- Lawal Pedro SAN, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner of Justice
By Emmanuel Ukudolo
LAGOS — In a sweeping reform aimed at revitalizing the legal landscape of Africa’s most populous city, the Lagos State Government has announced a series of legislative overhauls designed to slash court delays and protect property investments.
The center-piece of the reform is a proposed Tenancy Bill, which seeks to mandate that all landlord-tenant disputes be resolved within a maximum window of three to six months.
Speaking at a media parley with judicial correspondents, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, emphasized that the current protracted legal battles often serve as “instruments of oppression” for both owners and occupiers.
Protecting the Housing Market
The move is strategically timed to boost the state’s real estate sector.
According to Mr. Pedro, the uncertainty of the courts has driven developers—many of whom rely on high-interest loans—away from traditional tenancies and toward short-term leases.
”To encourage investment in housing, we must ensure that the law is not used to frustrate recovery of premises,” Pedro stated.
“By capping these cases at six months, we provide the certainty required for developers to build and for the market to thrive.”
A War on Court Congestion
The reforms extend far beyond housing. The Ministry of Justice is tackling the notorious backlog in the Nigerian judicial system through several key pillars:
Criminal Justice Reform: A new Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) is set to peg the duration of criminal cases to a two-year maximum.
Appeal Court Blitz: In a recent pilot project to decongest the Court of Appeal, officials successfully processed 400 appeals in a single week.
Civil Law Streamlining: Parallel legislation is currently awaiting approval to streamline civil justice procedures, further reducing the “awaiting trial” population.
Modernizing the Penal System
Lagos is also digitizing its approach to crime. The state has developed a Criminal Information System that houses a comprehensive database of all inmates, including biometric data and photographs.
To address the humanitarian crisis of prison overcrowding, Mr. Pedro highlighted a revamped Plea Bargain process and a “Prerogative of Mercy” initiative. Under these guidelines, inmates aged 70 and above who have served significant portions of their sentences may be considered for release.
Strengthening Citizen Support
The Attorney General also noted the institutional strengthening of the Citizen Mediation Centre, which now operates with its own Permanent Secretary, and the Bureau of Public Defenders.
Additionally, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) is being empowered to provide more robust remedies for victims, ensuring that social justice keeps pace with legislative efficiency.
