The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the U.S. based National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), has commenced a five-day intensive advocacy and trial skills training for state prosecutors and public defenders.
The capacity-building program targets law officers from the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), marking the 10th anniversary of the LASG-NITA partnership, which began in 2016.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hameed Olanrewaju Oyenuga, noted that justice extends beyond obtaining convictions to ensuring fairness for victims, defendants, and society. He underscored the importance of continuous legal education, courtroom advocacy, and ethical grounding in modern practice.
Director of the BPD, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju, commended the sustained collaboration, describing it as a flagship milestone that enriches legal practice across Lagos State through local and international knowledge exchange.
Keynote speaker and NITA Team Head, Judge Ann Claire Williams, urged prosecutors to uphold high ethical standards while encouraging defense counsel to offer zealous representation, framing the training as a shared commitment to the rule of law.
