Lagos AG Lawal Pedro Stresses Professionalism, Ethics for State Counsel

Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Lagos State, recently called upon legal practitioners within the state's Ministry of Justice to elevate their professional standards, adopt digital innovations, and reinforce accountability in the provision of justice services. Pedro delivered this message on Friday during the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting for state counsel, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja. The gathering focused on the theme: “Enhancing Service Delivery, Professional Excellence, and Justice Sector Reform.”

Emphasizing the ministry’s pivotal role in Lagos State governance, the Attorney General characterized it as “the principal legal institution of government entrusted with promoting justice, upholding the rule of law, and providing efficient and responsive legal services.”

Pedro reminded the legal officers that their duties directly impact human lives, highlighting the profound ethical obligations inherent in public legal service. He stated, “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 implored them to execute their responsibilities with unwavering diligence and integrity, underscoring that the ministry’s true influence is gauged by the individuals whose lives are touched by its rulings and actions, rather than by mere administrative tasks. “Our work is not merely about processes and procedures; it is about serving people, upholding justice, and advancing the public good,” he reiterated.

As part of its reform initiatives, Pedro announced that the ministry would intensify performance evaluations across all its directorates and departments during the latter half of the year. He also revealed intentions for strategic meetings with senior personnel to scrutinize institutional efficacy and bolster capacity development. “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 affirmed.

Furthermore, the Attorney General underscored the expanding significance of technology in contemporary legal practice, stressing the imperative for the justice system to adapt to global digital advancements. “The future of legal practice is increasingly digital,” he declared, enumerating tools such as e-filing systems, virtual hearings, digital records management, advanced legal research technologies, and artificial intelligence as transformative elements within the profession. However, he cautioned that technological adoption must be tempered with steadfast professionalism and robust safeguards. He advised, “As we adopt these technologies, we must maintain the highest standards of data protection, cybersecurity and professional responsibility.”

Pedro further stressed that integrity forms the bedrock of legal practice, imploring officers to consistently uphold principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and accountability. “Integrity remains our most valuable asset,” he stated, 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 also motivated younger lawyers within the ministry to engage in continuous professional development, asserting that competence and performance would be the primary determinants for leadership roles. “Going forward, leadership opportunities within the ministry will be driven by competence, integrity, commitment and performance,” he declared. The Attorney General proudly characterized the Ministry of Justice as a formative institution for many of Nigeria’s most eminent legal minds, referencing former officers who ascended to significant judicial and public service roles. He noted that the ministry has nurtured Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, academics, and past Attorneys-General who commenced their careers there. “The Ministry of Justice is not merely a workplace; it is a platform for professional growth, leadership and national service,” he emphasized.

Pedro additionally advocated for enhanced mentorship relationships between senior and junior counsel, underlining the critical need for robust succession planning within the justice sector. “Younger counsel must actively seek opportunities for learning and growth,” he advised, further remarking, “The future leaders of this Ministry and indeed of the legal profession are seated in this auditorium.” He concluded that consistent excellence and discipline represent the most reliable route to career progression.

The gathering itself functioned as a mid-year assessment forum, enabling the ministry to evaluate its performance, pinpoint existing challenges, and establish key priorities for the latter half of the year. Pedro reiterated his ambitious vision to elevate the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to become Nigeria’s foremost public law institution. “My vision is to further reposition the Lagos State Ministry of Justice as the premier public law office in Nigeria,” he declared, asserting that this aspiration is attainable through unwavering dedication to excellence and comprehensive institutional reform.

Justice Iyabo Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, herself an alumna of the ministry, encouraged the state counsel to maintain their resilience and dedication to excellence even when confronted with professional hurdles. She advised lawyers against losing heart if their efforts initially go unacknowledged, emphasizing that consistent diligence and integrity invariably bring forth rewards. “The principle of harvest remains constant. People eventually reap the rewards of the seeds they sow through hard work, dedication and integrity,” she stated.

Earlier in the proceedings, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, in his opening remarks, characterized the meeting as a crucial forum for introspection, assessment, and professional growth. He explained that the assembly offered a chance to review performance during the first half of 2026, evaluate current initiatives, identify obstacles, and fortify strategies aimed at enhancing service delivery. Oyenuga further highlighted that the meeting served to reaffirm the ministry’s dedication to “efficiency, innovation, accountability and institutional development.”

The event also included insightful panel discussions featuring distinguished legal professionals such as Professor Akeem Bello from the University of Lagos; Mr. Gbolahan Adeniran, who previously served as Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya (SAN) of Africa Law Practice; and Mr. Lanre Akinsola (SAN), Lead Partner at Priory Terrace Solicitors. These panelists offered their perspectives on leadership, integrity, career progression, and public service, while attendees deliberated on the ministry’s institutional performance and mapped out key objectives for the rest of the year.