The government has recovered the sum of $1. 5 billion in outstanding taxes from a commercial bank as part of a wider effort to improve fiscal governance in Lagos State through Ministry of Justice enforcement actions.
At a press conference in Alausa on Tuesday, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro (SAN) made the disclosure.
In light of the significant accomplishments and milestones of his presidency so far, Pedro stated that one of his top priorities has been to improve the rule of law in fiscal governance to allow Lagos State to recover money legally, increasing the State’s ability to provide essential services to its citizens.
We created Revenue Courts within the Ministry at the High Court and Magistrate Court levels, along with a specialized Revenue Recovery Unit (RRU). These techniques have already started working. He noted that many businesses have responded to our pre-action protocol notices and begun paying or making arrangements to pay their outstanding tax liabilities.
One of the well-known banks that is currently undergoing our enforcement action paid the outstanding taxes of $1. 5 billion. In an effort to avoid sanctions, other banks are already attempting to resolve their outstanding tax liabilities. Now that the courts are back from vacation, let me use this opportunity to urge other State residents who are in default of paying any taxes or other revenues to take action immediately.
The Attorney General added that the Lagosi government’s position had been changed to facilitate quicker legal services, improve access to justice, and protect the rights of Lagosis.
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He argued that Lagos’s “justice is not an abstract ideal but a living reality shaping governance, protecting rights, and fostering inclusive economic growth.”
In addition to addressing issues that landlords and tenants face, Pedro also cited the review of the Lagos State Tenancy Law to address issues affecting both landlords and tenants as major highlights.
Pedro said if the Marriage Registration Bill is passed, it would give Lagosians access to marriage certificates as the first of its kind in the nation.
If passed, the Bill on Tenancy Law will encourage more real estate investments and make it simple for private developers to rent properties for the benefit of both the average and the poor.
The House of Assembly received a bill titled “Administration of Civil Justice Bill,” which mandates that trial court proceedings not last longer than 18 to 24 months and incur punitive costs of N1M for frivolous suits.
The Bill, if passed into law, will significantly improve the ability of citizens to access justice and make the law more foreseeable and favourable for businesses.
Pedro remarked that the environment should promote investment in our state.
One of the landmark victories under the AG’s leadership was Lagos’ decisive victory in the lottery case, in which the Supreme Court upheld the rule that states, not the Federal Government, have the authority to regulate lotteries and games of chance.
Despite this, he criticized the National Assembly’s attempt to pass a central gaming bill and criticized its violation of the apex court’s order.
He made it clear that the lawmakers’ contempt proceedings have been reintroduced to court.
Regarding criminal justice, Pedro cited Andrew Nice’s successful conviction for the rape and murder of Miss Bamise as evidence of the government’s unwavering commitment to justice.
Pedro claimed that the state has processed 361 plea bargain applications over the past two years, of which 314 were accepted and 37 were rejected.
Pedro added that 4,800 offenders served community service sentences, and 263 inmates were released under the Governor’s prerogative of mercy in the last two years.
There have been 348 cases where agreements have been reached, totaling 348. 45 cases are still being heard in court, while 111 cases have been decided on their merit.
The Lagos State Criminal Information System, which contains 78, 982 cases, including EFCC cases, has undergone significant reform, according to the Attorney General.
He claimed that “this system improves transparency, improves case management, and facilitates long-term planning for reforms.”
Pedro made it clear that he had signed 810 Regularization files and 738 Deemed Grants in the last two years in order to protect property rights.
He also made it known that 124 of the petitions were enforced against offenders and that the state’s Anti-Land Grabbing Taskforce had received 982 of them.
The Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, which has been operating with the assistance of NAPTIP, the Police, and other organizations, has also been reactivated, according to him.
He made note of the Task Force’s facilitation of Ghanaian repatriation of seven Nigerian victims earlier this month.
For the first time in a decade, Pedro described staff welfare retreats as being held for both junior and senior staff.
The Ministry also secured 10 flats as staff quarters at Ketu’s new Magistrates’ Quarters, five buses for lawyers, two elevators for staff and visitors, and five additional apartments.
The Citizens’ Mediation Center and the Office of the Public Defender were upgraded to Bureaus, with each having a Permanent Secretary.
The AG vowed that the Ministry of Justice would continue to be grounded in “integrity, innovation, and impact” while under his leadership.
