The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN on Monday said the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has forwarded a Bill for the enactment of Administration of Civil Justice Law to the House of Assembly for legislative process.
Mr. Pedro disclosed this at a press briefing to mark his first year in office as the Chief Law Officer in the state.
The ministry stated that various strides have been made in enhancing access to legal services, streamlining prosecution processes, and ensuring the vulnerable receive the necessary support.
According to Mr. Pedro,“If the Bill is passed to Law, it is expected that litigation in trial courts should not last more than 18 to 24 months and tenancy matters between 3 to 6 months.”
He also said that the State Governor has approved fund for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate court house and payment of 34 flats official quarters for the Magistrates.
He also unveiled plans of the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting, scheduled for October 23rd and 24th, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
“This meeting presents an invaluable opportunity for dialogue and partnership as we collectively strive towards a more effective and equitable justice system in Lagos State.”
He reiterated the theme of the meeting, “Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Justice Delivery.”
He assured that the meeting aims at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and improve the enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State.
According to him “The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonising MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management.
“Day One will focus on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice, with keynote speaker Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (Rtd) and discussants including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Zonal Commander of the EFCC Lagos and ICPC, the AIG Zone 2 Lagos, Commissioner of Police Lagos and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service. Together, we will discuss pressing issues, share best practices and explore collaborative solutions to the challenges we collectively face in law enforcement and prosecution.
“Day Two, we will start the meeting with the government Land Family to wit; Lands Bureau, NTDA, the Office of the Surveyor General, the Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the Agricultural Lands Holding Authority and the Lands Registry
“That session will be followed by meeting with the Environment and Physical Planning Family to wit; Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR), LASEPA, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD) LASBCA, LASPPA and LASURA.
“The last session for the day will address Chieftaincy Matters and the future of Local Government Administration in Lagos State, with the Oba of Lagos or his representative delivering the keynote address.”
He also hinted on the recommendations made to the ministry by the Committee set up following the Justice Summit held earlier this year.
Pedro stated “Following the reception of these recommendations and with the approval of Mr. Governor, I constituted an implementation committee tasked with developing an action plan to operationalise these recommendations.
“One of the foremost areas of focus for the committee was the Administration of Civil Justice for Economic Growth and Investment Protection. Recognizing that delays in justice delivery can significantly hinder economic progress, the committee emphasised the necessity of reducing time of conclusion of cases in the Magistrate and High Courts.
“In the Criminal Justice System, delay in DPP legal advice and prosecution have been addressed. In addition, the Lagos State Criminal Information System has been established to capture photographs, biometric and identify the cases of all inmates in the Correctional Centres in Lagos State.
“Other innovations introduced are the Bill for the establishment of Lis Pendens Registry. The Registry aims to serve as a repository of information of land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land subject of litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice. This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from ongoing court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the State.
“Another Bill being proposed, is the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the registration of customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages. This will give people of Lagos State opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.”