Residents of Lagos State may soon enjoy faster court decisions, decongested correctional centres and improved access to justice as the state government intensifies reforms across its criminal and civil justice systems.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley with judicial correspondents, where he outlined key measures aimed at addressing delays, abuse of court processes and challenges faced by citizens seeking justice.
Pedro said the state had adopted technology-driven solutions, including a criminal information system that tracks defendants across all courts in Lagos, to eliminate duplication, enhance case management and strengthen accountability within the justice system.
As part of efforts to protect human rights and reduce prison congestion, he said Lagos had expanded the use of forensic investigations, inmate profiling, plea bargaining and non-custodial sentencing.
He clarified that many individuals categorised as awaiting-trial inmates were already on bail and not physically detained, adding that plea bargaining and the exercise of the prerogative of mercy had significantly eased congestion in correctional facilities.
To safeguard victims and ensure effective prosecutions, Pedro said the state had enacted a Witness Protection and Support Law, designed to guarantee speedy criminal trials while protecting witnesses from intimidation or harm.
On civil justice reforms, the attorney-general said measures had been introduced to tackle prolonged delays that often keep cases in court for years.He revealed that hundreds of appeals had been resolved within a short period through collaboration between the executive arm and the judiciary.
Pedro also disclosed that a new Administration of Civil Justice Law, currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, would streamline court procedures and enforce strict timelines for case resolution.
Under the proposed law, civil cases are expected to be concluded within 12 to 18 months, while tenancy disputes would be resolved within three to six months.
He said the government was determined to end the use of litigation as a tool of oppression, noting that the reforms would encourage real estate investment while balancing the rights of tenants and property owners.
Earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, said the engagement with judicial correspondents was part of efforts to promote transparency and improve public understanding of justice sector reforms.
Pedro added that access-to-justice institutions such as the Office of the Public Defender and the Citizens’ Mediation Centre had been strengthened with additional personnel and resources to better serve indigent residents.
He said agencies including the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency had also been empowered to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to rights-based justice, Pedro said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions continued to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure effective prosecutions while respecting suspects’ fundamental rights.
He stressed that the reforms were ongoing and essential to meeting the demands of Lagos’ growing population and public expectations for a justice system that is fair, fast and accessible to all.
Written by Wahab Akinlade