The Attorney General of Lagos State also known as Lagos State Commissioner for Justice is the head of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.[1][2] The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced".[3] The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the Ministry of Justice.[4] The Attorney General is appointed to a four-years term, with a maximum of two terms, by the Governor subject to the approval of the State House of Assembly.[5][6] The incumbent Attorney General is Lawal Pedro appointed on 13 September 2023.[7]
Attorney General of Lagos State | |
---|---|
since 13 September 2023 | |
Style | Mr. Commissioner (Informal) The Honorable (Formal) |
Appointer | Lagos State Governor nomination with House of Assembly confirmation |
Term length | 4 years |
Formation | 1968 |
Statutory duties
editBy Section 195 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the State and a Commissioner for Justice of the government of that State pursuant to the above provision”.[8] Also the Attorney General shall be the Head the Ministry of Justice, charged with the responsibility to provide a legal services and support for local law enforcement in the state and acts as the chief counsel in state litigation.[9] In addition, the Attorney General Oversees law enforcement agencies.[10][11][12]
History
editThe office was established in 1968, just a year after Lagos State was founded. Since the establishment of the office, sixteen officials had served in that capacity including Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. [13][14][12][15]
List of attorneys general
editSource: Lagos State Ministry of Justice
Chief Justice | Term |
---|---|
Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya | 1968–1973 |
Tajudeen Bankole-Oki, SAN | 1973–1975 |
Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN | 1975–1977 |
Chief Femi Alokolaro | 1977–1979 |
Jide Oki | 1979 |
Sanu Sobowale | 1979–1982 |
Chief Femi Alokolaro | 1982–1983 |
Airat Balogun | 1984–1986 |
Eniola Fadayomi | 1986–1990 |
Shafiu Alade Bashua | 1990–1992 |
Yomi Oshikoya | 1992–1994 |
Toyin Akerele Ayeni | 1994–1996 |
Muyibat Wonuola Folami | 1996–1999 |
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN | 1999–2007 |
Olasupo Shasore, SAN | 2007–2011 |
Adeola Rahman Ipaye | 2011–2015 |
Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem | 2015–2019 |
Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN | 2019 – 2023 |
Lawal Pedro, SAN | September 13, 2023- present |
References
edit- ^ "Lagos Rejects Court Decision on Environmental Sanitation, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Sanitation: Movement restriction still in force, says Lagos". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Lagos Attorney General Defends Ban on Hijabs in Schools, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Court Dismisses 'Deportation' Case against Lagos State, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Fashola Swears in Atilade as Lagos Chief Judge, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Sanitation movement restriction still in force –Lagos". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Mr. Lawal Pedro (S.A.N) - Lagos State Ministry of Justice". 18 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Lagos State Government". 23 April 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Court bars Lagos from privatising probate". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Judiciary Workers Suspend Strike in Lagos, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Review of Lagos State Criminal Law, inevitable - AG - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ a b "How a Pentecostal law professor has helped reshape Nigerian politics". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Meet Buhari's running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Finally, Buhari settles for Tinubu ally, Yemi Osinbajo, as running mate - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Mwalimu, Charles (2005). The Nigerian Legal System. ISBN 9780820471266. Retrieved 24 April 2015.