The Lagos State Ministry of Justice is on a mission to drive and implement policies and programmes that would give residents of Lagos state greater access to justice through what it describes as its dynamic law reform programmes. In this interview with BusinessDay Law Editor, THEODORA KIO-LAWSON, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, MOYOSORE ONIGBANJO, SAN speaks about administering justice in one Nigeria’s most populous states, legislative reforms, and protecting the rights of citizens.
EXCERPTS…
- Please tell us about the agenda of this administration.
Our focus is on maintaining the tradition of keeping our dear state at the vanguard of Good Governance, Rule of Law and Constitutionalism, not just for now but also for the future.
Under my watch as Attorney General, justice sector in Lagos State will also continue to experience the implementation of programmes aimed at giving the good people of Lagos State greater access to justice through dynamic law reforms and adherence to the Rule of Law.
- Lagos State comes with the full demonstration and challenges of an urban city. What is the goal of your administration, towards ensuring law and order in Lagos State?
We recognise the need to ensure that Law and Orderliness is kept. It is this administration’s agenda to clamp down on criminals, land grabbers and other troublemakers to reduce crime and all forms of security threat to the barest minimum. This administration has zero tolerance for criminals, and we would also ensure that the poor and downtrodden in the society have access to justice through our agencies.
- How has the journey been and how have you tackled obligations, tasks and projects since you assumed office?
Upon assumption of office as Attorney General, my first major assignment was to chair an EXCO Sub- Committee on Road Traffic and Law and Order. That Committee looked into the expansion and functionality of the Mobile Courts in order to seek ways of reducing street trading, traffic congestion and unethical/anti-social conducts on the roads, as well as environmental nuisances; thereby improving the socio-economic well-being of the residents of Lagos State.
To show the seriousness and commitment of this Administration towards Law and Order, I personally prosecuted traffic offenders at the mobile court in October, this year.
- Has the focus shifted now to more critical justice issues?
In the last months, the focus has basically been to foster speedy and time effective justice delivery equally amongst all persons in the state. We recognised that this can only be achieved mostly through institutional and policy strategies.
- Please clarify.
We are all witnesses to how the activities of Land Grabbers were almost completely stifling commercial activities in the State. The Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers popularly known as ‘Omo Onile Taskforce’ with a mandate to rid the State of land grabbers, continued to receive petitions and several criminal prosecution cases against suspected land grabbers currently on-going in different Courts.
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The operation of the Taskforce recently received a boost when 19 alleged land grabbers were arrested on the 13th November 2019, in Kosofe Local Government and trial is still on going at the Magistrate Court. We presently have 35 Land Grabbing cases in Court, wherein land grabbers are being prosecuted and we are hopeful that justice would be served without hindrance to serve as a deterrent to other land grabbers.
- How have some of these policies and procedures impacted the confidence of the people in the ability of the state to administer of justice?
Recent Statistics shows that there is an appreciable increase in the number of citizens who patronize the Taskforce for resolution of land grabbing cases. We owe this in part to the intensity of publicity and awareness campaign as well as testimonies of people who have had their cases resolved through the Taskforce. As cheering as this is, the Taskforce is confronted with myriads of challenges in carrying out its legal responsibilities, which are presently being addressed for optimal performance.
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We seek the cooperation and support of State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison Services and other security operatives, in order to collectively ensure that our dear State is a safe and secure environment for all regardless of our different tribes, religious and political affiliations.
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As it concerns Administration of Justice, in the last months, the Directorate of Public Prosecution received 212 duplicate files for Legal Advice and 164 have been issued and despatched. The remaining 48 could not be treated because of request for further investigation by the Police. In the last two weeks, 94 Plea Bargain applications have been treated. The introduction and utilization of the Plea Bargain has reduced the time spent on criminal cases towards achieving Prison and Court decongestion, as well as saved, in no small measure, the amount of tax payers money expended in the prosecution of matters in court.
The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) handled 1,636 cases, 600 petitions out of which 245 have been concluded. 141 judgements have been obtained, over 30 children rescued and total compensation of N8,103,567.09 was received on behalf of clients by the OPD. Similarly, the Public Advisory Centre, received monetary claims of N3,684.666 on behalf of claimants, whilst the Directorate of Citizen’s Rights instituted cases in the National Industrial Court where 7 Claimants were awarded N21, 352,319 as terminal benefits from their various organizations.
These are basically highlights of this office’s efforts regarding Access to Justice.
- The Lagos State Ministry of Justice recently intervened in respect of an encroachment on land of an elderly couple at Ejigbo, whose video went viral on social media, what is the update on this matter?
The couple were invited to our office and the police have also been invited to investigate the alleged criminal activities of the individuals named.
- How has your office progressed with the issue of non-custodial sentences
On our part, there has been a renewed effort through the Community Service Unit of the Ministry of Justice of the State Government to work with the Nigerian Correctional Service to implement the non-custodial sentence provisions in the Nigerian Correction Service Act.
- What is the state doing about the fight against Domestic and sexual violence?
The fight against Domestic and Sexual violence has been on for sometime through our Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, which is dedicated to pursuing justice for survivors and deterring perpetrators.
Recently, on the 26th November, 2019 there was a Walk to commit and act against domestic and sexual violence. The Walk represents a clear message that the Lagos State Government under this present Administration will not tolerate any form of domestic or sexual violence and that is why the symbolic walk was led by Mr Governor.
We are looking at propagating a dedicated Sex Offenders Register with data extracted from the Lagos Criminal Information System and the DSVRT. The major aim of the monitoring programme and the mandated reporting policy is to reduce repeat cases by providing names and personal details of convicted sex offenders in a central database.
- Human rights violations are the core and foundation of a state of unrest and conflict in any given society, how would the state through your ministry ensure that the rights of citizens and duly protected?
The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu is firmly committed to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, welfare and wellbeing of the citizens. It is in recognition of this fact that the Ministry of Justice annually joins the rest of the world to commemorate the Worlds Human Rights Day on every 10th of December.
We seek the cooperation and support of State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison Services and other security operatives, in order to collectively ensure that our dear State is a safe and secure environment for all regardless of our different tribes, religious and political affiliations.
- What is the Agenda for 2020
In the coming years, particular attention will be drawn on law, order and legislative reforms. We have a whole lot of Laws in the pipeline.
The importance of Laws in a Society cannot be overemphasised. It keeps the society running. Laws are made to provide for proper guidelines and order upon the behaviour for all citizens and sustain the equity on the three branches of the government. We believe that laws are important in a society and so, we will further create awareness of the Laws that are being passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
We hope to continue to receive the cooperation and support of the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison Services, other security operatives, and of course the media with their first hand and prompt information, in order to collectively ensure that our dear State is a safe and secure environment for all regardless of our different tribes, religious and political affiliations.
- How does it all come together for you?
None of this Agenda would be possible without the effort and support of the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, and the leadership of directorates, agencies, centres and various units in the ministry of justice.
