PLATEAU, JIGAWA  UNDERSTUDY LAGOS STATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENDER

Delegations from Plateau and Jigawa States’ Ministries of Justice on Friday visited the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender to understudy the workings and processes of the Agency at its Surulere Head Office.

Welcoming the delegations to the Agency, the Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD) Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju informed them about the historical background of the office, stressing that the Agency started as a Unit under a Department in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on 24th of July 2000 as Citizen’s Rights before becoming autonomous with the enactment of the OPD Law.

She revealed that the office was established by the Lagos State Government to render free, quality legal services in criminal and civil cases to the indigents and vulnerable residents of the State with emphasis on issues threatening the socio-economic rights of the poor as well as other vulnerable groups such as children, women, the physically challenged, pensioners and widows.

Adesomoju said the main components of the Office include the Criminal Defence of the High Courts & Magistrate Courts Units, Family and Child Justice Unit, Civil and Small Claims Court Unit, Social and Welfare Unit and Public Affairs Unit among others.

The Director disclosed that the Office has resident Counsel in all the High Courts and all Magistrate Courts in the State that provides legal representation. She added that the Agency also has some functional committees like the Rescue Mission committee, Advocacy/Campaign committee, Project committee and Correctional Centre Visit committee to enhance service delivery.

In his remarks, the Hon. Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice Plateau State, Barrister Philemon Audu Daffi disclosed that both delegations were in Lagos State to get practical solutions that would make access to justice a reality for their people, adding that they wanted practical steps that can be implemented immediately. 

He also mentioned that both states are on the verge of establishing the Office of the Public Defender in their respective  States.

Speaking in the same vein, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Jigawa State, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanni stated that they discovered that there is a gap to be filled in their States, especially in the area of case management which is a major part of the reason for their visit.

The Commissioners therefore thanked the Lagos State Government on behalf of the Governments and people of Plateau and Jigawa States for the warm welcome and kind gesture accorded to them by the State Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Public Defender, particularly by providing them with relevant information and materials that would assist them in accomplishing their mandates of rendering prompt access to justice to their people.

They also appreciate the OPD for the insights and guidance on how effective and impactful access to justice is being implemented in Lagos State.