Lagos Launches Electronic Real Estate Litigation System
Lagos State Government, has scored another first, as its Ministry of Justice launched an electronic real estate litigation system, to reduce litigation in properties and ease the process of doing business in the sector.
Speaking at the launch of the system last Tuesday at the conference room of the Ministry of Justice, Alausa, Ikeja Secretariat, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the system was designed in line with the administration’s drive to promote information technology in the State.
According to Kazeem, who was represented at the launch by Lagos State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami, the system will provide easy access to information, to anyone who intends to deal in real estate with information primarily on whether the property is subject of litigation in a court.
He said the system offers end-users the platform for filing a Lis Pendens entry which may be uploaded on the Lis Pendens Online System, thus, giving actual and constructive notice to the public and innocent purchasers.
“Since its inception, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration, has remained committed to ensuring the safety of lives and interest in properties within Lagos State.
“It may be recalled that at the inception of this administration, my office promised to encourage the use of technology to give access to an effective and efficient justice system, and in keying into the bigger picture of the technologically driven mega Lagos plan, has designed this project.
“Any economically vibrant city possesses at least three fundamental capitals for its sustenance and growth; they are Financial Capital, Human Capital, and Real Estate or Immovable Capital. The third form of capital, is why we are all gathered here today.
“The world we know today, is at the click of a button technology driven, and the Lagos State Government is certainly in trend with the times, we have been working endlessly to ensure that Lagos is not left in the dark ages. This is
why several initiatives and steps, are being taken to make Lagos State as technologically driven as possible.
“The system will offer end-users the platform for “filing a ’Lis-Pendens’ entry which may be uploaded on the ‘Lis-Pendens online system, thus, giving actual and constructive notice to the public and innocent purchasers”, he stated.
Kazeem described the real estate sector, as one which records a very large turnover within the economy of the State.
He said with the vision of becoming the largest economy in Africa, it is expected that the level of economic and commercial activities in Lagos State would experience an unprecedented level, height and pace.
The AG said other services the electronic real estate litigation system would include are “provide a comprehensive database of real estate/property in Lagos which is subject of litigation, provide information on pending cases in court, notify the public of real estate and property which are the subject of pending litigation, curtail risk associated with property transactions, reduce litigation on real estate as the public can now easily confirm if a property is the subject of a pending litigation, enhance due diligence in property transactions, ensure the public and professional bodies are able to conduct an efficient search of real estate and property, among other services.
Justice Olaide Olayinka who represented the State Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke at the event, described the system as a wonderful initiative which would have positive impact on the administration of justice.
“It is exactly what is required in Lagos State. There are so many cases on property in court, with many not knowing that the property is a matter pending in court”.
She said the system would curtail risk in property business, and make due diligence easy to observe.
Mr. Emmanuel Akinde who represented the Permanent Secretary, Lands and Registry, advised that the new initiative be backed by law to give it more effect, just as searches on properties is backed by the Lagos Registration of Titles Law 2015.
He noted that before now, searches were only limited to finding out if land is under government acquisition or not.
The Surveyor-General, Mr. Olutomi Sangowawa, advised that the system should be on-line real time, so that investors can know if there are encumbrances when transacting businesses on properties.