Attorney General of Lagos State


The Attorney General of Lagos State also known as Lagos State Commissioner for Justice is the head of the Lagos State [Ministry of Justice].
The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced". The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney General is appointed to a four-years term, with a maximum of two terms, by the Governor subject to the approval of the Lagos State [House of Assembly|State House of Assembly].
The incumbent Attorney General is Lawal Pedro appointed on 13 September 2023.

Statutory duties

By Section 195 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the State and a Commissioner for Justice of the government of that State pursuant to the above provision”. Also the Attorney General shall be the Head the Ministry of Justice, charged with the responsibility to provide a legal services and support for local law enforcement in the state and acts as the chief counsel in state litigation. In addition, the Attorney General Oversees law enforcement agencies.

History

The office was established in 1968, just a year after Lagos State was founded.
Since the establishment of the office, sixteen officials had served in that capacity including Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

List of attorneys general

Source:
Chief JusticeTerm
Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya1968–1973
Tajudeen Bankole-Oki, SAN1973–1975
Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN1975–1977
Chief Femi Alokolaro1977–1979
Jide Oki1979
Sanu Sobowale1979–1982
Chief Femi Alokolaro1982–1983
Airat Balogun1984–1986
Eniola Fadayomi1986–1990
Shafiu Alade Bashua1990–1992
Yomi Oshikoya1992–1994
Toyin Akerele Ayeni1994–1996
Muyibat Wonuola Folami1996–1999
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN1999–2007
Olasupo Shasore, SAN2007–2011
Adeola Rahman Ipaye2011–2015
Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem2015–2019
Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN2019 – 2023
Lawal Pedro, SANSeptember 13, 2023- present