The Lagos State Government has unveiled sweeping legal and technological reforms aimed at ending prolonged court delays, particularly tenancy disputes that linger for up to five years, while promoting faster and voluntary compliance with the law.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, made the disclosure during a media parley with Judiciary Correspondents at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ikeja.
Pedro said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is deeply concerned about tenancy cases that remain unresolved for years, allowing some tenants to occupy properties without paying rent while matters drag in court.
According to him, a new bill currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly seeks to cap tenancy-related disputes at a maximum of six months.
“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,” Pedro said.
He explained that under the proposed legislation, the court will no longer serve as a shield for non-payment of rent. Tenants may be required to show proof of payment of utility bills and service charges before their cases are entertained, a measure he described as ensuring fairness for both property owners and occupants.
Digital Tracking of Criminal Cases
In what he described as a national first, Pedro highlighted the Lagos State Criminal Information System, a comprehensive digital database designed to track defendants across correctional facilities 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,” he stated.
The system, he said, eliminates cases of missing defendants and ensures that anyone who enters the court system can be instantly identified, thereby improving transparency and efficiency in criminal justice administration.
Tackling Prison Congestion
The Attorney General also sought to correct public perception regarding the state’s prison population, arguing that most inmates are not simply awaiting trial but are actively undergoing trial processes.
To further decongest correctional facilities, the state has expanded plea-bargaining arrangements to shorten trial durations. It has also intensified prisoner release reviews, working to free inmates who have served at least 70 per cent of their sentences and demonstrated signs of rehabilitation.
Additionally, the state has introduced a new witness protection law to safeguard witnesses and facilitate faster, safer prosecutions.
Clearing the Appellate Backlog
Pedro revealed that in collaboration with the Court of Appeal, the state recently decongested the Lagos Division by resolving 400 appeals within a single week. The move is intended to prevent judgments delivered at the High Court level from being undermined by prolonged appellate delays.
Expanding Access to Justice
The Commissioner emphasised that justice delivery in Lagos has become more accessible through specialised institutions, including the Bureau of Public Defender (BPD), which provides free legal services for civil and criminal matters; the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), now headed by a Permanent Secretary to enhance out-of-court settlements; and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), which offers shelter to survivors and ensures prosecution of offenders.
Pedro said the overarching objective of the reforms is to build a justice system that is faster, more efficient and responsive to the needs of residents.
“Our goal is voluntary compliance. It is cheaper, safer, and makes everyone happier. We are building a system where justice is fast, efficient, and effective for every Lagosian,” he concluded.
The proposed tenancy reform, if passed, is expected to significantly reshape landlord-tenant relations in Lagos, restore investor confidence in the property market, and reduce the burden on the courts.
