The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has urged speedy hearing for revenue cases in court to avoid slowing down governance.
Pedro spoke at a Revenue Recovery Summit tagged “Speedy Dispensation of Revenue Cases in Court,” organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
A Monday statement noted that stakeholders at the event described the event as a step towards enhancing the state’s financial integrity and justice delivery system.
Delivering his keynote address, Pedro emphasised the urgency of the summit, noting that revenue is the lifeblood of public service delivery across sectors such as healthcare, education, security, sanitation, and infrastructure.
Pedro stated that when revenue is trapped in prolonged legal processes, the true cost is borne by ordinary citizens.
The AG also reiterated Lagos State’s strategic interventions to fast-track revenue cases, including the commissioning of the Commercial Courts Complex in Tapa, Lagos, which is currently serving as the designated Revenue Court, as well as the creation of a Revenue Recovery Unit within the ministry
He pointed out that legal frameworks such as the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the recently enacted Tax Administration Act 2025 already empower the government to pursue outstanding revenue efficiently and transparently.
The Attorney General called on members of the judiciary, revenue authorities, and legal practitioners present to commit to practical solutions that will ensure expeditious resolution of tax and revenue disputes.
“The government’s policy is very clear: all revenue matters must be heard and determined speedily. Delay in revenue cases is a delay in governance,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, represented by Justice Hakeem Oshodi, reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to judicial efficiency and innovation.
“Justice delayed is indeed revenue denied,” he stated, pledging continued collaboration with all revenue-generating agencies and the Ministry of Justice.
