Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (middle), signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the DNA Forensic Centre in his Office, Ministry of Justice, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday, May 04, 2016. With him are Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami (left) and the Representative of ITSI Biosciences LCC, Dr. Richard Somiasi

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday signed an agreement for the establishment of a DNA Forensic Centre in the State.

At the official signing of the agreement between the State Government and ITSI Bioscience LCC in Alausa, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said that the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC) is a unique forensic technique that is now being used all over the world and it is aimed at achieving the growing DNA needs of criminal investigation.

He said the signed agreement was in fulfilment of the State Government’s plan to establish a DNA Forensic Centre in the State to facilitate prompt and effective prosecution of criminal activities.

The Centre, according to the Attorney-General, would aid investigation on domestic and sexual violence cases, boost family and paternity proceedings, help in identifying victims of natural and man-made disasters and also be a tool for the judicial system.

Kazeem said that the Centre would be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to support all levels of DNA collection from people and objects, evidence examination, DNA analysis and provide evidential DNA storage.

“I am certain that the Lagos DNA forensic laboratory is going to be another unique solution to fighting crime in our quest for a safer and secure Lagos,” he said.

Earlier, Dr. Richard Somiasi, who signed on behalf of ITSI Bioscience LCC thanked the State Government and promised to live up to the task.