The Attorney General of Lagos State also known as Lagos State Commissioner for Justice is the head of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced". The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney General is appointed to a four-years term, with a maximum of two terms, by the Governor subject to the approval of the State House of Assembly. The incumbent Attorney General is Lawal Pedro appointed on 13 September 2023.
Statutory duties
By Section 195 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the State and a Commissioner for Justice of the government of that State pursuant to the above provision”. Also the Attorney General shall be the Head the Ministry of Justice, charged with the responsibility to provide a legal services and support for local law enforcement in the state and acts as the chief counsel in state litigation. In addition, the Attorney General Oversees law enforcement agencies.
History The office was established in 1968, just a year after Lagos State was founded. Since the establishment of the office, sixteen officials had served in that capacity including Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
List of attorneys general Source: Lagos State Ministry of Justice Chief Justice Term Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya 1968–1973 Tajudeen Bankole-Oki, SAN 1973–1975 Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN 1975–1977 Chief Femi Alokolaro 1977–1979 Jide Oki 1979 Sanu Sobowale 1979–1982 Chief Femi Alokolaro 1982–1983 Airat Balogun 1984–1986 Eniola Fadayomi 1986–1990 Shafiu Alade Bashua 1990–1992 Yomi Oshikoya 1992–1994 Toyin Akerele Ayeni 1994–1996 Muyibat Wonuola Folami 1996–1999 Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN 1999–2007 Olasupo Shasore, SAN 2007–2011 Adeola Rahman Ipaye 2011–2015 Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem 2015–2019 Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN 2019 – 2023Lawal Pedro, SANSeptember 13, 2023- present
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