LASG, EU Rolac Push Restorative Justice To Decongest Prisons

Lagos State Ministry of Justice, join hand with EU-funded RoLAC programme, don call on residents make dem embrace restorative justice to help decongest prisons and reduce load for di courts. Di call come during 2025 International Restorative Justice Week wey dem hold for Ministry of Justice, tagged: “Restorative Justice, Your Legal Rights.” RoLAC Project Coordinator, Ajibola Ajimakinwa, talk say public awareness and adoption of restorative justice still dey low compared to di plenty minor offences wey dey enter di system. She explain say now, instead of only punishment, di victim and offender fit meet, discuss wetin happen, di impact and reach agreement wey dey fair, hold di offender accountable and also meet di victim needs. Ajimakinwa add say restorative justice dey humane, efficient, and fit reduce overcrowding for correctional centres, and Ministry of Justice don carry sensitisation drives for Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu to educate people on di benefits.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), talk say restorative justice don become key tool for healing, accountability and rehabilitation. Di Lagos Restorative Justice Centre, wey dem start for 2022, dey help ease court pressure, reduce pre-trial detention, and promote peaceful community life. Pedro reveal say di Centre don receive 360 referrals, with over 80% resolved through victim-offender mediation, restitution, and community service, which dey reduce number of people for prison and improve community harmony. He lament say police dey give few referrals despite di clear benefits, and increasing dem involvement na priority. Head of Restorative Justice Unit, Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, add say di process dey for minor offences like assault and stealing, and some offences with 3–7 year imprisonment, but capital offences no dey included. Di process dey use restitution, apology and dialogue to repair harm and restore community trust, making di system both corrective and peace-building.