The Lagos State Government on Tuesday launched the Lagos State Electronic Real Estate Litigation System, an online platform designed to provide easy access information to anyone who intends to deal in real estate with information primarily on whether the property is subject of litigation.
State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem , who launched the online platform in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said with the vision of becoming the largest economy in Africa, it was expected that the level of economic and commercial activities in Lagos State would experience an unprecedented level, height and pace, saying that the real estate sector was expected to further attract a significant amount of attention.
"The world we know today is at the click of a button technology driven and the Lagos State government is certainly in trend with the time. We have been working endlessly to ensure that Lagos is not left in the dark ages. This is why several initiatives and steps are being taken to make Lagos State as technologically driven as possible," he said.
Kazeem further said the Lagos State Electronic Real Estate Litigation System would provide members of the public with information on pending court cases, notify members of the public of real estate/property which were the subject of pending litigation and ensure that members of the public/professional bodies were able to conduct an efficient search of real estate/property that is faster, reliable and convenient.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Funlola Odunlami added that the platform would curtail risk associated with property transactions and reduce litigation on real estate as the public could now easily confirm if a property was subject of a pending litigation.
Kazeem stated that the platform would enhance due diligence in property transactions, provide a comprehensive database of real estate/property in Lagos which is subject of litigation and allow the members of the public to file for LisPendens, that is, by submitting their case(s) which is subject of a pending Court case and that same would be regarded as sufficient notice.
"This project was conceived to ensure that citizens of Lagos State are better served. It is now being delivered as another promise kept for a better Lagos for all. This innovative project has been designed in line with this administration's drive to promote information technology in the State.
"I therefore call on you all to buy into this new initiative, embrace it, and share in our vision of a new, enhanced System of real estate due diligence in Lagos State. This new initiative known as the Lagos State Electronic Real Estate Litigation Electronic System (Lis Pendens Electronic System) makes this readily available for properties in Lagos State," he said.
Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, who was represented Justice Laide Olayinka described the new platform as a worthy initiative, lamenting that there were many property cases subject to litigation in court which people did not know, adding that the platform would surely complement the justice system in the state.
Surveyor General of the State, Sango Wawa said the launch of the online platform was away of moving the real estate industry forward, stressing that the project would enhance the smart city status Lagos is craving, as everything would not be done online.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
