By Henry Ojelu

LAGOS — Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has declared that most cases of injustice, exploitation and abuse suffered by residents of Lagos are not due to the absence of legal institutions, but widespread ignorance of existing justice mechanisms and failure to utilise them.

Pedro made the assertion on Tuesday at a media parley with judiciary editors and correspondents, where he defended government policies on enforcement, demolitions, criminal justice administration and judicial delays, while placing significant responsibility on public awareness and media engagement.

According to him, Lagos has one of the most elaborate justice-support infrastructures in the country, but citizens continue to suffer because they do not know where to seek help or how to trigger government intervention.

“The structures are already there. The challenge is that people do not know where to go,” Pedro said.

Justice system built for the poor, but underutilised

Pedro explained that the Lagos State Government deliberately established institutions such as the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Administrator-General and Public Trustee, Public Advice Centre, and Citizens’ Rights Directorate to protect indigent and vulnerable residents from injustice.

He stressed that the OPD is not limited to criminal defence but also handles civil claims, mediation, estate disputes and, in appropriate cases, prosecution on behalf of citizens who cannot afford private lawyers.

“These offices exist to ensure that no one is denied justice because of poverty,” he said.

On estate matters, Pedro said the Administrator-General Law empowers the state to intervene where individuals die without a will, especially to prevent family property from being unlawfully sold or children deprived of inheritance.

Media challenged to stop amplifying outrage without solutions

In a direct challenge to the media, the Attorney-General urged journalists to go beyond reporting human-interest outrage and instead educate the public on practical pathways to justice.

“When injustice happens, the media should ask: where should the poor go? Who should they report to? That information must be part of the story,” he said.

Pedro said the Ministry of Justice remains open to structured collaboration with the media, including training, workshops and regular briefings, to improve legal literacy among citizens.

Enforcement failures tied to silence, not state inaction

Addressing complaints about weak enforcement of laws, Pedro said many violations persist simply because they are never formally reported.

“If nobody complains, the issue is not brought to our attention and we cannot act,” he said, citing noise pollution from religious centres and environmental nuisances as examples.

He assured that once complaints are lodged, the Ministry of Justice issues directives and compels relevant agencies to act.

Demolitions: law, safety and accountability

On the politically sensitive issue of demolitions, Pedro insisted that Lagos does not demolish properties arbitrarily, arguing that public safety and compliance with planning laws remain paramount.

“There is a law that says before you erect a structure, you must obtain approval. When buildings are erected on waterways or unsafe locations, they pose risks to lives,” he said.

He added that demolition notices are issued where structures are unsafe or illegal, and that government does not condone unlawful development.

However, Pedro acknowledged that where citizens complied with the law and were wrongly affected, legal remedies — including compensation for inconvenience — are available.

Judiciary overwhelmed, not indifferent

Responding to criticism over delays in matrimonial, probate and civil cases, Pedro said Lagos courts are overwhelmed by volume, not inefficiency.

“Judges are human beings. You cannot expect one judge to handle dozens of cases daily,” he said, noting that Lagos handles far more cases than most states.

He disclosed that plans are underway to appoint more judges once court reorganisation is completed, and that reforms under the administration of civil justice are designed to shorten trial timelines.

Criminal justice: evidence, not emotion, drives outcomes

Pedro said prolonged criminal trials are often caused by weak investigations, missing complainants or unreliable evidence.

“No matter how brilliant a prosecutor is, if evidence is weak, the case cannot succeed,” he said.

He defended the use of plea bargaining in appropriate cases, especially where continued prosecution would amount to injustice or further strain correctional facilities.

On sexual offences, he stressed that strong evidence and complainant participation remain essential, warning that courts must act strictly in accordance with the law.

Infrastructure, prisons and security gaps

Pedro disclosed that the state has approved renovations of correctional and recreational facilities, including provision of buses and infrastructure upgrades to improve justice administration.

On security, he made a strong case for state policing, arguing that enforcement agencies are often crippled without police backing.

“Without police support, enforcement becomes ineffective. State policing will enhance efficiency, provided there are checks and balances,” he said.

Transparency, youth engagement and public trust

The Attorney-General reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to transparency and fairness, while announcing plans to deepen youth engagement on legal rights and responsibilities.

He concluded that rebuilding public trust in the justice system requires sustained media engagement, citizen participation and accurate understanding of how the law works.