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The Lagos State Government has revealed that sweeping reforms introduced in the judiciary have yielded major benefits in the administration of criminal justice, decongestion of custody centres, dispute resolution and asset management, saving the State over ₦1.25 billion through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms between 2023 and 2026.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, made the disclosure on Thursday during the 2026 ministerial press conference of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice held in Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Pedro said the administration has supported aggressive reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice, increasing the efficiency of criminal prosecutions, decongesting correctional facilities and restoring public confidence in the legal system.
According to the Attorney General, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions recorded significant progress during the period under review. It revealed that the directorate received 2,620 files requesting legal advice and successfully issued 2,342 legal opinions, while 279 matters remained pending.
He further said that the ministry filed 1,485 criminal charges in various courts in the state and processed 770 plea requests. Of the applications received, 687 were approved while 68 were rejected after a legal check.
Pedro explained that the plea bargaining system and improved judicial processes have helped speed up criminal trials, reduce unnecessary delays and promote more efficient administration of justice in Lagos courts.
“The Directorate’s activities have significantly improved the efficiency of the administration of criminal justice, promoted speedy dispensation of justice, reduced unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings and strengthened public confidence in the justice system,” he said.
The Attorney General also highlighted the achievements of the District Attorney Programme, revealing that the Ministry handled 12,846 cases during the period under review. Of these, 11,680 cases were approved for prosecution, 768 were rejected due to lack of merit or insufficient evidence, while 18 unresolved matters were referred to the courts for further proceedings.
Pedro said the Ministry of Justice has handled several sensitive and high-profile criminal cases during the period, insisting that all legal advice issued by the Ministry remains evidence-based and free of political pressure or external interference.
Notable cases cited include the Owode Onirin murders involving six traders, the investigation into the death of teacher Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of celebrated novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as well as the detention matter involving teenager Michael Adebiyi.
“We have remained committed to ensuring that legal advice is guided strictly by available evidence and principles of justice, without fear, favor or external influence,” Pedro said.
The commissioner also listed several historic convictions issued by the state government during that period. He made specific reference to the conviction of BRT driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a case that has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed public concern over the safety of commuters in Lagos.
Pedro further revealed that doctor Olufemi Olaleye and cleric Chris Mcdouglas Omosekpea were separately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in rape and desecration cases prosecuted by the state government.
He added that the murder trial involving alleged “Killaboi” suspect, Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, along with other major criminal cases, remains pending before the Lagos High Court.
On prison and detention center reforms, the Attorney General said the Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to reduce congestion in correctional facilities through the constitutional Prerogative of Mercy initiative.
According to him, a total of 397 inmates were released from correctional centers between 2023 and 2025 after their cases were reviewed by the Lagos State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Pedro revealed that the board reviewed 963 requests within the period and recommended the release of 397 inmates. He added that nine death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, while one convict received a full pardon from the state government.
Explaining the constitutional basis of the initiative, the Attorney General stated that the Prerogative of Mercy represents an act of compassion aimed at tempering justice with mercy in deserving situations.
“The Prerogative of Mercy is the constitutional power vested in the Governor to grant relief to persons convicted of criminal offenses. It is an act of mercy exercised in meritorious circumstances to mitigate the rigors of the law,” he explained.
He noted that the initiative is part of broader criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, equity, reintegration of offenders and reducing pressure on correctional facilities.
Pedro also highlighted the performance of the Directorate of Advisory Services and Judicial Liaisons, revealing that the department resolved around 3,000 petitions out of nearly 5,000 received during the period under review.
It said the Directorate issued approximately 1,500 legal advices, participated in nearly 500 disciplinary committee proceedings and conducted more than 2,000 pre-action protocol meetings aimed at resolving disputes prior to litigation.
According to him, the state government has deliberately prioritized alternative dispute resolution mechanisms over prolonged court battles, a strategy that has significantly reduced financial liabilities and helped rebuild public trust in government institutions.
One of the most notable achievements recorded by the Directorate, Pedro said, was the successful mediation of a copyright infringement dispute involving a state agency in Lagos.
It revealed that the dispute initially exposed the state government to a potential liability of more than ₦1.26 billion. However, through mediation and negotiation, the matter was ultimately settled for ₦3 million, resulting in savings to the State of over ₦1.25 billion.
Pedro added that the Directorate has also successfully resolved several pension, gratuity, land, welfare and contractual disputes through amicable resolution processes, thereby reducing the pressure of disputes on the courts and promoting administrative stability within government institutions.
In another important development, the Attorney General revealed that the Office of the Administrator General and Public Trustee has seen substantial progress in estate administration and estate management across the State.
He revealed that the office resolved 8,112 property-related claims between May 2023 and April 2026 and facilitated the payment of over ₦769.6 million to beneficiaries.
According to Pedro, the office received a total of 9,826 petitions during the period, representing a resolution rate of 85%. He further said that over 3,000 estates have been divided to ensure quick and fair distribution of inheritances to beneficiaries.
The Attorney General further noted that the office generated revenue of over ₦221.1 million for the Lagos State Government and handled more than 320 property-related matters before magistrates and high courts across the state.
Pedro maintained that the reforms introduced by the Ministry of Justice were part of the ongoing efforts by the Sanwo-Olu administration to modernize the delivery of justice, promote accountability and deepen citizens’ confidence in the legal and judicial process in Lagos State.
