Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has announced that the toxicology report and forensic analysis related to the late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as MohBad, have been completed.
According to The PUNCH, the results, conducted in the United States, are now with the Lagos State Pathologist and the coroner magistrate. Pedro shared this update during a press briefing on Monday at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, where he addressed inquiries about his one-year commemoration in office and a strategic stakeholders’ meeting.
He acknowledged delays in the MohBad investigation, explaining that the thorough nature of the inquiry required substantial time. “Yes, there has been a delay, which is due to the time needed for a full investigation. Forensic analysis and toxicology are essential parts of this process to ensure that we have sufficient evidence for prosecution,” Pedro stated.
He noted that the forensic examinations were conducted abroad due to the damage inflicted on the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.
In addition to discussing the MohBad case, the Attorney General provided updates on other significant criminal cases, including that of Otike-Odibi, a female lawyer accused of murdering her husband and mutilating his body. This case was delayed because the case files were destroyed when the Igbosere High Court was set on fire during the protests. However, it has now been reassigned to a new judge following the previous judge’s retirement.
Pedro assured that moving forward, no legal case in Lagos would extend beyond 24 months in court. “We are committed to ensuring that cases do not linger in the courts for years,” he emphasized. To facilitate this, the state has submitted a bill for the Administration of Civil Justice Law to the Lagos State House of Assembly. If enacted, this law will require civil cases to be resolved within 18 to 24 months and tenancy disputes within three to six months.
“The aim is to prevent tenants from owing landlords or landlords from unfairly evicting tenants while legal matters are pending. Notices will be issued, but we will not allow either party to exploit the legal process,” he added.
Pedro also outlined reforms designed to accelerate criminal justice proceedings, including the establishment of a Lagos State Criminal Information System to record biometric data and case details for all inmates in the state’s correctional facilities.
Another proposed reform is the creation of a Lis Pendens Registry, which will inform buyers of land disputes currently under litigation, enhancing transparency in real estate transactions throughout Lagos.
Additionally, he announced plans for a Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry, enabling Lagos residents to officially register customary marriages and obtain dissolution certificates.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved funding for the completion of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere and for providing official residences for 34 magistrates.
In closing, the Attorney General revealed a two-day strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. “This meeting is a response to insights from the Lagos Justice Summit in May, aimed at fostering cooperation among key stakeholders in the justice system to ensure that justice becomes a tangible reality for all Lagos residents,” he said. The meeting will focus on improving service delivery in land administration, physical planning, and environmental management through inter-agency collaboration.
