Dennis Erezi
Lagos State Government on Wednesday disclosed that it recovered N183.7 for citizens from debt-related matters in the last year.
It also stated that agencies under the Ministry of Justice attended to over 40,000 petitions from residents with the majority brought to a logical conclusion.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, revealed this at the ongoing ministerial briefing to mark the first year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in office.
Pedro stated that over 320 judgements were secured in favour of the government in various courts.
He disclosed that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) secured 230 judgements in favour of the state, just as the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) obtained 40 judgements, while the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) secured over 50 judgements.
“In the period under review, a total number of 230 judgements were obtained in favour of the State by OPD. This is in addition to receiving a total of 4,272 petitions and 1,788 court cases (family, industrial, civil, and criminal court cases) across seven of its office locations, including six outstation offices, and OPD headquarters, or through the courts,” he disclosed.
The Attorney General also stated that the OPD handled 1,812 child-related cases, 316 domestic violence-related cases, and 29 rescue missions, adding that the agency further received a total of 1,988 cases via court and correctional centres (Criminal, Industrial, Civil, and Family related cases), out of which 448 had been successfully concluded, with the Office receiving the total sum of ₦59,326,549 on behalf of its clients and beneficiaries.
Pedro disclosed that the DPP obtained 40 judgements in courts and 11 Plea Bargains, with seven cases struck out and four others discharged in the last one year, adding that the Directorate received 377 files for legal advice, out of which it issued 229 advice, with 148 files pending.
The commissioner also said that 158 Plea Bargain applications were received by the Directorate, out of which 100 were approved, two declined and 56 pending.
Pedro further said the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights in the period under review received 755 petitions on family matters, 131 petitions on employee/employer matters and 744 tenancy matters, out of which 539 (family matters), 80 (employee/employer) and 577 (tenancy matters) were resolved respectively.
He said the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) in the period under review received a total number of 35,655 matters for mediation, out of which 20,691 were treated and resolved, adding that 14,964 matters were undecided as a result of non-attendance of concerned parties at mediation sessions.
“Based on the agency’s guiding principles and core values that justice is delivered irrespective of status or socio-economic background, the agency received the sum of N183,721,134 on behalf of parties being the settlement of debt related matters,” he noted.
