Lagos files 1,485 Criminal Charges, frees 397 Inmates, saves N1.25bn

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has intensified reforms within the criminal justice sector, issuing 2,342 legal advices, filing 1,485 criminal charges, releasing 397 inmates through the Prerogative of Mercy initiative, and saving over N1.25 billion through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms between 2023 and 2026.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, disclosed this on Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice held to commemorate the third year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Pedro said the reforms were aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice, decongesting custodial centres, and restoring public confidence in the justice system.

On criminal prosecution, Pedro disclosed that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions received 2,620 case files for legal advice during the review period and successfully issued 2,342 legal advices, while 279 matters remained pending.

He added that the directorate filed 1,485 criminal charges and processed 770 plea bargain applications, approving 687 applications and rejecting 68 others as part of efforts to reduce congestion in courts and accelerate criminal trials.

Through the District Prosecutors Scheme, Pedro said the directorate handled 12,846 case files, approved 11,680 cases for prosecution, declined 768 matters, and returned 18 unresolved files to the courts for further proceedings.

“The activities of the Directorate significantly enhanced the efficiency of criminal justice administration, promoted speedy dispensation of justice, reduced unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings, and reinforced public confidence in the justice system,” Pedro said.

The Attorney-General also addressed several high-profile criminal matters that generated national attention, including the Owode Onirin killings involving six traders, the inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and the detention case involving teenager Michael Adebiyi.

Pedro maintained that legal advice issued by the ministry in such matters was strictly evidence-based and free from political influence or public pressure.

He also highlighted notable convictions secured by the state, including the conviction of BRT driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, and life imprisonment sentences handed to medical doctor Olufemi Olaleye and cleric Chris Mcdouglas Omosekpea in separate rape and defilement cases.

Pedro further disclosed that several high-profile cases, including the murder trial of alleged “Killaboi” suspect Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, remained ongoing before the Lagos High Court.

On prison decongestion and rehabilitation, the Attorney-General revealed that the state government approved the release of 397 inmates from correctional facilities through the Prerogative of Mercy exercise between 2023 and 2025.

According to him, the Lagos State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy reviewed 963 applications within the review period, recommended 397 inmates for release, commuted nine death sentences to life imprisonment, and granted one full pardon.

“The Prerogative of Mercy is the constitutional power vested in the Governor to grant relief to a person convicted of a criminal offence, usually after conviction and sentence. It is an act of grace or clemency exercised in appropriate circumstances to mitigate the rigours of the law,” Pedro stated.

The Attorney-General said the exercise formed part of broader criminal justice reforms aimed at promoting rehabilitation, fairness, and decongestion of custodial centres across Lagos State.

Pedro also highlighted major achievements recorded by the Directorate of Advisory Services and Judicial Liaison through alternative dispute resolution initiatives.

He disclosed that the directorate resolved about 3,000 petitions out of approximately 5,000 received during the review period, issued about 1,500 legal advices, attended nearly 500 disciplinary board meetings, and conducted over 2,000 pre-action protocol meetings.

According to him, strategic mediation and legal intervention helped the state government avoid potential liabilities exceeding N1.25 billion.

“During the period under review, the Directorate has prioritised ADR/conflict resolution over litigation, resulting in significant financial savings for the State Government and the restoration of public trust through amicable settlement of grievances,” Pedro said.

He cited the successful resolution of a copyright infringement dispute involving a state agency where mediation reduced a potential liability exposure of over N1.26 billion to a settlement sum of N3 million.

Pedro added that the directorate also resolved several pension, gratuity, land, contractual, and welfare-related disputes, helping to reduce pressure on courts and maintain administrative stability.

In a related development, the Attorney-General disclosed that the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee resolved 8,112 estate-related petitions and facilitated the payment of over N769.6 million to beneficiaries between May 2023 and April 2026.

He said the office received 9,826 petitions during the review period, representing an 85 per cent resolution rate, while over 3,000 estates were partitioned to ensure prompt inheritance distribution to beneficiaries.

Pedro further revealed that the office generated more than N221.1 million revenue for the state government and handled over 320 estate-related matters before Magistrate and High Courts across the state.