Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, commissioned the first DNA forensic centre in West Africa, saying that the move would go a long way in resolving all forms of crimes, paternity issues and others through technology which is the modern trend across the world.
Governor Ambode said the completion and handing over of the centre located at Odunlami Street on Lagos Island was a significant milestone and a symbolic manifestation of his administration’s policies in reforming the justice sector and in line with his vision to make the state safe for residents and investors.
He said the state government, with the completion of the centre, is joining other advanced countries of the world which had embraced technology to make life easier for people in all spheres of existence.
“From the domestic front to our places of work; from the way we learn, to doing business, the use of technology has become a way of life.
You will, therefore, understand why our administration had no hesitation in approving this project which serves amongst other things, as an effective method of bringing perpetrators of crime to book and ensuring quick dispensation of justice,” Ambode said.
Giving details of the centre, Ambode said the facility has capacity to provide the police, prosecutors, defence attorneys and private citizens with crime scene processing; serological screening for blood and semen; DNA analysis of bone, teeth and hair; maternal and paternal relationship DNA analysis; expert witness and case handling services; paternal and maternal ancestry DNA analysis; cold case file review and mass disaster human identification.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, said the centre would assist the State to have a reliable DNA database that would enable investigators and law enforcement officers identify crime patterns and suspects, and also help exonerate or convict suspects.
On his part, the Consul General of United States Embassy in Lagos, John Bray, congratulated Ambode and the people of the state for successfully completing the building of “the first DNA Forensic Centre not only in Nigeria but in West Africa,” saying that the development would enhance justice and progress.
Bray, who had worked as a law enforcement officer in United States for 25 years before being posted to Lagos, said the state government deserved commendation for the foresight and vision to undertake such project as the DNA Forensic centre, adding that there was no question about the fact that the facility is of world-class standard.
Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Abayomi Olonishakin, represented by Rear Admiral Lawal Modu Adams, said the centre was a significant milestone in the country’s fight against all forms of crime including terrorism.
Acting Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, said the completion of the centre was another first and one of the greatest moves by any state government towards boosting security and justice delivery.
He said with the opening of the centre, the state police command would now reopen unresolved high-profile cases hitherto frustrated by lack of solid evidence.
“I am perhaps the happiest person here today because this will enhance my job. We have a lot of pending high-profile cases that we have not resolved yet. These cases, we intend to revisit with this new centre coming on board,” the CP said.
