Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has confirmed that the toxicology report and forensic analysis on the late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, have been completed.
According to The PUNCH, the results, which were conducted in the United States, are now in the possession of the Lagos State Pathologist and the coroner magistrate.
Pedro disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, while addressing questions from journalists about his upcoming one-year commemoration in office and the strategic stakeholders’ meeting.
He acknowledged the delays in the Mohbad case, attributing them to the time required for a comprehensive investigation.
“Yes, I agree there has been a delay, and the delay is caused by time taken for investigation. Forensic analysis, toxicology, all these are part of the investigation. Full proof investigation that can lead at least to conviction in a case that is presented before the courts,” Pedro said.
Pedro also explained that the forensic examinations had to be conducted abroad due to the destruction of the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.
In addition to addressing the Mohbad case, the Attorney General provided updates on other ongoing criminal matters, including the case of Otike-Odibi, a female lawyer who was charged with murdering her husband and mutilating his body.
He revealed that the case had been delayed because the case files were destroyed when the Igbosere High Court was torched during the #EndSARS protests. However, the case has now been reassigned to a new judge following the retirement of the previous judge.
Pedro assured that moving forward, no legal case in Lagos would be allowed to last more than 24 months in court.
“We are determined to ensure that cases do not drag on for years in the courts,” he said. To this end, the state has forwarded a bill for the enactment of the Administration of Civil Justice Law to the Lagos State House of Assembly. If passed, the law will ensure that civil cases are concluded within 18 to 24 months, while tenancy matters will be resolved within three to six months.
“The idea is to ensure that no tenant owes his landlord or that a landlord cannot unfairly eject a tenant when a matter is before the court. Notices will be given, but we will not allow either party to use the legal process as an instrument of oppression,” Pedro explained.
He further announced reforms aimed at speeding up criminal justice proceedings, including a newly established Lagos State Criminal Information System, which will document the biometric data and case details of all inmates in the state’s correctional facilities.
Another significant reform is the proposed creation of a Lis Pendens Registry to provide information on land disputes currently under litigation.
This initiative, Pedro said, would reduce the likelihood of buyers unknowingly purchasing land embroiled in legal battles, thereby boosting confidence in real estate transactions across Lagos.
Additionally, Pedro unveiled plans for a Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry, which will allow Lagos residents to officially register customary marriages and obtain certificates of marriage dissolution.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also approved funding for the completion of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere and for the provision of official quarters for 34 magistrates, Pedro disclosed.
The Attorney General concluded by announcing a two-day strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
“This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit in May. It aims to enhance cooperation among key stakeholders in the justice system to ensure justice is not just an ideal but 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.
(PUNCH Metro)
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