The legal landscape of practice in Nigeria, is changing rapidly. A growing number of Lawyers who built their careers in government are now moving into private practice, bringing with them institutional knowledge and a different perspective on the justice system. One such Lawyer is Dr Babajide Olumuyiwa Martins. Highly regarded for his work in criminal justice administration, Dr Martins started his career as a Crown Prosecutor in the UK. He spent years at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, rising through strategic roles that included serving as Special Assistant on Criminal Prosecution to the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, SAN. He now heads the Criminal Litigation and Public Prosecution Practice of Adeniji Kazeem & Co,. in the firm’s Abuja office. Over the weekend, Dr Martins shared his thoughts on justice administration and the evolving face of criminal justice delivery in Nigeria with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi. He reflects on his journey through public service, the persistent challenges of criminal justice administration, the importance of prosecutorial independence, the expanding role of specialist legal expertise in supporting public institutions, and his vision for the future of criminal justice in the country Justice Beyond Judgements Kindly, give us an overview of your career as a civil servant culminating in you becoming the Director of Public Prosecutions and Permanent Secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. What specific reforms, systems, or practices did you introduce or institutionalise as DPP an/or Permanent Secretary, that you regard as lasting contributions? Following my legal education and admission to practice, I commenced my public service career in the United Kingdom, where I served as a Crown Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and subsequently, as a Litigation Lawyer with Blackburn Borough Council. These roles afforded me significant experience in criminal prosecution, public law, local government practice, and the administration of justice within a common law jurisdiction. In July 2013, I returned to Nigeria and joined the Lagos State Civil Service as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice. My experience and expertise in criminal justice administration led to my subsequent promotion to the rank of Director, after which I was seconded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where I served as Special Assistant to the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeola Ipaye, OFR. During this period, I played an active role in the administration of criminal justice, and contributed to several institutional reforms within the Ministry. One of the notable initiatives I pioneered during my tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, was the establishment of the Investigatory Advisory Unit. This initiative was inspired by the Pre-Charge Advice Unit of the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service, where prosecutors provide legal guidance to investigators before criminal charges are filed. The objective was to provide timely legal advice to the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies during the investigative stage, thereby strengthening investigations, ensuring that appropriate charges were preferred, improving the quality of prosecutions, and reducing avoidable delays and unsuccessful prosecutions. I also served as a member of the team that established the Witness Support Unit, within the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The Unit was created to improve the experience of victims and witnesses within the criminal justice system, by providing them with the necessary support and guidance throughout the prosecution process, thereby enhancing witness participation and confidence in the administration of justice. In April 2020, I was appointed Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD). During my tenure, I focused on strengthening access to justice for vulnerable and indigent members of society, while improving institutional processes within the Bureau. Working alongside dedicated colleagues, I contributed to the development and implementation of the Office’s comprehensive Work Process Manual, which established standard operating procedures across all operational units and significantly enhanced efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I was appointed Legal Adviser to the Lagos State Government Covid-19 Response Team, where I provided legal guidance on the complex legal and public health issues that emerged during the pandemic. This role involved advising the Government on emergency regulatory measures, public health directives, and other legal issues arising from the management of the pandemic. In addition, I served as the Legal Adviser to the Lagos State Biobank Security Project, providing legal support on matters rel
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