Sexual Offences; Lagos Trains Magistrates On Effective Implementation Of Criminal Justice Law

In a bid to ensure effective administration of the Criminal Justice Law 2011 especially as it relates to sexual offences, the Lagos State Government has begun a workshop to ensure uniformity amongst Magistrates in the implementation of the provisions of the Law.

Speaking at the commencement of the workshop organised by the State Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary in partnership with the Legal Defence Assistance Project (LEDAP), Chief Judge of Lagos State Hon. Justice Olufumilayo Atilade said that the law was an innovation geared towards enhancing the administration of Criminal Justice in the State.

Atilade, who was represented by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mr Emmanuel Ogundare, called for better synergy among stakeholders in the Justice Sector Agencies, while deliberating on issues bordering on the interpretation of the Law, with particular reference to sexual offence cases.

According to her, sexual offences have become rampant in the society, adding that the method and procedure for handling the prosecution of these offences must be appraised critically. She urged all participants to look critically at those sections of the Law in order to ensure uniformity in its implementation.

She expressed optimism that the workshop would go a long way to ensure uniformity amongst Magistrates in the implementation of the provisions of the Law.