lawyers including Mamman Osuman (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN) and Abubakar Malami (SAN), applied to be joined as party to the suit.

Hunkuyi’s motion for was later struck out when his lawyers did not attend court to move it.

While the substantive case by Nnaji and the notices of objection by IGP and AGF were pending, Malami was appointed AGF, shortly after which Justice Kolawole fixed hearing of the suit and all pending objections for July 6, 2016 at 11.45am.

Before the hearing date fixed by Justice Kolawole, the office of the AGF filed a charge against Saraki and three others before the High Court of the FCT based on the police investigation report, which formed the subject of the suit before Justice Kolawole.

To stop the arraignment of Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and two others named in the charge, Nnaji returned to the court with the ex-parte motion for restraining orders against the IGP and AGF.

The motion was heard on June 27 by Justice Kolawole, who fixed June 28, for ruling. Saraki and others were also arraigned before the High Court of the FCT on the charge filed by the AGF June 27.

In his ruling on June 28 Justice Kolawole faulted the decision of the AGF to proceed to file a charge based on the police report when the suit challenging the report was still pending.

He held that although as the AGF, he has the constitutional powers to institute and discontinue criminal proceedings on behalf of the federal government, he must exercise such powers in public interest.

Justice Kolawole noted that, although the charge was filed by a lawyer in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the official acted as an agent of the AGF, who was listed as one of the leading senior lawyers who filed an application for joinder on behalf of Hunkuyi, who until his (Malami’s) appointment, was his client.

“Having regard to the peculiar facts which I have analysed, the said criminal charge dated 10th June 2016, attached as Exhibit B to the plaintiff’s motion ex-parte dated 23rd June 2016, given the course of these proceedings as I had, in detail, highlighted, can only be seen a one that constitutes an abuse of court legal process to use the very words in Section 174(3) of the Constitution.

“In all these facts and issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in my thoughts is why this desperate haste to prefer the criminal indictments in Exhibit B – the investigation of which is at the heart of this suit and of the parallel suit in Exhibit 2, and the indictments, by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, has by consent of both the plaintiff counsel and defendants counsel, been scheduled for 6th July 2016 for hearing.

He, however, refused that applicant’s request to quash the police report on the grounds that the report was not attached to the motion and that it was not placed before the court.

Justice Kolawole also refused to void the charge before the FCT High Court on the grounds that the charge was before another court of equal jurisdiction.

The judge also said: “In terms of the restraining orders which the plaintiff seeks in the prayer one of his motion ex-parte, I am unable to grant the prayers because the plaintiff has not been able to overcome the issue of his locus standing, which i had raised at the proceedings of 27 July 2015.

“It is not sufficient, when the Supreme Court’s decision in Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of Nigeria & another (1981) 5 SC 112 is applied, for the plaintiff, who has not shown that he is one of the defendants listed in the criminal charge attached as Exhibit B to this motion ex-parte, to be conferred, in the context of the provision of Section 6(6)(b) of the Constitution 999 (as amended) with the cloak of an ‘aggrieved’ person who ought to be granted access to ventilate his grievance and to seek the interim orders in his motion ex-parte,” Justice Kolawole said.

July 3, 2016
Police Committe pledges to support IGP Idris

The Police Assistance Committee (PAC) has welcomed the newly appointed Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, pledging to continue its over two decades’ existing working relationship with the police force in the area of information dissemination and intelligence gathering during his tenure.

The organization commended the new initiative of the police chief to establish cooperation centres to promote synergy and better working relationship between the police and other security agencies for prompt response to major crises within 24/7 in addressing critical security challenges now prevalent in the country.

In a statement signed by its Director General, Dr. Martins John Oni, the PAC expressed support for the IGP’s new direction to be guided by international core values in running the Nigeria Police Force and boosting the investigative capacity of the force in line with global practices, stressing that the organization would key into this initiative by deploying its members to keep assisting the Police and other security agencies in the area of intelligence gathering and information dissemination.

The PAC implored the new IGP to ensure that under his watch, officers and men of the Police Force open a proper channel of communication and cooperation with members of the public, including PAC members for quick access to information dissemination.

July 2, 2016
Kidnapping: IGP deploys special team in Kogi

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate deployment of a Special Strike Force to Kogi State to combat kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

Idris explained that the deployment of the special team will end the suffering experienced by innocent people in the hand of criminals.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Force Spokesperson, Don Awunah.

The statement reads: “The deployment of the Special Strike Force becomes imperative as the Nigeria Police Force can no longer watch innocent citizens suffer in the hands of dreaded criminals rampaging within Kogi State and its environs.

