Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN

Q1.Tell us about your early journey into law and public service. What key experiences shaped your path to becoming Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State?

As a young boy of about 8 or 9 years old in Igbosere Road in Lagos Island every evening of weekends was for football game which I was one of the notable footballers, in fact my field name was “Pele”. But any day the family meeting took place in our House I usually missed the game because the meeting that was to commence by 4pm would be delayed till 5pm or thereafter and the meeting would end around 6.30pm by that time the football games would have ended or about to be. There was one man that was usually responsible for the delay as he would come late and nearly prostrate to apologize for his lateness which he normally attributed to his job. On one occasion after the meeting I asked my father, who presided at the meeting, why they had to delay the meeting for the arrival of the man and who he was. He answered “don’t you know he is a Magistrate and a very important person”. I then told my father I would like to be like that very important man when I grow up. I followed with another question ‘how can I be a Magistrate?’ My father responded - you have to be a lawyer like those gentlemen you see every morning in black suit and white shirt walking on Igbosere road to the court. This gentleman was Chief Magistrate Muheeb Kotun who later became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos. That was how I became interested in the practice of law. After being called to the Bar and completion of my NYSC, I started in the private practice before joining the Ministry of Justice. Since then my journey has largely been one of service within the Lagos State justice system. I joined the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in 1987 as a young State Counsel and spent close to three decades rising through the ranks of the civil service. During that period, I worked across almost all the directorates of the Ministry and later served as Director of Civil Litigation, where land and civil disputes formed a significant part of our work. In 2008 I was appointed Solicitor-General of the State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, in the same year I was conferred with the rank of SAN. My duties as Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary provided deep exposure to justice administration, governance advisory, inter-governmental relations, and policy formulation. In addition, I had the privilege of serving under three Attorneys-General of Lagos State, which gave me insight to the working of the office, strong institutional memory and continuity. I was Director of Civil Litigation to HE Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN when he was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. I was solicitor General and Permanent Secretary to Mr. Supo Shasore SAN as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice 2007–2011 and Mr. Ade Ipaye as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice 2011–2015. One milestone I remain deeply grateful for was being conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while in public service—the first Law Officer from a State Ministry of Justice in Nigeria to receive that honour. Becoming Attorney General, therefore, was not an abrupt transition but a continuation of a lifetime of service to the justice sector in Lagos State.

Q2.What personal values and principles guide you as a legal practitioner and as a public servant?

Integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law have always guided my career. Public service teaches you very quickly that institutions must be stronger than individuals. Decisions must be lawful, transparent, and defensible—especially in a state as complex as Lagos. I also believe strongly in discipline and fairness. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done, and it must be delivered with empathy. These values continue to guide how I approach leadership, reform, and decision-making as Attorney General of Lagos State.

Q3.You came into this office with a wealth of experience. How has your past legal career shaped the way you have approached your duties as Attorney General?

You are correct, I came into this office with a wealth of experience like no other Attorney General because the experience is from both public and private legal practice. In the public legal practice as a State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice I had the privilege to have been trained, tutored and motivated by some of the best legal minds of their time, they include; Mrs Dolapo Akinsanya as Director of Civil Litigation and Advisory, Mr. Abiodun Kessington Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Bode Rhodes Vivour as Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Ayo Phillips as Director of Civil Litigation, Mrs Doris Okuwobi Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, and Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey as Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary. Part of my public legal practice experience was my time as Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for 7 years which made me to understand the justice system from the inside—its strengths, limitations, and opportunities. My private legal practice from 2015 until my appointment in 2023 was an added advantage. Both my public and private legal practice experience shaped my preference for reforms that are practical, sustainable, and capable of real implementation. It has also influenced my emphasis on efficiency, institutional capacity, and staff welfare. In my view a justice system can only function effectively when the people running it are properly equipped, supported and well-motivated.

Q4.In your view, what sets Lagos State’s justice administration apart compared to other states?

Lagos is unique by every standard—population size, economic activity, diversity, and complexity. As a result, the justice system cannot remain static. What sets Lagos apart is the recognition that laws and institutions must be constantly reviewed and innovated to meet the realities of a modern mega-city. There is a deliberate culture of reform in Lagos and what set its justice administration apart is the understanding that effective justice administration is the necessary foundation for security, good governance, and economic growth.

Q5.One of your signature focuses has been the enhancement of the rule of law. What does “rule of law” mean to you in the context of Lagos State?

In Lagos State, the rule of law means voluntary compliance with the laws, regulations and due process by all, that is by government and the governed. In addition where there is breach or violation of a law, regulation or due process sanction must follow by efficient and effective enforcement. Without enforcement, laws and regulation are meaningless and justice loses its value. However, in the process of enforcement of laws and regulations in the State one disturbing trend I have observed was that some members of the public, NGOs and even media resort to sentiment, emotion, ethnicity and sometime blackmail to prevent government officials from enforcement of the law.

Q6.What major justice reforms have you championed, and how have they strengthened Lagos’ legal system?

On the administration of criminal justice, I am proud to state that in Lagos State I have now fully completed the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LSCIS) by which we can account for every single accused person that has contact with the courts and correctional facilities in the State by means of photographs and biometric identification. On the administration of civil justice, in collaboration with the Honorable Chief Judge of the State Honourable Justice Kazeem Olarewaju Alogba we have embarked on physical and structural reform of the justice system. The State Executive Council has also approved the Administration of Civil Justice Bill for legislative process by the House of Assembly into Law. I have also introduced a new Bill for a law on Registration of Marriages and Dissolution (other than Marriages under the Act).

Q7.How has your office tackled issues such as case backlog, court efficiency, and access to justice for ordinary Lagosians?

We have adopted both procedural and structural solutions. Plea bargaining has been expanded to reduce trial delays. Restorative justice mechanisms and community service sentences have reduced custodial congestion. We have also strengthened ADR institutions such as the Citizens Mediation Centre and the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse.

Q8.The New Lagos State Tenancy Law has been widely discussed. What were the core objectives of this law?

The objectives of the law include speedy dispute resolution, fairness in landlord-tenant relationships, abolition of discrimination, and regulation of agents in tenancy matters.

Q9.Lagos has also seen significant land law reforms. What were the most pressing problems these reforms aimed to address?

The primary challenge in the State land reform is land grabbing, which threatened property rights, social order, and investor confidence. Therefore, the state enacted the Property Protection Law.

Q10.Describe your working relationship with the judiciary in Lagos State.

While judicial independence is fully preserved and guaranteed in Lagos State, the executive still supports the judiciary through funding, infrastructure, accommodation and logistics to ensure effective justice administration.

Q11.How have you worked to protect judicial independence while ensuring accountability and efficiency?

There is no interference in judicial functions. Accountability and efficiency are pursued through institutional support rather than control.

Q12.What reforms have you introduced to enhance judicial integrity and public trust in the justice system?

Reforms are in the areas of technology, digitalisation, case tracking, e-filing, virtual hearing, transparent prosecution policies, and improved working conditions.

Q13.Access to justice for ordinary citizens is a recurring concern. What programs or policies have you introduced?

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) were elevated to Bureau status. We also strengthened the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and reactivated the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking.

Q14.What legacy do you hope to leave as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice?

I hope to leave behind a justice system that is efficient, humane, technologically driven, and trusted by the people.

Q15.What advice would you give to young lawyers and future public servants?

Maintain integrity, commit to excellence, and remember that law is fundamentally about service.

Q16.Any final thoughts for Law Digest readers?

Justice in Lagos State is a living system—constantly evolving. Much has been achieved, but more remains to be done.