The Lagos State Government has joined the international community in marking the 2025 International Restorative Justice Week, with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, reaffirming the State’s commitment to strengthening humane and community-centred justice.
Speaking at a press briefing, Pedro said the global theme, “Restorative Justice as Human Rights,” aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly in the areas of security, governance, and justice reform.
He noted that the Lagos State Restorative Justice Centre, established in 2022 as Nigeria’s first structured restorative justice framework, has grown into a functional and impactful unit, having received 360 referrals with more than 80 percent successfully resolved.
According to the Attorney-General, the Centre’s interventions have led to reduced custodial remands, quicker justice delivery, eased court congestion and improved community harmony through victim-offender mediation, restitution agreements, non-custodial sentencing and multi-party conferencing.
He said most referrals have come from Magistrate Courts, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Office of the Public Defender and private practitioners, while identifying low police referrals as an area requiring stronger engagement.
Pedro noted that Lagos has become a national model in criminal justice innovation, with several states including Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Abia and Plateau as well as the Federal Capital Territory adopting elements of the Lagos restorative justice system.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, and international partners including the EU-funded RoLAC Programme, International IDEA, the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria and the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse.
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RoLAC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa, said public awareness and institutional adoption of restorative justice must be expanded.
She noted that referrals remain low compared to the high volume of minor offences in the criminal justice system and called for increased referrals from Magistrate Courts and the Police.
Speaking on behalf of the Solicitor-General, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, said the annual commemoration provides Lagos with a platform to reaffirm its leadership in justice sector reform and highlight progress recorded since the establishment of the Centre.
He said restorative justice remains central to the THEMES+ agenda in advancing people-centred justice, reducing court burden, supporting victims and promoting community peace.
The Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, Ms. Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, expressed appreciation to the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General for their support, noting that their commitment has strengthened the Centre’s operations.
She acknowledged the collaboration of the Judiciary, DPP, Public Defender’s Office, Community Service Unit, District Prosecutors, Police and international partners, adding that the Centre remains committed to expanding restorative practices and promoting peaceful conflict resolution across Lagos State.
