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The Lagos State Government has disclosed that over 400,000 cases involving landlord and tenant disputes, family matters, and monetary claims, etc, have been resolved in 17 years.
This was as the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), commended residents for promoting peace and harmony in Lagos.
These were revealed on Monday at an event to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Peace, marked globally on September 21.
The Director of the Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Biola Oseni, said the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” reflected both global and local efforts aimed at promoting justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
The CMC was first established in 1999 but became a statutory agency in the state government in 2007 following the enactment of the CMC Law.
Oseni acknowledged the United Nations’ ongoing work in cultivating peace worldwide, noting that through peacekeeping efforts and conflict resolution initiatives, the UN had been instrumental in stabilising regions and promoting sustainable development.
She disclosed at the CMC headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, that the centre had “mediated and resolved over 400,000 cases since its inception.”
These cases, she said, ranged from landlord-tenant disputes to family matters and monetary claims, reflecting the CMC’s commitment to fostering a just and peaceful society at the grassroots level.
“Peace is not just about the absence of war or conflict,” Oseni said, “but about creating a society where individuals can coexist in harmony, trust that justice will prevail, and resolve their differences through dialogue.”
While speaking, the AG, Pedro, highlighted the government’s commitment to creating a harmonious environment where disputes were addressed peacefully.
While emphasising the pivotal role of the Lagos CMC in promoting peace across the state, Pedro, who was represented by the Director of Commercial Law, Ministry of Justice, Kehinde Taiwo, said the centre had consistently provided support for individuals in conflict and had become a model for conflict resolution.
The Attorney-General lauded the CMC’s efforts in mediating disputes ranging from landlord-tenant issues to family disagreements.
“The impact of the CMC’s work cannot be overstated,” the AG said, adding that the centre had become a beacon of hope for many residents, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who seek peaceful resolutions rather than adversarial legal actions.
In response to the increasing demand for accessible mediation services, the state government also revealed that it was planning new offices in Alimosho and Ketu.
