Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), announced on Monday that the toxicology report and other forensic analysis conducted in the United States on the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, have been completed and are now in the possession of the Lagos State Pathologist and coroner magistrate. This marks a significant step forward in the investigation into the singer’s untimely death.
At a press conference held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, Pedro addressed questions surrounding the Mohbad case, acknowledging the delays in the investigation. “Yes, I agree there has been a delay, and the delay is caused by time taken for investigation,” he said. “Forensic analysis, toxicology, all these are part of the investigation. We need a full-proof investigation that can lead to conviction in a case that is presented before the courts.”
Pedro explained that the forensic analysis was conducted in the United States due to a setback at Lagos’ own forensic facilities. “The forensic examination would not have been done in the United States if the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre had not been burnt during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020,” he noted. The destruction of the center during the protests has caused significant delays in multiple investigations, including Mohbad’s case.
In another high-profile case, the AG addressed the murder of lawyer Symphorosa Otike-Odibi by his wife, a female lawyer who allegedly killed him and mutilated his body. Pedro said the case had also suffered delays due to the loss of important case files in the 2020 fire that ravaged the Igbosere High Court. “The case file was among documents that got burnt,” he revealed, adding that the matter has since been reassigned to a new judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, following the retirement of the previous judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
Pedro assured the public that his office is committed to speeding up the justice process, emphasizing that no case should take longer than 24 months to conclude in court. “No case will be allowed to last more than 24 months in court henceforth,” he declared. To enforce this, he mentioned that a bill for the enactment of the Administration of Civil Justice Law had been forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative consideration. Once passed, the new law would enforce a timeline of 18 to 24 months for litigation in trial courts, with tenancy matters being resolved within three to six months.
In addition to enhancing the speed of legal proceedings, Pedro revealed that the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had approved funds for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere. He also noted that 34 official flats for magistrates were being provided to improve working conditions and streamline judicial operations.
Finally, Pedro outlined plans for an upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week, aimed at improving inter-agency collaboration and enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State. “This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May,” he explained. “The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonizing MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning, and environmental management.”
In closing, Pedro stressed the importance of ensuring that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all Lagos residents. “One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice,” he said, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to creating a more efficient and accessible justice system.