“With the presence of the Strike Force, Kogi and its environs will enjoy peace and tranquillity.”

The IG advised the officers not to become demi-gods, but servants to the people, even as he urged the public to avail the team the desired cooperation and assistance.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate deployment of a Special Strike Force to Kogi State to combat kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

Idris explained that the deployment of the special team will end the suffering experienced by innocent people in the hand of criminals.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Force Spokesperson, Don Awunah.

The statement reads: “The deployment of the Special Strike Force becomes imperative as the Nigeria Police Force can no longer watch innocent citizens suffer in the hands of dreaded criminals rampaging within Kogi State and its environs.

“With the presence of the Strike Force, Kogi and its environs will enjoy peace and tranquillity.”

The IG advised the officers not to become demi-gods, but servants to the people, even as he urged the public to avail the team the desired cooperation and assistance.

June 29, 2016
Why I retained Arase as IGP – Buhari

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari Thursday explained why he decided to retain outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase when he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

The President who spoke at the public presentation of a publication “Cascade of Change: A Decade Of Liberal Thoughts” authored by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Arase’s dossier and his intellectual capacity in the field of operations was enough to convince him to allow the former IGP to finish his tenure and retire gracefully from the Police Force.

Buhari who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted Arase as saying that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner in his honour at the Abuja State House on Monday, June 20.

According to him, the recent practice has been to be sacked on the pages of Newspapers.

But quoting President Buhari on why he retained Arase till the end of his tenure, Adesina said: “When it was the turn of the President to speak, he explained why he kept Arase as IGP.

“He said, he saw the quality of his mind and he saw the quality of things, he had written. You know Arase has many publications to his credit and he also saw his capacity as an operation person and he decided to keep him till his tenure expired”.

Adesina said the President appreciates sound mind and intellect, adding that Buhari said Arase expressed fears that he expected that he would be sacked before the end of his tenure.

His words: “While he (Arase) was speaking at the dinner, he told the President that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner, because, what we know in Nigeria is that, you are sacked on pages of newspapers.

“Arase, also had the fear that, since, he was inherited by Buhari’s administration, he was not sure that he would be retained; so every day, he had the trepidation that he would hear that he had been removed.”

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said his administration has succeeded in laying a strong foundation that would propel the State to emerge as a globally competitive City-State, adding that the next line of action was to consolidate on the gains made so far to deliver on first class infrastructure and economic growth.

He said the State has the privilege of housing the largest collection of media houses in Nigeria, saying it was an indicator to the fact that every journalist, editor, columnist and blogger has a role to play in the development of the State.

Ambode while commending the author of the book said it would no doubt go a long way to enhance knowledge as well as shed more light on issues of public discourse and enrich policy design and implementation process.

He said Mr. Ayorinde’s contributions and participation as the arrowhead of the media and strategy team during his gubernatorial campaign was instructive to what the State Government could achieve if members of the team are on the same page.

He urged Nigerians to enrich their personal libraries with the book, just as he called on spirited individuals and corporate organisations to purchase copies and endow the libraries of tertiary institutions in the State for the benefit of the students who are the future of our society.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba said in the last one year, Governor Ambode has silently embarked on massive transformation of the State.

He also commended the swiftness in which the Governor attends to issue of infrastructural renewal, saying many testimonies abound that Governor Ambode is a silent achiever, adding that such was what governance should be all about.

On his part, a public commentator and development expert, Professor Pat Utomi recalled the early days of Governor Ambode in office when he was criticized by many as lacking the capacity to lead the state, adding that his response then was “you got to think, plan and act,” adding that he was happy that the Governor has proved him right.

In her goodwill message, former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola said she was proud that Lagos has always been a centre of excellence producing people of excellence.

She said: “I have never met the Governor and I have never had any discussion with him but from what he has been doing so far, it was clear that he was prepared for the job and he has been moving from step to step.

“I have always wondered how Lagos survived when the Local Government allocation of the state was withheld by the Federal Government. I could not understand it and it was said that Governor Ambode successfully managed the account of the state at that time and so I want to commend them for the good works they are doing and urge them to continue.”

The public presentation of the book was also witnessed by dignitaries including the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu 1, former deputy governors of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro who represented Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Princess Sarah Sosan, representatives of Oyo and Osun State Governors, as well as the crème-de-la crème of various national dailies, including Chairman Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Editor, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, among others.

June 23, 2016
Why police cordorned off PDP’s office, by Arase

Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase has explained that he directed police deployment to secure the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Secretariat and protect the workers till the threat to internal security arising from the intra-party crisis is resolved.

