By Amofokhai Williams
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), has unveiled sweeping reforms in the fight against land grabbing and human trafficking.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark his second year in office, Pedro said land grabbing remains a serious threat to property rights, social stability, and investor confidence in Lagos.
To combat the menace, he said the operations of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers have been reinforced, with a major stakeholders’ meeting in Sangotedo, Eti-Osa, bringing together community leaders, traditional rulers, lawyers, and residents to push a zero-tolerance stance against the practice.
According to him, the taskforce received 982 petitions in two years, of which 124 were confirmed as land-grabbing cases, saying that in each instance, provisions of the Lagos State Property Law were strictly enforced.
On human trafficking, Pedro disclosed that the long-dormant Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (LASTAHT) was revived under his leadership and is now fully functional with the support of NAPTIP, the Police, Immigration Service, civil society organisations, and state MDAs.
He noted that the taskforce now operates with a new operational bus provided by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu through the Lagos Security Trust Fund, enabling swifter rescue and monitoring missions.
Giving a recent example, Pedro said that on 12 September, 2025, seven Nigerian victims of sexual exploitation were successfully repatriated from Ghana to Lagos, profiled, counselled, and reintegrated into the justice process by the taskforce.
The Attorney General also stressed that none of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication of staff in the Ministry of Justice.
He highlighted new welfare measures including a retreat for junior staff, the first in 10 years, robe and litigation allowances, five new buses for lawyers, refurbished elevators for staff and visitors, and 10 flats at the newly commissioned Magistrates’ Quarters in Ketu to ease accommodation challenges for legal officers.
Pedro concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to integrity, innovation, and impact, noting that while significant progress has been made, the challenges of land grabbing, trafficking, and justice sector reforms demand greater resolve and collaboration going forward.
