The Delta State Government has warned that business owners and public institutions that fail to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) on their premises may soon face prosecution for violating the state’s law.
The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, gave the warning on Thursday after presenting the ministry’s 2027 budget during bilateral discussions with ministries, departments and agencies organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning in Asaba, the state capital.
Erebe said the government would no longer rely solely on public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance, adding that offenders would be made to face the consequences of violating the law.
He urged business owners and public institutions to install CCTV cameras, saying the equipment would help improve security and protect society.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise business owners and public institutions to ensure that they install CCTV cameras on their premises.
“It does not cost as much as people think, and it helps protect society. The law was not enacted just for the sake of having legislation; it is meant to be obeyed.
“Very soon, some people may face prosecution for failing to comply with the relevant provisions,” he said.
The Solicitor-General stressed that ignorance of the law would not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance, adding that the government was prepared to enforce the relevant provisions.
On the ministry’s performance in 2026, Erebe said it had recorded progress in defending government cases and reducing the state’s exposure to unnecessary litigation.
He attributed the development to improved legal advice to ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the motivation and regular training of government lawyers.
According to him, the ministry has introduced a reward system for lawyers who successfully handle cases, a move he said has encouraged them to improve their performance.
He added that the ministry had also organised training programmes for government agencies, including the Ministries of Lands and Surveys and Commerce, on the proper legal procedures for carrying out official activities.
He cited land acquisition as an area where government agencies must follow due process, explaining that publishing notices in newspapers alone might not be sufficient, as the relevant parties must also be properly served.
On the ministry’s request for additional lawyers in the 2027 budget, Erebe said the legal sector was facing a shortage of professionals, just like other critical sectors.
He said the shortage had made additional recruitment necessary to strengthen the ministry’s capacity to handle legal matters on behalf of the state.
“The shortage of legal professionals is not limited to the medical sector. It is also happening in the legal profession. That is why we made a case for additional recruitment of lawyers into the ministry,” he said.
Erebe also described Delta State’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law as one of the most modern legal frameworks, adding that the ministry was working to review existing laws to address gaps and reflect current realities.
