Lagos commissions ‘first state-owned DNA forensic centre in West Africa’

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday commissioned what he described as the first state-owned DNA Forensic Centre in West Africa, saying the move would go a long way in resolving all forms of crimes, paternity issues and others issues through technology which is the modern trend across the world.

Governor Ambode said the completion and handing over of the centre, located at Odunlami Street in Lagos Island, was a significant milestone and a symbolic manifestation of his administration’s policies in reforming the justice sector and in line with his vision to make the State safe for residents and investors.

He said the state government, with the completion of the centre, is joining other advanced countries of the world which had embraced technology to make life easier for people in all spheres of existence.

Mr. Ambode said, “From the domestic front to our places of work; from the way we learn, to doing business, the use of technology has become a way of life. You will therefore understand why our administration had no hesitation in approving this project which serves amongst other things, as an effective method of bringing perpetrators of crime to book and ensuring quick dispensation of justice.”

The governor recalled that from inception, his administration realised that security was key to good governance and sustainability of investment to make life better for the people.

He said that necessitated the heavy investment in security equipment, recruitment and training of security personnel to assist law enforcement agencies in the maintenance of public peace and security.

The interventions, Governor Ambode said, had translated into tremendous success by the reduction in crimes in the state, adding that the DNA Centre underlined the state government’s resolve to stay ahead of criminals through scientific-led investigations.

Giving details of the DNA Centre, the governor said the facility has capacity to provide the police, prosecutors, defence attorneys and private citizens with crime scene processing; serological screening for blood and semen; DNA analysis of bone, teeth and hair; maternal and paternal relationship DNA analysis; expert witness and case handling services; paternal and maternal ancestry DNA analysis; cold case file review and mass disaster human identification.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with U.S Consul General, Lagos, Mr. John Bray (2nd right), Commercial Counselor, U.S Mission to Nigeria, Mr. Brent Omdahl and Criminal Justice Advisor, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Mr. Michael Omo during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), cutting the tape to commission the State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. With him are Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and representative of the Oba of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose (left).

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (2nd right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and Managing Consultant, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Dr. Richard Somiari (left) during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

While assuring that the government would not rest on its oars in coming up with initiatives to secure the State, Governor Ambode said with the commissioning, the government would now move to the second stage of building additional capacity in the areas of Toxicology; Trace Evidence and Controlled Substance Analysis; Fingerprint and Latent prints; Firearms, Ballistics and Tool Marks; Digital Forensics; and Questioned Documents Examination.

According to him, “The development of these other forensic sections at the facility will complement the DNA forensic section and enhance the level of services offered today.

Equipment in the new Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre at Lagos Island.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Managing Consultant, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Dr. Richard Somiari (right); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd left) and State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal (left) during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal (left); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd right), being conducted round the newly commissioned Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, by the Director, Technical Leader, DNA/Biology Forensics, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Shelley Johnson (right) during the commissioning on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Before now, most, if not all DNA analyses and testings were performed outside Nigeria, a situation that caused longer turn-around times and an overall higher cost of bringing closure to a case.

“I am therefore convinced that the establishment of the Lagos DNA & Forensic Centre will improve the speed and quality of evidence collected to assist our Courts in the quick dispensation of justice. This centre is a definite boost for our administration’s Justice Sector reform programme. It shows that our covenant with Lagosians to create a safe and secure State is being kept,” Governor Ambode said.

In his welcome address, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, said the centre would assist the state to have a reliable DNA database that would enable investigators and law enforcement officers identify crime patterns and suspects, and also help exonerate or convict suspects.

On his part, the Consul General of United States Embassy in Lagos, John Bray, congratulated Governor Ambode and the people of the State for successfully completing the building of “the first DNA Forensic Centre not only in Nigeria but in West Africa,” saying the development would enhance justice and progress.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with U.S Consul General, Lagos, Mr. John Bray (2nd right), Commercial Counselor, U.S Mission to Nigeria, Mr. Brent Omdahl and Criminal Justice Advisor, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Mr. Michael Omo during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (2nd right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and Managing Consultant, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Dr. Richard Somiari (left) during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sola Giwa (left) during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Mr. Bray, who had worked as a law enforcement officer in United States for 25 years before being posted to Lagos, said the State Government deserved commendation for the foresight and vision to undertake such project as the DNA Forensic centre, adding that there was no question about the fact that the facility is of world class standard.

On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, represented by Rear Admiral Lawal Modu Adams, said the centre was a significant milestone in the country’s fight against all forms of crime, including terrorism.

Also, Lagos State Acting Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, said the completion of the centre was another first by the Lagos State Government and one of the greatest moves by any state government towards boosting security and justice delivery.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and former Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Femi Pedro (left) during the commissioning of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), cutting the tape to commission the State DNA and Forensic Centre, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. With him are Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left) and representative of the Oba of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose (left).

He said with the opening of the centre, the State Police Command would now reopen unresolved high-profile cases hitherto frustrated by lack of solid evidence.

“I am perhaps the happiest person here today because this will enhance my job. We have a lot of pending high profile cases that we have not resolved yet. These cases, we intend to revisit with this new centre coming on board,” Mr. Edgal said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect the fact that the commissioned facility is first state-owned in West Africa, not the first DNA centre in the subregion.