The Lagos State Government says it has intensified efforts to strengthen justice administration through major investments in forensic infrastructure, correctional facilities, courts and citizens’ rights protection mechanisms across the state.Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the second year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
He said one of its landmark achievements was the construction of a new demilitarised warehouse at Majidun in 2025 for the secure storage of exhibits, confiscated items and properties under judicial custody.
According to him, prior to the construction of the facility, the management and preservation of exhibits and attached properties posed serious operational and security challenges.
“We now have a dedicated warehouse where all exhibits and confiscated properties can be properly preserved, documented and secured.
“This has significantly improved accountability and the management of judicial exhibits within the justice system,” he said.
The commissioner also said the state government had moved to restore forensic services disrupted during the EndSARS unrest, which led to the destruction of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre.
He described the forensic centre as a critical institution in criminal investigation and justice delivery, noting that the destruction of specialised equipment caused a major setback to law enforcement and prosecution processes.
According to him, the full restoration of the facility is estimated to cost about 10 million dollars.
He, however, said that the ministry had converted and renovated an existing canteen facility into a temporary forensic centre to sustain operations pending the reconstruction of the main facility.
“The forensic centre remains a vital tool in the administration of justice.
“In spite of the destruction suffered during the crisis, we ensured continuity by creating a temporary operational facility while plans continue for the full restoration of the main centre,” he said.
The attorney-general said the state had also addressed challenges associated with transporting inmates to courts by procuring two purpose-built Toyota Coaster buses for the Nigerian Correctional Service.
He said the lack of adequate transportation had frequently delayed trials and caused difficulties in producing inmates in court.
“This intervention will ensure safer and more efficient movement of inmates to courts across the state while reducing delays in criminal trials,” he said.
He added that Lagos State had undertaken extensive renovation of correctional facilities, including maximum, medium and other custodial centres within the state to ease pressure on the facilities.
The commissioner said the government was also expanding access to justice through the construction and renovation of magistrate courts and high courts in several communities to reduce the burden on residents travelling long distances for court proceedings.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Justice library was being upgraded into a modern law resource and training centre to enhance capacity building and continuous legal education for justice sector personnel.
On institutional reforms, the attorney-general said the state government had approved structural changes within the Ministry of Justice to improve career progression and staff welfare.
He said the reforms led to the upgrade of some agencies and the appointment of permanent secretaries for the Office of the Public Defender and the Citizens’ Engagement Office.
According to him, the ministry also organised retreats and capacity-building programmes for junior and senior officers to improve service delivery.
Pedro said the ministry had continued to promote law and order through legal measures aimed at regulating public protests and protecting public infrastructure.
He recalled that violent incidents during previous protests resulted in the destruction of public and private assets across Lagos.
“In a strategic move to safeguard lives, infrastructure and the rights of residents not participating in protests, the government sought judicial intervention to regulate public demonstrations,” he said.
The commissioner also highlighted the activities of the state’s special offences mobile courts, saying that the courts prosecuted 15,342 cases between January 2023 and March 2026.
He said the offences included environmental violations, traffic infractions, street trading, obstruction of highways and illegal activities on Bus Rapid Transit corridors.
According to him, the mobile courts generated more than N155 million within the review period.
The attorney-general said the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau received 117,375 cases between 2023 and 2026, and successfully resolved 49,189 disputes through mediation and negotiated settlements.
He added that the bureau also facilitated the recovery of about N1.4 billion for disputing parties within the same period.
“Without the intervention of the mediation bureau, thousands of these disputes would have ended up in courts or police stations.
Pedro said further that the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights and the Office of the Public Defender had continued to provide free legal assistance and protect vulnerable residents against rights violations.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice and creating an enabling environment for businesses and residents in Lagos State. (NAN)
