‘Our Top Priority is, Digitalising Lagos’ Judiciary’
measures for victims and witnesses, may consult the office responsible for Witness Support and/or Protection.
Establishment of Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee –a new Section 375 of the Amended ACJL 2021
is inserted, to promote and foster inter-agency cooperation amongst stakeholders in the justice system,
Establishment of Crime Data Registry – By Section 370 of the Amended ACJL 2021,
an electronic repository of information on awaiting trial inmates and convicts in Lagos State. We have been populating this database since 2018, and it has been a useful tool to the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Centres and Police. We are working towards launching a criminal records registry where Embassies, organisations can apply for background/criminal records of potential employees, particularly, for sex offenders. It will also assist the Police and Prosecutors, in identifying repeated offenders.
With a bourgeoning population and coming as the most populous cosmopolitan city in Africa, the crime rate in Lagos State is unarguably the highest in Nigeria. The burden is on you, as the Chief Law Officer of the State, to ensure a safer city that will inspire the confidence of local and international investors. How are you doing in this regard?
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has been supporting the Nigeria Police Lagos State Command and other security agencies in the State, by providing necessary support through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. The State has also acquired and provided equipment and training for the Officers and men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). You will also recall that Lagos State Government established Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency (LSNSA), which functions include gathering information and giving necessary support to the Police. The LSNSA numbering over 4000 men and women, are our boots on the ground, patrolling neighbourhoods on foot and bicycles. They engage in community policing and assist in preventing commission of crimes, or giving useful information in identifying potential trouble spots in the community. The officers of the Agency, are spread across the State.
Some Laws have also been passed to ensure Lagos is safer for all of us, one of such laws is the Victims Assistance & Protection of Witness Law 2022, which when signed into law by Mr Governor will mandate all hospitals to give the minimum treatment required to stabilise the victim of any crime or accident, until that victim is transferred to another medical facility. This law was passed in memory of a young lady, Moradeun Balogun, who sadly lost her life after being stabbed by robbers
and the medical facility she was rushed to refused or failed to admit her, or even try to stop her bleeding. We are also in the course of amending the Criminal Law of Lagos State, while we are in the process of finalising the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill.
Why is it that Lagos State does not seem to be a part of the Amotekun initiative of the South West Governors? Is open grazing allowed in Lagos State?
The State Government amended its Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law in 2020, wherein Section 18 specifically established the Neighbourhood Corps Special Patrol Unit (referred to as the Lagos Amotekun Corps) with membership drawn from the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. The Amotekun Corps is to share intelligence, equipment and resources with its counterparts in Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo State. We also have a law known as Prohibition of Open Grazing Law, 2021, which outlaws open grazing in Lagos State. Before the advent of the outcry and clamour that led to the creation of the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, Lagos State, since 2016 had in existence the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corp, upon which all the Amotekun Units in the other South-West States was modelled upon. We just simply preferred to retain the
original name, rather than change it to Amotekun. Also, all the laws creating the Amotekun Corp in the other States, are also based on the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corp Law 2016. So, Lagos State is very much part of the Amotekun initiative.
What is the status of the aggrieved retired Judges who went to court over their unpaid retirement benefits and emoluments? This development is surprising, since Rivers and Lagos State are the two States that have been repeatedly singled out for their concern for the conditions of service of the Judiciary
The Lagos State Government will continue to carry out its obligations to both the serving and retired Judges in the Judiciary of the State. The issue of retirement benefit of Judges that have served meritoriously in Lagos State is receiving attention, and parties have met to resolve the matter amicably. The matter will be resolved, and we have made payments to the retired Judges. We are however, putting up a claim that by virtue of the provisions of Section 84(7), Second Schedule Part 1, Item 44 and Third Schedule Part 1, Item 21 (e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the obligation to pay the pension and benefits of retired judicial officers of the States resides with the Federal Government. This is a constitutional point which we are taking up. However, until the court decides this point, we shall continue with the payment of the pensions and benefits of our retired Judges.
Is the Lagos State DNA Lab going to be rebuilt?
Yes, you will recall that Mr Governor inaugurated the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund, which has been saddled with the responsibility of rebuilding the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre and other public assets that were affected during the #EndSARS protest. I am aware that they are on-track with the efforts to rebuild the DNA & Forensic Centre Facility that was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests. The Centre however, is still open, and offering partial services to the State and its citizens.
Certainly, the last hasn’t been heard of the #EndSARS Report, which your office seemed to take some exception to. What should Lagosians expect next?
Mr Governor set up the Tribunal of Enquiry on #EndSARS and Police Brutality. You will recall that the Panel submitted its report on 15th October, 2021, after which a White Paper was issued by the Government. The White Paper recommendations are currently being implemented; for example, we have forwarded a Bill to Lagos State House of Assembly for the creation of a standing human rights committee to investigate the issue of abuses by security agencies or any authority. Also, the State Government has paid compensation of about N500 million, as recommended.
Kindly, shed some light on the e-filing and e-bail initiative your Ministry just put in place
The e-Filing and e-Bail initiatives are under the control of the Lagos State Judiciary, under its Judicial Information System (JIS) and Bail Information Management System (BIMS) initiative. We however, provide support to the Judiciary in ensuring that these highly desirous and welcome initiatives, have the desired impact. We continue to hold meetings with the Judiciary and the Bar, in ensuring the desirable outcome. The JIS when fully operational, will provide electronic filing of court processes, swearing of affidavits and payments without the need to be physically present at the court premises. BIMS is to provide a databank for Defendants who have been granted bail by both the Magistrate and High Courts. This will help resolve delays with tracking, and verifying of Defendants and their sureties.
“…..we have made payments to the retired Judges. We are however, putting up a claim that by virtue of the provisions of Section 84(7), Second Schedule Part 1, Item 44 and Third Schedule Part 1, Item 21 (e) of the Constitution…..the obligation to pay the pension and benefits of retired judicial officers of the States resides with the Federal Government. This is a constitutional point which we are taking up”