In a bid to enhance access to legal services and effective justice delivery, Lagos State Government said it has established the Lagos State Criminal Information System,(LSCIS) in order to capture photographs, biometric and identify the cases of all inmates in the Correctional Centres in the state.
This disclosure was made by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN) at a Press Conference on the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting and Commemoration of his first year in office held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja.
The Attorney General also disclosed that henceforth, no case would be allowed to last more than 24 months in court.
He added that a bill for the enactment of Administration of Civil Justice Law has been forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative process.
Pedro said that when the bill is passed into law, litigation in trial courts should not last more than 18 to 24 months and tenancy matters between three to six months.
“The idea is to ensure that no tenant is owing his landlord or the landlord is ejecting his tenant when matter is before the court.
“Notices would be given but we would not allow it to be used as instrument of oppression by either the tenant or landlord.’
He said no tenant would be allowed to go away with his landlord’s money because the matter is in court.
Pedro said that in the Criminal Justice System, delay in DPP legal advice and prosecution have been addressed.
He listed other innovations introduced to include the Bill for the establishment of Lis Pendens Registry on land matters.
“The Registry aims to serve as a repository of information of land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land that is subject of litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice.
“This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from on-going court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the State.”
Pedro disclosed that another Bill being proposed, is the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the registration of customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages.
He said this would give people of Lagos State opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice disclosed that the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved fund for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate court house, Igbosere and payment of 34 flats official quarters for the Magistrates.
He however announced the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting, scheduled for during the week.
He said the meeting, themed “Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Justice Delivery,” aims to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and improve the enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State.
“This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May this year, where key stakeholders identified the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination within the justice system.
“One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice and ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all residents of Lagos State.
“The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonizing MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management,” he said.
