Press Releases

Lagos State Government Suspends Implementation Of Coroner Law Of 2007

Sep 30, 2008 - The Lagos State Government Tuesday announced the suspension of the implementation of the State’s Coroner Law of 2007, which is at the moment being reviewed by the State’s House of Assembly.

The State’s Coroner Law of 2007, which came into force in November last year, generated so much concern especially within the medical circle and among some religious bodies, necessitating its withdrawal by the State Government which later returned it to the House of Assembly for amendment.

Announcing the suspension of the implementation of the law while briefing Government House Correspondents, the Attorney General and State’s Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN), said that it did not conform to public order to continue to implement the law while it was still under review adding that the suspension would continue until after amendment when all stakeholders would have made their input.

At the briefing also addressed by Dr. Jide Idris, the State’s Commissioner for Health, Sasore, however said that in extreme circumstances where there was serious suspicion on cause of death or criminal intent, the old law would apply but added that in such cases the office of the Attorney-General must be notified.

Sasore declared,” As a responsive Government, we have decided to go back to the people to give them the opportunity to make their input”, adding that the resultant new law would be titled Coroner Systems Amendment Law 2008 when ratified. He appealed to the medical personnel not to use the old law as a cover to deny or delay issuance of death certificates adding “No doctor has the right to use medical procedure to infringe on the fundamental rights of persons. The peoples’ fundamental and guaranteed right of freedom of religion must be respected at all times”

Calling on all Stakeholders to avail themselves of the opportunity of the public hearing on the law, the Commissioner, who said the new bill has passed the Second Reading by the House, also stated that the House would soon put in the public domain the date and time of the public hearing as well as invite specific stakeholders to the occasion added “ Their input will enable us come out with a comprehensive law that will meet the yearnings of all”.

Also addressing the press on the implication of the suspension of the 2007 Coroner Law’s implementation on the health sector, Dr. Idris appealed to doctors in the State’s hospitals not to hide under the cover of the old law to delay the issuance of death certificates but rather to be sensitive enough and fast track the issuance of the document “except where there are serious suspicions of criminal intent”.

Dr. Idris said the appeal has become necessary because of reports of continued delay in issuance of death certificates by some doctors in the State’s hospital who, according to him, hide under the old law to delay the process; a situation which he said has not gone down well with the people especially some religious bodies.

He also appealed to all the stakeholders, especially religious and professional bodies, to endeavour to attend the public hearing soon to be announced by the State House of Assembly to enable the State Government arrive at a law that would be acceptable to all the people.

The press conference also had in attendance the Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Mr. Segun Ayobolu and the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr. Hakeem Bello.