•OPD, CMC, Citizens’ Rights receive over 40,000 petitions
Lagos State Government has secured over 320 judgements in favour of the government in various courts across the state and also approved 100 plea bargains in the last one year.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), made this known on Wednesday at a Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the first year of the 2nd Term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in office, which took place at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
Besides, Pedro further disclosed that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) secured 230 judgements in favour of the state, just as the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) obtained 40 judgements, while the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) secured over 50 judgements.
“In the period under review, a total number of 230 judgements were obtained in favour of the state by OPD. This is in addition to receiving 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 said.
According to him, 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 ₦59,326,549 on behalf of its clients and beneficiaries.
Pedro said that the DPP obtained 40 judgements in courts and 11 Plea Bargains, with seven cases struck out and four others discharged in the last one year, adding that the Directorate received 377 files for legal advice, out of which it issued 229 advice, with 148 files pending.
He also said that a total of 158 Plea Bargain applications were received by the Directorate, out of which 100 were approved, two were declined and 56 were pending.
Speaking further, the Attorney General said 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.
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 a total of 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 said.
On the DSVA, Pedro 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 judgements in courts, 36 restraining orders, handled 652 social welfare cases, concluded mediation in 107 cases and reached over 800,000 people in the community through advocacy and sensitization.
Pedro also disclosed that the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court convicted a total number of 10,266 offenders who were arrested and arraigned for various minor offences, saying that the actions of the court had been able to reduce criminal activities of miscreant and ensuring custodial sentencing.
On land grabbing, the Attorney General disclosed 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 were currently 35 land grabbing cases in court.
Pedro further said that the State Ministry of Justice, during the period under review, 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,” Pedro said.
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