The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has urged lawyers in the state Ministry of Justice to deepen professionalism, embrace digital transformation, and strengthen accountability in the delivery of justice services.
Pedro made the call on Friday at the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting with state counsel held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The meeting was themed “Enhancing Service Delivery, Professional Excellence, and Justice Sector Reform.”
He said the ministry remained central to governance in Lagos State, describing it as “the principal legal institution of government entrusted with promoting justice, upholding the rule of law, and providing efficient and responsive legal services.”
The Attorney General reminded counsel that their work carries direct human consequences, stressing the ethical responsibility attached to public legal service.
“Every file on your table has a soul in it. Behind every brief, memorandum, case file or policy document is a person, a family, a business, or a community whose rights and future may be shaped by our actions,” he said.
He urged legal officers to approach their duties with diligence and integrity, adding that the ministry’s impact is measured not by paperwork but by lives affected through its decisions and interventions.
“Our work is not merely about processes and procedures; it is about serving people, upholding justice, and advancing the public good,” he added.
Pedro said the ministry would intensify performance evaluation across all directorates and departments in the second half of the year, in line with its reform agenda.
He disclosed plans for strategic engagements with senior officials to review institutional effectiveness and strengthen capacity building.
“In the months ahead, we shall place increased emphasis on performance review and accountability.
“Every directorate and department must continuously assess its effectiveness and measure outcomes against established targets,” he said.
The Attorney General also highlighted the growing role of technology in legal practice, noting that the justice system must evolve with global digital trends.
“The future of legal practice is increasingly digital,” he said, listing e-filing systems, virtual hearings, digital records management, legal research technologies, and artificial intelligence as tools reshaping the profession.
He, however, warned that innovation must be balanced with professionalism and safeguards.
“As we adopt these technologies, we must maintain the highest standards of data protection, cybersecurity and professional responsibility,” he said.
Pedro emphasised that integrity remained the foundation of legal practice, urging officers to uphold confidentiality, impartiality, and accountability.
“Integrity remains our most valuable asset,” he said, adding that “Public confidence in the ministry depends not only on the quality of our work but also on the character of those who perform it.”
He also encouraged younger lawyers in the ministry to pursue continuous development, noting that leadership opportunities would be driven by competence and performance.
“Going forward, leadership opportunities within the ministry will be driven by competence, integrity, commitment and performance,” he said.
The Attorney General described the Ministry of Justice as a training ground for some of Nigeria’s most distinguished legal professionals, citing examples of past officers who rose to prominent positions in the judiciary and public service.
He said the institution has produced Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, professors, and former attorneys-general who began their careers within the ministry.
“The Ministry of Justice is not merely a workplace; it is a platform for professional growth, leadership and national service,” he said.
Pedro also called for stronger mentorship between senior and junior counsel, stressing the importance of succession planning within the justice system.
“Younger counsel must actively seek opportunities for learning and growth,” he said, adding, “The future leaders of this Ministry and indeed of the legal profession are seated in this auditorium.”
He added that sustained excellence and discipline remained the surest path to career advancement.
The meeting also served as a mid-year review platform for assessing performance, identifying challenges, and setting priorities for the remainder of the year within the ministry.
Pedro reaffirmed his vision to reposition Lagos State Ministry of Justice as Nigeria’s leading public law institution.
“My vision is to further reposition the Lagos State Ministry of Justice as the premier public law office in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the goal was achievable through sustained commitment to excellence and institutional reform.
Justice Iyabo Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, a former officer of the ministry, encouraged state counsel to remain resilient and committed to excellence despite professional challenges.
She urged lawyers not to be discouraged when their efforts appear unnoticed, noting that diligence and integrity eventually yield rewards.
“The principle of harvest remains constant. People eventually reap the rewards of the seeds they sow through hard work, dedication and integrity,” she said.
Earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, in his welcome address, described the meeting as a platform for reflection, evaluation and professional development.
He said the gathering provided an opportunity to assess performance in the first half of 2026, review ongoing initiatives, identify challenges and strengthen strategies for improved service delivery.
According to him, the meeting underscored the ministry’s commitment to “efficiency, innovation, accountability and institutional development.”
The event also featured panel discussions with legal experts including Prof Akeem Bello of the University of Lagos, former Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Gbolahan Adeniran, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya (SAN) of Africa Law Practice, and Mr Lanre Akinsola (SAN), Lead Partner at Priory Terrace Solicitors.
The panellists shared insights on leadership, integrity, career development and public service, as participants reflected on institutional performance and outlined priorities for the remainder of the year.
... Lagos Attorney General Urges State Counsel to Uphold Performance Standards and Ethical Conduct ... Naijaonpoint.