LAGOS LAWMAKERS BACK DNA AND FORENSIC CENTRE BILL, 2021

LAGOS LAWMAKERS BACK DNA AND FORENSIC CENTRE BILL, 2021

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM (Lagos)

Sponsored by: H&H

Lagos Lawmakers during Plenary backed the “Bill for a Law to provide for the establishment of the Lagos State Deoxyribo-Nucleic Acid (DNA) and Forensic Centre, to supports criminal investigators, law enforcement and the preservation of evidences for the judicial system and for other connected purposes”, as it scales through second reading on Monday.

While debating on the Bill highlighted that it will provide a database and save cost of medical surgery in cases of criminal investigation as it will foster investigation and criminal justice dispensation of judicial matters.

Hon. Femi Saheed positioned that the Bill will further collaborate the security situation in the State, “When we have an Institute that serves as a durability centre, it will accelerate the judicial system. The accuracy and liability these data will produce will be used to prosecute offenders.” He said.

Looking at the current global acceptable scientific way of proving criminal cases, marital and child paternity; Hon. Olayiwola Abdul-Sobur said that the DNA term since 1984 discovered by Donald Fredrick has been a good scientific way of discovering crime as well as assisting the law enforcement and judicial system; therefore it should be encouraged.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, in his submission, stated that any nation that does not embrace Forensic Science and investigation cannot fight crime. He added that in a country where forensic works, sample of the DNA is kept in case the suspect commits another crime which would be invaluable to the State.

The Bill allows for a database where it is crucial for everyone to submit their information for identification purposes, however, it is not domicile in hospitals. This was submitted by Hon. Desmond Elliot.

He added that the scientific situation should be taken seriously as it will help in administration of justice especially in a society like Lagos State with high population.

Subsequently, the Bill was committed to House Committees on Health Services and Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC to report its findings to the House in due cause.