Lagos State Government has proposed a bill for a law to empower couples in Lagos to have customary marriage certificates.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), said this on Monday at a news conference to announce a strategic stakeholders meeting.
The strategic meeting, scheduled for Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, will have the theme: “Enhancing Collaboration for Effective Justice Delivery”.
Pedro said that the proposed bill would be known as ‘Bill for a Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the Registration of Customary Marriages and Dissolution of Customary Marriages.
“This will give people of Lagos State the opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriage,” he said.
The attorney-general also said the ministry had forwarded a bill for the enactment of administration of civil justice law to the state house of assembly for legislative processes.
According to him, civil litigation should not last more 24 months when the law is enacted.
Pedro added that the law would provide for tenancy matters court cases not lasting for more than six months.
He said: “The idea is to ensure that no tenant is owing his landlord or landlord ejecting his tenant when the matter is before the court.
“Notices will be given but we will not allow it to be used as instrument of oppression by either the tenant or landlord.
“No tenant will be allowed to go away with his landlord’s money because the matter is in court.
“Lagos State Criminal Information System,(LSCIS) has been established to capture photographs, biometric and identify the cases of all inmates in correctional centres in Lagos State.”
He added that the government was planning a bill for establishment of Lis Pendens Registry on land matters.
“The registry aims to serve as a repository of information on land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land that is subject of litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice.
“This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from ongoing court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the state.”
NAN reports that Lis pendens is a legal means for serving notice to anyone concerned with a piece of real estate that there is a claim and pending legal action against the property.
It notifies potential buyers that another party has a claim to the property.
Pedro also said that the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved fund for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrates’ Court House, Igbosere, and payment of 34 flats as official quarters for magistrates.
Pedro said that the upcoming strategic meeting was a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May where key stakeholders identified the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination within the justice system.
“One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice and ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all residents of Lagos State.
“The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders toward harmonising operations of ministries, departments and agencies to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management, “,he said.
