The Lagos State government has commissioned a renovated Library at Lagos State Criminal and Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
In his address at the event, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), said the commissioning of the library is a demonstration of the commitment of the State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, to the Rule of Law in Lagos.
He added that the library would serve to educate Police Prosecutors on Legal issues in order to enable them attend more efficiently to legal matters in court and to further deepen their knowledge.
Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the event, Onigbanjo disclosed the request for renovation of the library was made by the State Commissioner of Police at a meeting held with the Governor, resulting in the directive to the Ministry of Justice to facilitate the refurbishment, renovation and equipping of the library.
Thee Attorney-General revealed that the library has been equipped with Computers, Photocopiers, Printers, Electronic research tools of the Law Pavilion and relevant books on the Laws of Lagos State, noting that more books would be supplied to the library on a yearly basis.
While urging Police Prosecutors to maximise the opportunity made available through renovation of the library and let it reflect in their presentations of cases before the Courts, the Commissioner solicited for a better cooperation between Police Prosecutors and the team of District Prosecutors, who have been placed in all State Magistrate Courts to vet charges before they are filed.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Police, CP. Hakeem Odumosu appreciated the laudable project executed by the State Government, reiterating that the Police are Law enforcement Officers who have good understanding of Laws of the State.
He gave an assurance that provision of the new library would help the Police keep abreast of Legal information to carry out their duties more efficiently both in and outside the Courts.
The Director of Public Prosecution, State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, stated that, if the library is well utilised by the Police Lawyers, it would ease the work of her office.
She, therefore, enjoined the Police Prosecutors to make adequate use of the library, adding that her Directorate is always prepared to organise training for Police Investigators and Prosecutors.
