The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, has made a strong appeal to residents to embrace restorative justice practices. This initiative forms part of comprehensive efforts to decongest the state's overcrowded correctional facilities and alleviate the heavy caseload burdening the court system.
Official Call for Justice Reform
The urgent appeal was delivered on Thursday during a media briefing organized to mark the 2025 International Restorative Justice Week. The event, themed "Restorative Justice, Your Legal Rights," took place at the Lagos State Secretariat Ministry of Justice.
Ajibola Ajimakinwa, the State Project Coordinator for RoLAC, expressed concern about the current low adoption rates of restorative justice mechanisms. She emphasized the critical need to expand both public awareness and institutional acceptance of these alternative dispute resolution methods.
"We are actively seeking increased referrals from magistrate courts and even the police," Ajimakinwa stated. "Traditional justice has historically focused primarily on punishment and incarceration. Now we advocate for a different approach where victims and offenders can come together, discuss the incident and its impact, and reach mutual agreements that ensure accountability while addressing the victim's specific needs."
Proven Success and Expansion Plans
Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, highlighted the significant achievements of the restorative justice program. He revealed that the Lagos Restorative Justice Centre, established in 2022 as Nigeria's first such facility, has already received 360 referrals with remarkable success rates.
"Over 80 percent of these cases have been successfully resolved through various mechanisms including victim-offender mediation, restitution agreements, and community service sentencing," Pedro announced. "These positive outcomes have directly resulted in fewer individuals being remanded to correctional facilities and have significantly improved harmony within affected communities."
The Attorney General explained that restorative justice represents a cornerstone of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's THEMES+ agenda concerning security and governance. This aligns perfectly with the 2025 global theme, "Restorative Justice as Human Rights."
Addressing Implementation Challenges
Despite the program's demonstrated success, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges. Pedro expressed particular concern about the persistently low referral numbers from police authorities, despite the clear benefits restorative justice offers for policing and community relations.
"Increasing police involvement will remain a top priority for the Ministry," he affirmed.
Assessment data has identified Epe, Ikorodu, and Badagry as divisions with high volumes of cases suitable for restorative justice. However, these areas currently lack immediate access to the necessary structures. In response, the state government has initiated phased expansion efforts, including comprehensive sensitization campaigns and on-site engagements to ensure statewide coverage across all IBILE divisions.
Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, Head of the Restorative Justice Unit, clarified the scope of applicable cases. "Restorative justice applies to minor offences such as assault and stealing, as well as offences carrying imprisonment terms of three to seven years. Capital offences remain explicitly excluded from this process."
She emphasized that restitution, apology, and constructive dialogue often effectively repair harm and restore community trust, making restorative justice both a corrective measure and a peace-building tool. Referrals to the restorative justice unit can originate from multiple sources including the police, magistrate courts, or the Directorate of Public Prosecution.
The Ministry of Justice conducted targeted sensitization drives during the commemorative week in Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu, aiming to deepen public understanding of restorative justice and its substantial benefits for the community justice system.
