The Lagos State Government has disclosed that sweeping reforms introduced across the justice sector have yielded major gains in criminal justice administration, custodial centre decongestion, dispute resolution, and estate management, with the state saving more than ₦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 Briefing of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice held at Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Pedro said the administration had sustained aggressive reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice, enhancing efficiency in criminal prosecution, decongesting correctional facilities, and restoring public trust in the legal system.
According to the Attorney-General, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions recorded significant progress during the review period. He revealed that the directorate received 2,620 case files requesting legal advice and successfully issued 2,342 legal opinions, while 279 matters remained pending.
He further stated that the ministry filed 1,485 criminal charges across various courts in the state and processed 770 plea bargain applications. Out of the applications received, 687 were approved while 68 were rejected after legal review.
Pedro explained that the plea bargain system and improved prosecution processes had helped to accelerate criminal trials, reduce unnecessary delays, and promote more efficient administration of justice across Lagos courts.
“The activities of the Directorate significantly enhanced the efficiency of criminal justice administration, promoted speedy dispensation of justice, reduced unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings and reinforced public confidence in the justice system,” he said.
The Attorney-General also highlighted the achievements of the District Prosecutors Scheme, disclosing that the ministry handled 12,846 case files during the period under review. Of the number, 11,680 cases were approved for prosecution, 768 were declined for lack of merit or insufficient evidence, while 18 unresolved matters were returned to courts for further proceedings.
Pedro said the Ministry of Justice had handled several high-profile and sensitive criminal cases during the period, insisting that all legal advice issued by the ministry remained evidence-driven and devoid of political pressure or external interference.
Among the notable cases referenced were the Owode Onirin killings involving six traders, the inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of celebrated novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as well as the detention-related matter involving teenager Michael Adebiyi.
“We have remained committed to ensuring that legal advice is guided strictly by available evidence and the principles of justice, without fear, favour or external influence,” Pedro stated.
The commissioner also listed several landmark convictions secured by the state government during the period. He specifically referenced the conviction of BRT driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a case that attracted nationwide outrage and renewed public concern over commuter safety in Lagos.
Pedro further disclosed that medical practitioner Olufemi Olaleye and cleric Chris Mcdouglas Omosekpea were separately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in rape and defilement cases prosecuted by the state government.
He added that the murder trial involving alleged “Killaboi” suspect, Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, alongside other notable criminal cases, remains pending before the Lagos High Court.
On prison and custodial centre reforms, the Attorney-General said the Lagos State Government 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 centres between 2023 and 2025 after their cases were reviewed by the Lagos State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Pedro disclosed that the council reviewed 963 applications within the period and recommended 397 inmates for release. He added that nine death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, while one inmate received a full pardon from the state government.
Explaining the constitutional basis for the initiative, the Attorney-General said the Prerogative of Mercy represents an act of compassion designed to temper 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 offences. It is an act of grace exercised in deserving circumstances to mitigate the rigours of the law,” he explained.
He noted that the initiative forms part of broader criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, fairness, reintegration of offenders, and reduction of pressure on correctional facilities.
Pedro also highlighted the performance of the Directorate of Advisory Services and Judicial Liaison, revealing that the department resolved about 3,000 petitions out of nearly 5,000 received during the review period.
He said the Directorate issued approximately 1,500 legal advisories, attended nearly 500 disciplinary board proceedings, and conducted more than 2,000 pre-action protocol meetings aimed at resolving disputes before litigation.
According to him, the state government deliberately prioritised alternative dispute resolution mechanisms over prolonged court battles, a strategy that significantly reduced financial liabilities and helped rebuild public confidence in government institutions.
One of the most remarkable achievements recorded by the Directorate, Pedro said, was the successful mediation of a copyright infringement dispute involving a Lagos State agency.
He disclosed that the dispute initially exposed the state government to a potential liability exceeding ₦1.26 billion. However, through mediation and negotiation, the matter was eventually settled for ₦3 million, resulting in savings of more than ₦1.25 billion for the state.
Pedro added that the Directorate also successfully resolved several pension, gratuity, land, welfare, and contractual disputes through amicable settlement processes, thereby reducing litigation pressure on the courts and promoting administrative stability within government institutions.
In another major development, the Attorney-General revealed that the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee recorded substantial progress in estate administration and inheritance management across the state.
He disclosed that the office resolved 8,112 estate-related petitions between May 2023 and April 2026 and facilitated the payment of more than ₦769.6 million to beneficiaries.
According to Pedro, the office received a total of 9,826 petitions during the period, representing an 85 per cent resolution rate. He further stated that over 3,000 estates were partitioned to ensure prompt and equitable distribution of inheritances to beneficiaries.
The Attorney-General also noted that the office generated over ₦221.1 million in revenue for the Lagos State Government and handled more than 320 estate-related matters before Magistrate and High Courts across the state.
Pedro maintained that the reforms introduced by the Ministry of Justice were part of ongoing efforts by the Sanwo-Olu administration to modernise justice delivery, promote accountability, and deepen citizens’ confidence in the legal and judicial process in Lagos State.
