The Lagos State Government has announced sweeping legal and technological reforms aimed at ending prolonged court delays, particularly tenancy disputes that linger for up to five years, and ensuring faster, voluntary compliance with the law.

Speaking at a media parley with Judiciary Correspondents at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Ikeja, the Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, revealed that the state is moving to revolutionise how tenancy and civil disputes are handled.

Addressing a major pain point for residents, Pedro expressed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s dissatisfaction with tenancy cases lingering in court for up to five years.

“Mr Governor is not happy that a tenant can remain in a property for years without paying rent just because the matter is in court.

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“A new bill currently before the House of Assembly aims to cap these cases at a maximum of six months.

“Under the proposed law, the court will no longer be a shield for non-payment. Tenants may be required to prove they have settled utility bills and service charges before being heard, ensuring a win-win for both investors and occupants,” Pedro stated.

In a national first, Pedro highlighted the Lagos State Criminal Information System, a digital database that tracks every defendant across correctional centres and courts.

“Lagos is the only state that has this system today. We have the biometrics of all inmates, whether they are undergoing trial or are convicted,” Pedro explained.

He noted that this eliminates cases of missing defendants and ensures anyone entering the court system is instantly identifiable.

The Attorney General also sought to change the narrative around the prison population.

He argued that most inmates are not awaiting trial but are actively undergoing trial.

To decongest facilities, the state, according to the AG has expanded plea-bargaining to encourage defendants to take deals to reduce trial times, embarked on prisoner release review, thereby working to release those who have served 70 per cent of their time and shown reform, introduced a new law to protect and support witnesses, ensuring faster and safer prosecutions.

In collaboration with the Court of Appeal, Pedro revealed that the state successfully decongested the Lagos Division, handling 400 appeals within a single week.

This effort, according to the AG is intended to ensure that judgments obtained at the High Court are not rendered useless by years of appellate delay.

The Commissioner emphasised that justice in Lagos is now more accessible through specialised bureaus such as Bureau of Public Defender (BPD), which provides free legal aid for civil and criminal claims; Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) now headed by a Permanent Secretary to handle out-of-court settlements; and Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) which ensures that survivors are sheltered and perpetrators are prosecuted.

(Tribune)

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