The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has donated seven brand-new operational buses to the State Ministry of Justice.
The initiative, facilitated through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), underscores the administration’s commitment to building resilient governance structures and improving access to justice.
The official handover of the vehicles took place on Thursday at the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. The presentation marks the fulfilment of a pledge previously made by Governor Sanwo-Olu to improve the mobility and operational efficiency of the Ministry of Justice.
Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Ministry, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, commended the Governor for his unwavering support towards institutional development. He described the gesture as a “significant logistical boost” that will greatly ease the transportation challenges faced by legal officers and prosecutors across the state.
“This donation will go a long way in facilitating the smooth movement of our personnel, especially legal practitioners and prosecuting officers,” Pedro stated.
“Two of the buses have been specially designated for transporting offenders to and from courtrooms and correctional facilities. This will help expedite judicial proceedings and minimize unnecessary delays. Additionally, two vehicles have been assigned to the Special Taskforce on Human Trafficking, bolstering our fight against this social menace.”
The Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, also spoke at the ceremony. He highlighted the strategic nature of the donation, noting that this was the first time the Fund would be making such a direct intervention in support of the Ministry of Justice.
“This contribution is a reflection of the Governor’s clear understanding of the link between efficient justice delivery and overall security,” Dr. Balogun said. “The provision of these vehicles will enhance inter-agency coordination and promote the seamless execution of legal operations across Lagos State.”
In his own remarks, the Controller of Corrections for Lagos Command, Mr. George Daramola, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Justice for allocating two of the buses to the Nigerian Correctional Service. He stated that the vehicles would significantly reduce transportation delays and improve the safety and efficiency of offender conveyance operations.
Also in attendance, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, extended heartfelt gratitude to the Governor, the Attorney-General, and the LSSTF for their collaborative efforts in strengthening the rule of law.
“This initiative aligns with our overarching objective of building institutional capacity and promoting equitable access to justice for all residents of Lagos,” Oyenuga noted. “It is a strong testament to the administration’s vision for a responsive and efficient justice system.”
The donation of the buses marks yet another step in Governor Sanwo-Olu’s broader agenda to reform critical sectors, particularly the justice system, and ensure that the machinery of governance continues to serve the people effectively and responsibly.