Lagos State Takes Major Leap Towards Justice Reform
In a significant move to fast-track justice delivery in Lagos State, the State House Of Assembly has received a bill aimed at substantially reducing litigation time at the Magistrate and High Courts. The proposed bill, which is part of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s efforts to expedite justice, was disclosed by the Attorney General of Lagos and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro.
According to Pedro, once the bill is passed into law, civil cases in the state’s courts are expected to last no more than two years, while tenancy matters will be resolved within six months. The proposed legislation was announced during a press conference held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday. The event marked the first year anniversary of Pedro’s tenure in office and served as a precursor to the upcoming Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of his ministry.
In addition to the proposed bill, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has introduced several innovations aimed at improving the justice system. The establishment of the State’s Criminal Information System, for instance, will capture photographs, biometrics, and case information of inmates in Correctional Centres in Lagos State. Another significant innovation is the Lis Pendens Registry, which will serve as a central repository of information on land disputes in the courts. This registry will reduce the risk of third-party interests and boost confidence in real-estate investment within the state.
The ideas for these innovations were born out of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s Justice Reform Summit, held on May 27th and 28th, 2024. The summit brought together diverse speakers and discussants who presented impactful recommendations for improving the justice system. Following the reception of these recommendations, an implementation committee was constituted to operationalize them. One of the key areas of focus for the committee was the Administration of Civil Justice for Economic Growth and Investment Protection.
According to the Attorney General, all the innovations introduced by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice will ultimately aid economic growth and protect investors. The proposed bill for the establishment of the Administration of Civil Justice Law has already been forwarded to the House of Assembly for the legislative process. If the bill is passed into law, it is expected that litigation in trial courts will not last more than 18 to 24 months, and tenancy matters will be resolved within three to six months.
Furthermore, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice is proposing another bill for the establishment of the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry. This registry will provide a platform for registering customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages, allowing the people of Lagos State to obtain customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.
These developments underscore the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s commitment to improving the justice system and promoting economic growth in the state. With the proposed legislation and innovations, the ministry is taking a significant step towards ensuring that justice delivery is faster, more efficient, and more effective.
