Lagos Attorney General Urges Reduction in Government Litigation

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, has reiterated the Ministry's commitment to supporting security agencies in their anti-corruption efforts, while also advocating for fairness and justice in legal proceedings.

During a Strategic Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in Ikeja, Pedro emphasized the Attorney General's constitutional duty to protect Lagos citizens from oppression and unjust actions that may be disguised as legal prosecution.

Pedro highlighted that the judicial system should not be misused to oppress citizens or to coerce them into settling civil matters. He cautioned against employing court charges to intimidate individuals for personal gain.

The meeting also focused on the urgent need to reduce the volume of cases involving the government, which currently stands at over 6,047 as of July 2024. These cases include more than 2,500 land disputes, 310 physical planning issues, 240 housing cases, 150 road transportation matters, 75 environmental disputes, 250 chieftaincy matters, and various others. The financial burden of these cases on the government is estimated to be around ₦114.5 billion.

Pedro underscored the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reduce litigation, bridge inter-ministerial gaps, and avoid unnecessary financial liabilities. He called for a reorganization of the operational systems and processes within MDAs to enhance cost-efficiency, service quality, and speed up the delivery of justice.

He expressed confidence that these reforms would bring benefits to both the government and the public, suggesting that a streamlined process could cut down on unproductive activities, improve access to information, make government teams more responsive, and ultimately enhance the quality of service provided to the people of Lagos State.

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