Arase said this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by Olabisi Kolawole, an acting Commissioner of Police, who is the Force Public Relations Officer.

The statement said the directive followed intelligence reports that some aggrieved factional leaders and members of PDP had perfected plans to engage thugs to threaten public peace and security in Abuja.

It said the threat followed the on-going intra-party leadership crisis in the party and fallout of the political engagements of the party.

The statement said the plan of the brains behind the development was to infiltrate Abuja and attack the national headquarters of PDP with intent to forcibly occupy the facility.

“Towards perfecting this criminality, credible police sources confirm that the actors will mobilise into Abuja with effect from May 23 to march through major streets in Abuja before proceeding to the PDP Secretariat to manifest their intention,” it said.

The statement added that the police action was a proactive initiative being emplaced in furtherance to its statutory mandate to prevent breakdown of law and order.

It warned all actors in the crisis and their loyalists to refrain from any act that might threaten public order as the police would deal promptly, firmly and decisively with such persons or group.

The PDP held parallel conventions in Port Harcourt and Abuja at the weekend.

May 24, 2016
Lagos requests IGP to unravel killers of Disu

Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem has given a record of his achievements within the last one year in office at a media briefing as part of the activities marking the one year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. ADEBISI ONANUGA and MIRIAM EKENE-OKORO report.

Stakeholders in the justice sector gathered in Lagos last week to receive the report on the activities of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in office as part of the programmes to mark the one year in office of Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

The programme, which held at Bagauda Kalto Press Centre, Alausa Secretariat, provided opportunity for the Attorney-General to explain why no one has been held for the killing of the late Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Tajudeen Disu, which occurred in October, last year.

Kazeem disclosed that the state government has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP)ý, Solomon Arase to take over the investigations into the killing of the late Disu.

The request, according to him, was contained in the government White Paper and part of the recommendations of the five-man Tribunal of Inquiry headed by Justice Olasuyi Olateru-Olagbegi (rtd.). The tribunal looked into the cause of the October 12, 2015 civil disturbances during which Disu, who was on a peace mission in the area, was shot dead. He said the IGP is expected to order investigations and unravel the killers of Disu.

The Attorney-General, who hinged the success of Governor Ambode in office within the year on law reforms, law and order, among other legislative initiatives, announced the formation of a Special Task Force, under the Prohibition of Land Grabbers Law, to curb land grabbing activities, protect investors and maintain law and order in the state.

He disclosed that the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) established to encourage Lagosians’ embrace of mediation as opposed to litigation, recovered N783,310,670 on behalf of parties, meditated on 21,941 cases and resolved 20,994 out of 36,105 matters referred to it within the last one year.

Kazeem disclosed that the Mobile Courts, recently established by state government, has successfully prosecuted 1,107 violators of traffic and environmental law offenders within three months of operation. He said the courts, which were established as Special Offences Court, are to facilitate prompt and immediate trial of traffic and environmental offenders and are vested with powers to sit at any convenient place close to the scene of the offence being tried by it.

He said the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) also facilitated the collection of N98 million as compensation on behalf of complainants it attended to in the last one year.

According to him, the OPD handled 5,322 matters on behalf of indigent Lagosisians and represented them in 2,467 cases in various courts.

He said the Directorate for Citizýens Rights successfully treated 1,965 human rights cases and recovered N16,248,400 on behalf of numerous complainants.

In line with its resolve to fight crime, he said the state government has commenced the process of establishing a state owned DNA Forensic Laboratory, adding that when completed, it will not only resolve crime matters, but health issues.

Kazeem, who stated that the state has always taken the lead in legislation and law reform initiatives, reiterated government’s readiness to continue to ensure that every citizens of Lagos State has access to justice.

He also stressed that government will continue to sustain working partnership with stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure that the state remains a haven of safety and security for every resident

He said the executive arm of government’s legal draftsmen and the Ministry of Justice have actively participated and cooperated with the state House of Assembly in amending existing laws and enacting news ones adding that they have all been assented to by the Governor.

“The landmark achievement of the Ministry of Justice within the past one year are indicative of the people-oriented theme of the governor’s agenda, which include the establishment of mobile courts, access to justice, fight against domestic and sexual violence as enactment of laws that provided the springboard for improving and promoting socio-economic activities,” Kazeem said.

“In the past one year, our Ministry has maintained the tradition of keeping our dear state in the vanguard of the Rule of Law, Constitutionalism and Good governance,” he said.

May 24, 2016