The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has urged lawyers in the state Ministry of Justice to strengthen professionalism, adopt digital transformation and improve accountability in the delivery of justice services.
Pedro made the call on Friday during the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting with state counsel held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The meeting, themed “Enhancing Service Delivery, Professional Excellence, and Justice Sector Reform,” focused on improving institutional performance, strengthening legal practice and advancing reforms within the justice sector.
The Attorney General described the Ministry of Justice as a critical institution in the administration of Lagos State, saying it remains “the principal legal institution of government entrusted with promoting justice, upholding the rule of law, and providing efficient and responsive legal services.”
He reminded legal officers that their responsibilities directly affect individuals, businesses and communities, stressing the need for diligence, integrity and commitment in 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.
Pedro said the ministry’s success should not be measured only by administrative processes but by the impact of its decisions on society.
“Our work is not merely about processes and procedures; it is about serving people, upholding justice, and advancing the public good,” he added.
He disclosed that the ministry would intensify performance evaluation across its directorates and departments during the second half of the year as part of efforts to improve efficiency and accountability.
“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 importance of technology in modern legal practice, noting that the justice system must adapt to global digital developments.
“The future of legal practice is increasingly digital,” Pedro said, identifying e-filing systems, virtual hearings, digital records management, legal research technologies and artificial intelligence as tools transforming the legal profession.
He, however, cautioned that the adoption of technology must be accompanied by strong safeguards.
“As we adopt these technologies, we must maintain the highest standards of data protection, cybersecurity and professional responsibility,” he said.
Pedro stressed that integrity remains central to 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 encouraged younger lawyers within the ministry to pursue continuous professional development, noting that future leadership opportunities would be based on competence, commitment 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 an institution that has produced some of Nigeria’s leading legal professionals, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, academics and former attorneys-general.
“The Ministry of Justice is not merely a workplace; it is a platform for professional growth, leadership and national service,” he said.
He 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.”
Pedro said sustained excellence and discipline remained essential for career advancement.
He reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the 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 could be achieved through continued commitment to excellence and institutional reforms.
Justice Iyabo Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, a former officer of the ministry, encouraged state counsel to remain dedicated despite professional challenges.
She urged lawyers not to be discouraged when their efforts appear unnoticed, noting that commitment and integrity eventually produce positive results.
“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, Hameed Oyenuga, described the meeting as an opportunity for reflection, evaluation and professional growth.
Oyenuga said the gathering provided a platform to assess performance in the first half of 2026, review ongoing initiatives, identify challenges and develop strategies for improved service delivery.
He said the meeting reflected the ministry’s commitment to “efficiency, innovation, accountability and institutional development.”
