Lagos State Ministry of Justice is working to promote stronger cooperation among key stakeholders and institutions. Its key agencies met last week, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.
The departments and agencies under the Ministry of Justice converged in Lagos last week to chart a new course to improve justice delivery and economic development
The meeting which was to improve collaborations amongst ministries and agencies in the state, was themed: Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Justice Delivery, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Declaring the stakeholders meeting open, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the significance of the Ministry’s efforts in organising the programme, noting that the state government is dedicated to creating a more responsive, inclusive, and efficient justice system for the benefit of all Lagosians, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
He acknowledged the complexity of justice delivery, noting that the difference between African countries and other developed nations is the rule of law and its advancements in science and technology.
Hamzat stated that the rule of law is increasingly becoming a subset of technology and science, as both are transforming many lives, whether we embrace it or not.
He expressed concern about delays in justice, citing the prolonged case of a BRT driver accused of rape and murder, which has remained unresolved for over a year. He called on participants to critically review Lagos’ judicial processes and seek lasting solutions to these inefficiencies.
He also called for urgent reforms in land management laws to combat the growing threats posed by climate change, particularly in a coastal city like Lagos.
He stated that Lagos, a rapidly growing coastal megacity, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
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The combination of high population density, rapid urbanisation, and being situated along the coast makes the city prone to flooding, land erosion, and subsidence.
“The rising sea levels, along with the extreme weather patterns we are witnessing, place Lagos at significant risk of sinking in a few years if immediate action is not taken,” the Deputy Governor warned.
He stressed that the existing land management system must be overhauled to mitigate these risks and ensure the future sustainability of the state.
The Deputy Governor also highlighted that managing land effectively is a persistent challenge in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State.
“With a complex system of land ownership, traditional land rights, and bureaucratic processes, without proper regulation and reforms in land laws, we are not just risking environmental catastrophe but also exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities,” the Deputy Governor noted.
He, however, proposed that new land policies must take into account climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
This includes better planning to prevent overdevelopment in flood-prone areas, stricter regulations on construction near the coastline, and enhanced public awareness of the environmental consequences of unregulated land use.
Furthermore, the Deputy Governor called on all stakeholders, including environmental agencies, urban planners, and community leaders, to work together in addressing these issues.
He called for immediate action to reform land laws in a way that prioritises both environmental sustainability and the long-term security of the state’s coastal communities.
Speaking earlier, the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) expressed pleasure in hosting the event and underscored the importance of collaboration in the pursuit of justice.
The AG stressed that the stakeholders meeting was a continuation of the discussions held earlier this year at the Y2024 Lagos Justice Summit, where recommendations were made to strengthen cooperation, transparency, and coordination among stakeholders.
“The meeting will focus on several critical areas, starting with enhancing the co-ordination between law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice” Pedro stated.
He mentioned that one of the key areas of discussion is the growing number of cases involving the Lagos State Government that are currently pending in court.
“As of July 2024, over 6,000 cases are tied to the government, spanning issues such as land disputes, physical planning, housing, road transportation, environment, chieftaincy matters, breach of contract, employment, and fundamental human rights. The financial exposure of these cases is estimated to be N114.5 billion”, he noted.
He further stated that another session wiould focus on environmental and physical planning, with stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, LASEPA, and other related agencies, discussing ways to improve service delivery in environmental management and urban development”.
Proceeding to note that in the area of land administration, representatives from the Lands Bureau, NTDA, Office of the Surveyor General, and related agencies will rub minds to harmonise operations and address gaps in the enforcement of land-related laws.
Pedro emphasised the need for stronger enforcement strategies while ensuring that agency actions align with existing laws and are people-friendly.
While drawing attention to issues related to chieftaincy matters and local government administration, the Attorney-General noted that there will be discussions centered on the proliferation of chieftaincy titles and the involvement of traditional rulers in land transactions, as well as the increasing number of litigations surrounding these issues and finally.
He said the future of local government administration in Lagos State will be explored, with a focus on improving efficiency and reducing conflicts.
He also reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to maintaining the rule of law.
Pedro emphasised that delivering justice is not solely the responsibility of one institution, but rather, that it necessitates a collaborative effort that involves all legislative arms of government, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and the broader community.
He urged stakeholders to engage meaningfully and contribute to building a more responsive, inclusive, and efficient justice system in Lagos State.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption while ensuring that the rights of Lagosians are protected.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Acting Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, MOJ, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, extended his appreciation to all participants, acknowledging their dedication to justice delivery and governance.
In his remarks, Oyenuga emphasized the importance of collaboration among various sectors in ensuring a more effective and transparent justice system.
He commended the attendees for their commitment to the shared goal of improving justice delivery in Lagos State and fostering greater cooperation across ministries and agencies in the State.
Mr. Hameed Oyenuga concluded with an expression of optimism that the discussions and deliberations initiated during the stakeholder’s meeting would pave the way for meaningful progress in the days ahead.
The keynote speaker, Justice Cecilia Mojisola Olatoregun (rtd.) urged the law enforcement agencies and state prosecutors to come together and address the challenges facing the integrity of the officials by finding lasting solutions that would restore public confidence and justice for the people they serve.
Justice Olatoregun who spoke on the topic: “Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice: Enhancing Coordination Between Law Enforcement Agencies and Ministry of Justice, Particularly in Criminal Prosecution and Anti-Corruption Efforts,” said there are so many government agencies that were supposed to put check to criminal incidences in Lagos.
She lamented that there are still prevalent of crimes that abound in the state.
The Judge said corruption are part of the bane of dispensation of justice.
“Corruption, in particular, financial crime often regarded as white-collar crime is extremely dangerous to the fabric of the society despite its often understated perception in reality.
“We have all read in the newspapers about incidents of buildings collapsing, despite claims that they have the necessary structural permits, allegations of budget padding, the diversion of funds by public officials into personal coffers, and so on.
“To address these issues, stronger regulatory oversight and transparency are crucial. Regular audits of public projects, stricter enforcement of building codes, and real-time monitoring of funds allocation can help curb corruption and prevent negligence.
She said: “Our criminal justice system is a reflection of our society’s commitment to fairness, equity, and accountability. If we get it right, we can ensure that those who break the law are held accountable, victims receive justice, and public trust in our institutions is restored.
“Let us commit today to fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within our criminal justice system. By working together, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice can create a synergy that delivers timely, effective justice and upholds the rule of law for all Nigerians.”
Justice Olatoregun highlighted some of the challenges that may be faced by law enforcement agencies and officers from the Ministry of Justice during prosecution which include; Fragmentation and duplication of efforts, Inadequate training of stakeholders, Inadequate resources and inaccessibility to technology and Organisational structure of the law enforcement agencies.”
She also suggested methods for achieving synergy and collaboration in criminal prosecution and anti-corruption efforts.
According to her, adopting an integrated approach from investigation to prosecution, Capacity building and training, accountability for outcomes, Investigation infrastructure, digitalisation and technology and restoring the public’s confidence will go a long way to in addressing the problems and challenges.
Notable attendees include; Chairman LASPAC, Hon. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (Rtd); Head Legal EFCC, Lagos, Aso Larrys; Director Legal ICPC, Lagos, Henry Emore, Controller of Nigeria Correctional Service, Lagos State Command ably represented by ACC. Rotimi Oladokun, Magistrates, Directors and Counsel in the Lagos Ministry of Justice.