The Ogun State Government is seeking to change how missing persons are reported by abolishing the customary 24-hour waiting period. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, announced this move as part of a new set of criminal justice bills approved by the State Executive Council for legislative review.
Ogungbade emphasized that the proposed legislation mandates immediate reporting of disappearances, noting that the initial 24 hours are vital for successful recovery efforts. Under this new framework, individuals who are expected to know the whereabouts of a missing person—such as parents—will face legal penalties if they fail to report a disappearance promptly.
The Attorney-General highlighted that current laws provide insufficient support for law enforcement, making it difficult to access banking or telecommunications records during investigations. The bill aims to streamline these processes by creating a stronger partnership between the Ministry of Justice, the police, and the judiciary. This includes granting law enforcement easier access to data from service providers.
Additionally, the bill introduces rapid response measures for child abductions. These protocols include notifying transport unions and motor parks immediately to help prevent victims from being moved out of the state. Ogungbade believes this legislation will significantly strengthen the state’s ability to combat crimes like ritual killings and human trafficking.
