By Abdulwahab Abdulah &  Dotun Ibiwoye
LAGOS — Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro, has said the state government will no longer tolerate avoidable mistakes that make the state incur avoidable liabilities and judgment debts arising from actions and inactions of its legal officers.

Pedro, who reiterated the decision of the government to hold affected legal officers accountable for any action that result to court’s penalty, said the state government organised training programmes to expose the law officers, especially those in the ministries and parastatals on  the implications of their action in dealing with the public.

Speaking at a workshop with the theme: “Justice Agenda Towards Reducing State Government Liabilities and Judgment Debts,” organised by the Directorate of Civil Litigation for the Ministry of Land and its agencies, Pedro said government was aware of the nonchalant attitude of some legal officers  in handling cases entrusted in their care, which most times put the state in a tight corner.

He said: “When government enters into business or contract with the private sector, its officers must play by the same rules that apply to its citizens. When services are rendered to residents of Lagos, public officers must comply with due process and best practices to avoid litigation and attendant consequences.

“There will be sanctions for law officers, who due to negligence or error on their part cause avoidable liabilities to government. They will be personally liable. We are not saying government must win all the cases, but a law officer must put in his best.

“When you are expected to go to court, and you don’t go; you’re expected to file a paper, and you don’t , and judgment is given against the government, such officer will be sanctioned for his or her negligence and lack of diligence. And there will be no compromise about that.”