*Says Partial Implementation Of The Harmonization Of Salary Began Nov. 2021
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The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has debunked a report contained in an online publication that the welfare of state counsel is not being prioritized.
In a rebuttal by the Director of Public Affairs, Grace Alo (Mrs.), she noted that the report is disheartening.
Going further, she explained and run through the outstanding and laudable achievements of the Attorney General, whom the other news story to which her statement is responding had underestimated.
âThe attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been drawn to the above captioned malicious and false publication by a faceless online platform.
âThe Ministry finds it disheartening to read about the post circulating on social media platforms that the welfare and well-being of State Counsel entrusted under the care of the Ministry is being neglected.
âNothing can be further from the truth, as will show in this rebuttal. The Ministry puts the welfare and well-being of all its staff on the highest level of priority.
âOn assumption of office, one of the unresolved issues the Attorney General met on the ground was the request by State Counsel in the Ministry to have their salaries and allowances harmonized with that of Magistrates in Lagos State. This clamor for the reinstatement of special allowances to Law Officers had been in existence since the year 2000 and different administrations have made efforts to actualize the harmonizedsalary structure of State Counsel with that of the Magistrates.
âThe Attorney-General met with State Counsel on the issue and submitted a memo to Mr. Governor (Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu) seeking revalidation of previous approvals for the harmonization of salaries and allowances of State Counsel.
âThe Memo was approved by Mr. Governor in October 2021 and partial implementation of the harmonization of salaries and allowances commenced in November 2021, when State Counsel started receiving Security and Insurance Allowancesâ
She also noted that the only outstanding item in respect of the harmonization of State Counsel salaries and allowances with that of the Magistrates is the Responsibility Allowance and the same has reached the final stages of implementation.
Also, Mrs. Grace pointed out that the past couple of years, robe allowances of State Counsel were not only paid yearly but were in fact increased substantially by 500% based on representations and memos presented by the Attorney-General to Mr. Governor. She said that:
âApart from the above, other allowances are paid to State Counsel in their various departments depending on the schedule of duties.
âOn the issue of unpaid Litigation Allowance, unfortunately, the payment is delayed due to administrative issues relating to the CBN Cash Re-Design Policy which has nothing to do with the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as well as the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary.â
âContrary to the unsubstantiated allegations in the write-up, there was no approval for payment of allowances to State Counsel during the NBAâs AGC. The only approval obtained related to funds paid directly to the NBA for sponsorship of the AGC and funds for holding a Lagos State showcase session during the AGC. There was no item in the approval for payment of allowances to State Counsel who were sponsored to attend the Conference as falsely and maliciously alleged. It is therefore false to allege that the Attorney-General refused to pay or release funds for the payment of allowances due to the State Counsel who attended the Conference.â
In proving her declarations, she pointed out that the Accounting Officer of the Ministry is the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary and that the Attorney-General is not a signatory to any of the Ministryâs bank accounts. All issues relating to the disbursement and release of funds are not within the control of the Attorney-General. She also stated declaratively that:
âThere has been no maladministration in the Ministry of Justice, rather the Ministry under the watch of the Attorney-General has introduced innovations such as the Mentorship Scheme; the Secondment Programme (whereby State Counsel are posted to private law offices for a period of between 2-3 months to enable them to experience legal practice in the private sector); Counsel have continued to enjoy sponsorship to local and International Training and Conferences including the International Bar Association Conference; the District Prosecutor Scheme (State Counsel are posted to Magisterial districts to vet/filter charges filed by Police prosecutors); ensuring that all the Laws of Lagos State are available online in Law Pavilion; Drafting of over 23 Laws which have been passed and other pending Bills, including the Administration of Civil Justice Bill; Creating the first Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in the country among others.â
She noted also that neither the Ministry nor any of its senior officials were contacted for its reaction to the story. The faceless authors merely concocted and fabricated tales.
âThe allegations against the Office of the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary are most unfortunate as she has not only been forthright but of immense support to the State Counsel in the Ministry. Since the inception of this administration, the SG/PS has consistently championed the cause, welfare and well-being of State Counsel. The insinuation that the untimely passage to glory of our Counsel in the Ministry was due to work-related stress is not only a total falsehood but most disheartening, especially at a time when the leadership of the Ministry is yet to recover from the unfortunate incidentâ
In the conclusion, she stood on the grounds that the Ministry in carrying out its constitutional duties will continue to prioritizethe welfare and well-being of all its staff in addition to rendering quality service to the government and people of Lagos State.
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