Lagos residents have recorded major gains in access to justice as the Lagos State Ministry of Justice resolved thousands of disputes, recovered billions for citizens, and expanded legal support services under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda.
Speaking at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s third year in office, which was held at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre on the 21st of May, 2026, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, disclosed that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has intensified protection for vulnerable residents, handling over 20,000 domestic and sexual violence cases while rescuing hundreds of children through expanded legal and social interventions.
The Commissioner revealed that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency managed more than 20,000 cases involving rape, domestic abuse, defilement, cyberbullying, emotional abuse, and sexual harassment between 2023 and 2026.
The Agency also inducted over 3,000 students into the Kings and Queens Club, relaunched the 6820# USSD support platform, and introduced the “Ask INU” AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot to improve reporting and support services.
In addition, the Bureau of the Public Defender received 27,457 petitions, handled 42,050 court cases, secured 1,759 judgments, and recovered over ₦301.5 million for indigent clients.
Pedro further disclosed that 262 vulnerable children were rescued while 2,575 children in conflict with the law received legal representation.
The Attorney-General noted that Lagos retained its position as Nigeria’s leading state in preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the third consecutive year.
These interventions reinforce the THEMES+ Agenda’s focus on inclusion, social protection, and human capital development.
