The attention of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State has been drawn to the Special Report of February 21st 2021 with the above headline by the Premium Times in respect of the defendant, Titilayo Benson who was charged with the offence of Murder in Charge No. LD/92/13; between State vs. Titilayo Benson.

Contrary to the allegations in the online publication, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions carried out all that was required to prosecute the matter but the defendant was never produced from Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre despite series of production warrants to appear at the High Court.

Upon receipt of the casefile in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on 20 April 2012, legal advice was issued and the defendant was charged to the High Court on the 22 March 2013 before Hon. Justice O. Taiwo for prosecution.

During the pendency of the matter, the defendant was represented in court by one C.K Emele on 2 November 2016 and 1 March 2017 by one O.E. Ashade, yet the defendant remain unproduced in court despite several production warrants issued to produce her.

Given the gravity of the offence alleged against the defendant and the length of time spent in custody, the Director Public Prosection has forthwith been directed to explore plea and sentence bargain in the matter.

The Government reaction is contained in a statement made available by Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi.