In a decisive move to strengthen financial governance and improve the pace of justice delivery, Lagos State hosted a landmark Revenue Recovery Summit on Friday, themed “Speedy Dispensation of Revenue Cases in Court.”
EpeInsights reports that the event, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, brought together top legal minds, revenue administrators and public sector stakeholders at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja.
The summit highlighted a growing concern: delayed revenue cases are hampering service delivery in key sectors such as health, education, sanitation, infrastructure and security.
Stakeholders agreed that for Lagos and indeed any thriving economy revenue must flow efficiently and legal bottlenecks must be cleared.
Representing the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, was Hon. Justice Hakeem Oshodi, who delivered a strong message on the judiciary’s renewed commitment to judicial efficiency.
He announced steps to fast-track revenue disputes, including assigning specialized judges to revenue matters and integrating technology to improve the speed of court processes.
“Justice delayed is indeed revenue denied,” Justice Oshodi emphasized, calling for deeper collaboration between the courts, revenue-generating agencies, and the Ministry of Justice.
In his keynote address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, stressed the urgency of addressing revenue-related delays.
He reminded participants that revenue is the foundation of effective governance and public service delivery. According to him, when revenue is stuck in prolonged litigation, it is ultimately the citizens who suffer.
Mr. Pedro pointed to several initiatives already underway, including the establishment of a designated Revenue Court at the Tapa Commercial Courts Complex and the creation of a Revenue Recovery Unit within the Ministry.
He also referenced key legal instruments like the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules of 2019 and the recently enacted Tax Administration Act 2025, both of which empower the state to pursue outstanding revenue efficiently.
The Attorney General urged legal professionals and revenue officials to commit to practical, immediate reforms. “The government’s position is clear: revenue cases must be resolved quickly. Delay in revenue adjudication is delay in governance,” he said.
Earlier, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, opened the summit with a clear message this event was not just a conversation, but a rallying call for action. He emphasized that timely resolution of revenue matters is critical for maintaining the backbone of governance and sustaining development in Lagos.
Adding to the conversation, the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Ayodele Subair, represented by Mr. Seyi Alade, Director of Legal Services at LIRS, echoed the same concerns.
He described the slow pace of revenue litigation as a major challenge for tax administration, one that weakens compliance and deters voluntary contributions from taxpayers.
Mr. Alade praised the Ministry of Justice for organizing the summit and outlined the LIRS’s own efforts at reform, including the adoption of digital tools like the e-Tax platform and more robust enforcement mechanisms.
He called for an improved judicial approach, one that includes training for judges on revenue matters, strict litigation timelines and the formation of a Revenue Justice Working Group.
“Justice delayed in revenue matters is not only justice denied — it is development deferred,” he concluded.
The summit also featured contributions from several legal and government leaders, including Hon. Justices Jumoke Pedro, Yhaqub Oshoala, and Anjorin-Ajose; House Committee on Finance member Hon. Femi Saheed; Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju from the Citizens Mediation Bureau; former Attorney General and Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Mr. Ade Ipaye; as well as magistrates, lawyers, and directors from the Ministry of Justice.
As Lagos State continues to innovate in governance and public finance, the Revenue Recovery Summit marks a key moment in its journey — where legal reform meets fiscal responsibility for the benefit of all.
