Lagos MOJ, RoLAC Educate Stakeholders on Plea Bargain and Prosecutor Reforms
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Ikeja, the Lagos Ministry of Justice and RoLAC reviewed plea bargain and district prosecutor reforms aimed at faster, fairer justice delivery.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, recently hosted the Second Stakeholders’ Meeting on Plea Bargain and the District Prosecutors’ Scheme at Protea Hotel, Ikeja.
Addressing participants at the hybrid session (physical and virtual), the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, commended stakeholders for their active participation. He noted that their commitment reflects a shared vision of improving efficiency, fairness, and responsiveness within Lagos State’s criminal justice system.
“This meeting is a vital step in advancing reforms. The plea bargain mechanism helps to ease the burden on our courts and ensures quicker case resolution, while the District Prosecutors’ Scheme decentralises prosecutions and brings justice closer to the people,” Mr. Pedro stated.
He emphasised that the success of these reforms depends on transparency, collaboration, and sustained stakeholder engagement, urging participants to contribute practical solutions that will make the initiatives effective and sustainable.
In his welcome remarks, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their commitment to justice sector reform. He described the gathering as an opportunity to evaluate the implementation of both schemes and identify areas for improvement.
“These initiatives are central to ensuring access to justice, reducing case backlogs, and enhancing prosecutorial efficiency. We are optimistic that today’s engagement will deepen collaboration and drive sustainable impact,” Dr. Martins said.
The Lagos State Coordinator of RoLAC, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa, reiterated the programme’s commitment to supporting justice sector reforms in line with international best practices. She highlighted the achievements under RoLAC Phase I, including the development of a comprehensive plea bargain manual, sensitisation campaigns, and training for prosecutors, defence lawyers, and judges.
She noted that about 200 applications were received this year, with 170 successfully processed, but stressed that more needs to be done in raising awareness, ensuring transparency, and strengthening stakeholder participation.
The meeting featured panel discussions on the practical application of both initiatives. Dr. Babajide Martins moderated the sessions, while Prof. Akeem Bello of the University of Lagos led a discourse on “Plea Bargain in the Dispensation of Criminal Justice in Lagos State.” Mr. Adebayo Haroun, Senior Special Assistant to the Attorney General, facilitated a session on the District Prosecutor Scheme, highlighting the Ministry’s innovative efforts to bring justice closer to the people.
The event drew dignitaries including serving and retired judges, permanent secretaries from South-West states, the Controller of Corrections, representatives of law enforcement agencies, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), FIDA, Legal Aid Council, magistrates, facilitators, and legal officers from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
The gathering provided a platform for dialogue, experience-sharing, and the development of action points to strengthen the continued implementation of the Plea Bargain and District Prosecutors’ Scheme.
The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to sustained engagement with stakeholders to ensure that justice in Lagos is timely, fair, and accessible.
