Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law of Lagos State, 2021, which prohibits the parade of suspects before trial.
The state’s attorney-general and commissioner for justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, in a statement on Tuesday, said the governor signed the law on September 30, 2021.
Mr Onigbanjo said the law was first passed in Lagos in 2007 and amended in 2011.
“In a bid to further strengthen the justice system, promote the rights of victims and suspects as well as address the issue of delay in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Lagos State, key innovative provisions have been introduced as amendments to the law,” he said in the statement.
“The provisions include conducting criminal proceedings through audio and video conferencing platform; the powers of Chief Magistrates to visit police stations; the prohibition of media parade of suspects; compensation to victims of crime; protective measures for victims and witnesses as well as the establishment of a Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee to monitor the implementation of this law.”
Onigbanjo stated that the introduction of the provisions reinforced the commitment of the government to the promotion of law and order, protection of rights of citizens, decongestion of correctional facilities, and ensuring a crime-free society in Lagos State.
