Lagos State has taken a step towards decongesting police cell as a means of given Justice for various suspects who couldn’t access to legal services during the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
Consequently, State Counsels in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice have been deployed to various police stations.
The directive was initiated by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, to cushion the effects of the protracted JUSUN strike.
A statement signed by the Director Public Affairs, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi explained that all counsels in the directorate were mobilised to Police Divisions in the State to carry out the work of District Prosecutors by sifting through Investigating Police Officers, IPOs files for matters which fall within the purview of criminal trials.
In a related development, the state has also provided free legal services to the residents of Igando-Ikotun area and environs.
Read Also: Alleged N111.5billion Revenue Fraud Reports Indicts Zenith Bank
According to the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Jide Martins, the Joint legal clinic is an effort to have a one-stop-shop for legal services for residents of Lagos State.
Dr. Martins said the free legal clinic is in accordance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s theme’s Agenda of “Security and Governance” to ensure easy accessibility of legal services to all residents of the state.
Also, the Director Citizens Mediation Centre, Mrs. Biola Oseni said that the legal clinic is held at each community to make legal consultation closer to the people while sensitizing the residents on their rights in accordance with the law and the State Government Centres to ensure justice, promote peace and harmony among the citizens.
Mrs. Oseni noted that the annual Joint Legal Clinic is slated to hold at different divisions (Ikorodu, Badagary, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe) of the state.
You May Also Like: Obaseki To Grant Financial Autonomy To Judiciary in Edo State
The traditional ruler of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadebo urged the residents to be law-abiding citizens to aid development in the community.
While acknowledging the efforts of State Attorney-General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, he noted that his office would continue to promote peace and harmony in the community.
A resident of Igando-Ikotun, Moduopeola Ajayi expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Justice for hosting the Joint Legal Clinic in the community, saying it has widened her knowledge of the law and her rights as a citizen.
She implored other residents to take advantage of the Free Legal services rendered by the Ministry of Justice instead of resorting to self-help.
