Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), announced on Monday that the toxicology report and other forensic analyses conducted in the United States regarding the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad, have been completed.
He stated that the autopsy report is now with the Lagos State Pathologist and the coroner magistrate. Pedro made this disclosure during a press conference, where he addressed journalists on the upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting and his first-year commemoration in office, held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja.
Regarding the Mohbad case, Pedro acknowledged delays, attributing them to the time required for thorough investigations. “Forensic analysis, toxicology, and other procedures are essential to ensure a comprehensive investigation that can lead to a conviction if the case goes to court,” he said.
The Attorney General explained that the forensic examinations had to be carried out in the United States because the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.
Addressing the case of the female lawyer, Otike-Odibi, who killed her husband, Symphorosa Otike-Odibi, Pedro mentioned that the case had faced delays because the case file was among those lost when the Igbosere High Court was burned during the #EndSARS protests. He noted that the case had been reassigned to a new judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, following the retirement of the previous trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
Pedro emphasized that moving forward, no case would be allowed to exceed 24 months in court. He added that a bill to enact the Administration of Civil Justice Law has been forwarded to the state House of Assembly, aiming to ensure that litigation in trial courts does not exceed 18 to 24 months, and tenancy disputes are resolved within three to six months.
“The goal is to ensure fairness in tenancy disputes, preventing landlords from unjustly evicting tenants or tenants from exploiting legal delays to avoid paying rent,” he explained.
Pedro also stated that improvements have been made to reduce delays in legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and in the prosecution process. Additionally, the Lagos State Criminal Information System has been introduced to capture photographs, biometrics, and case details of all inmates in the state’s correctional centers.
He highlighted other innovations, including a proposed bill to establish the Lis Pendens Registry for land disputes, intended to protect potential buyers from unknowingly purchasing land involved in ongoing legal cases. This, he said, would boost confidence in real estate investments in Lagos.
Pedro also mentioned a proposed bill for a Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry, which would allow residents to obtain certificates for customary marriages and their dissolution.
The Attorney General noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved funds for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere and for the official housing of magistrates.
He announced an upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and enhancing law enforcement throughout Lagos State.
“This meeting is a direct response to insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May, where stakeholders emphasized the need for improved cooperation and coordination within the justice system,” Pedro said.
“It will provide a platform for engaging various stakeholders to harmonize the operations of MDAs, improve service delivery, and reduce government liability in land administration, physical planning, and environmental management.”
, announced on Monday that the toxicology report and other forensic analyses conducted in the United States regarding the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad, have been completed.){kind=link}