Lagos Approves New Bills on Land Disputes, Marriage Registration

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has approved two significant bills aimed at enhancing land administration and the regulation of marriages across the state. The bills are set to be transmitted to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative action.

One of the bills proposes the establishment of a Lis Pendens Registry—a central database for registering properties undergoing litigation. The move is designed to protect the public from unknowingly transacting in disputed properties.

The second bill seeks to create a Marriage and Dissolution Registry that will oversee the registration of all forms of marriages within the state and issue corresponding certificates.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, made these disclosures during the Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Pedro also revealed that the Ministry of Justice has prepared a proposed amendment to the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2016. The amendment aims to curb exploitative rent hikes, address issues around unpaid rent arrears, and expedite tenancy-related litigation.

In addition, the ministry has consolidated three existing bills on sexual and domestic violence into a single draft legislation. The harmonised bill, once passed, will provide a stronger legal framework for addressing gender-based violence and harmful practices in Lagos.

On criminal justice reforms, Pedro highlighted the introduction of the Lagos Criminal Information System—a digital platform designed to streamline the management of criminal cases across the state’s Magistrates’ and High Courts.

Speaking on the state of correctional facilities, he disclosed that as of May 2025, Lagos custodial centres were operating at 106% over their intended capacity, housing a total of 9,096 inmates.

He further noted that crime data showed the top three hotspots for criminal activities in the state were Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki, with the majority of suspects originating from neighbouring Ogun and Oyo States.