A Day at the Lagos State Law Reform Commission Stakeholder’s Meeting on the Review of Tenancy Law of Lagos State.- By Oluwatomi Ajayi Esq

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN in his opening remark stated that the aim of the stakeholder’s meeting was to address and deliberate on the issues contained in some of the provisions in the said Tenancy Law and equally make a comprehensive reform so that the Law will continue to be fair and just to all concerned, in view of the prevailing social conditions in Lagos. While acknowledging the numerous complaints received from the public on the Tenancy Law, Mrs. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman of Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions of the State House of Assembly in her goodwill message also stated that the purpose of the stakeholder’s meeting is to take a much-needed look into the Tenancy Law and bring it in consonance with the standards of best practice. She questioned the general delay encountered by property owners when they want to recover their premises and why some areas in Lagos are exempted from the Law. She noted that it is proper that everybody feels comfortable with the Law moreso that the present government in Lagos State is running a government of inclusion. Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, the Lagos State Attorney-General and the Commissioner of Justice on his own part emphasised that Lagos being a cosmopolitan city requires a cosmopolitan Tenancy Law which needs to key into the Change Mantra especially with the vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s policy to transform Lagos into a smart city. According to the AG, all efforts must be made to strike a balance between the interests of the Landlord and Tenant and address their concerns in accordance with global best practices. In other to find workable solutions towards impacting an effective legal framework in the relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the State, other speakers such as Dr. Omogbai Omo-Eboh, Dr. Taiwo Ajala, Mr. Orimolade respectively called for affordable and suitable housing policy, balance of interests between parties, tenancy rent control reform and need to insert arbitration clauses in tenancy agreements. Other issues concerning the procedure of obtaining vacant possession, determination of rent, collection of advance rent payment and the quiet enjoyment of demised premises were looked into. The speakers believed examining these issues will ease the differences between Landlords and tenants. Mr Ademola Sadiq, a member of LawRecom anchored the interactive sessions where all the stakeholders consisting of CDAs, CDCs, Landlords, Tenants, Legal Practitioners, High Court Judges, Magistrates, NGOs, Journalists and members of the public were able to express their grievances in the existing Tenancy Law while solutions were equally suggested in the process. On the whole, attendees were satisfied with the materials distributed and information gathered at the meeting. Obviously, this is in line with the Commission’s policy of public consultation where people are given an opportunity to have a say in laws that affect their interests. This shows the Commission is not disconnected from Lagosians. It must be noted that the Lagos State Law Reform Commission was established in 2012 to review and reform all Lagos State Laws in accordance with the prevailing social and moral values of Society. The Commission is a pacesetter in Nigeria and has been very proactive and consistent in making laws that are modern, fair and just. The current Chairman of the Commission is Prof. Gbolahan Elias SAN while the Executive Secretary is Mrs. Ade Adeyemo. *Article written by Oluwatomi Ajayi Esq… Member, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria ]]>