The Lagos State government, through its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), has vowed to protect landlords from financial losses due to prolonged tenancy disputes in court.
Pedro who declared during a press conference said that no tenant will be allowed to hold on to a landlord’s money under the guise of a pending tenancy matter before the courts.
Pedro said a bill will be passed to ensure that tenancy matters are dispensed with at the court between three to six months.
“The idea is to ensure that no tenant owes his landlord or the landlord is ejecting his tenant when a matter is before the court.
“Notices would be given but we would not allow it to be used as an instrument of oppression by either the tenant or landlord,” he said.
He said no tenant would be allowed to go away with his landlord’s money because the matter was in court.
Pedro also said that in the Criminal Justice System, delays in DPP legal advice and prosecution had been addressed.
He added that the Lagos State Criminal Information System had been established to capture photographs and biometrics and identify the cases of all inmates in the correctional centres in the state.
Pedro listed other innovations introduced to include the bill for the establishment of the Lis Pendens Registry on land matters.
“The registry aims to serve as a repository of information on land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land that is subject to litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice.
“This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from ongoing court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the state,” he said.
Pedro disclosed that another Bill being proposed is the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the registration of customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages.
He stated that this would give the people of Lagos State the opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.
The AG noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved funds for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere and the payment of 34 flats official quarters for the magistrates.
He announced the upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
He said the meeting would strengthen inter-agency collaboration and improve the enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State.
“This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May, where key stakeholders identified the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination within the justice system.
“One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice and ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all residents of Lagos State.
“The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonising MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management,” he said.
