The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the United States-based National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), has commenced a five-day advocacy and trial skills training for law officers of the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The programme, which is part of efforts to strengthen justice delivery through continuous professional development, brings prosecutors and defence counsel together for intensive sessions on courtroom advocacy, evidence management, professional ethics, cross-examination, case preparation and trial presentation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Hameed Olanrewaju Oyenuga, who represented the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the training as a significant initiative aimed at promoting fair and effective administration of justice.
Oyenuga stressed that justice goes beyond securing convictions, noting that the criminal justice system must remain fair to victims, defendants and society. He said contemporary legal practice requires continuous learning, ethical conduct and technical competence, particularly in case management, evidence handling, expert testimony and courtroom advocacy.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to modernising the justice system through sustained investment in the professional capacity of its law officers, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to their daily responsibilities to improve justice outcomes for Lagos residents.
The training also marks the 10th anniversary of the LASG-NITA collaboration, which has provided law officers with practical advocacy skills and opportunities for knowledge exchange between Nigerian and international legal practitioners.
Also speaking, the Director of the Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs Olubunmi Adesomoju, described the programme as a milestone in the long-standing partnership, saying the collaboration had contributed to strengthening advocacy practice and the administration of criminal justice in Lagos State.
She expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to expand and create more opportunities for professional development within the state’s justice sector.
