By Felix Kuyinu
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, LAHA, have given a clarion call to the state’s Office of the Public Defender, OPD, to extend it’s advocacy to rural areas.
LAHA Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions gave the recommendation during a visit to the OPD office in Surulere Lagos.
The lawmakers said that extending the advocacy to rural areas will create awareness of the agency’s functions to the society and also sensitize the residents on ways they can benefit from the activities the agency.
Chairman of the Commitee, Honourable Ladi Ajomale, who represents Oshodi-Isolo Constituecy 02 at the House of Assembly, stated that the visit was planned to also form proximity between LAHA and the agency.
Ajomale noted that the Lagos Assembly is keen on familiarizing with the agency so as to know the challenges faced as they carry out their duties.
He assured that the Assembly would not relent in its oversight responsibility of ensuring that the mission and vision of the Office are achieved.
Director of OPD, Olubunmi Adeshomoju, reminisced on the agency’s target of working satisfactorily in the duties which includes providing necessary support to residents on Family Matters, Child Abuse, Child’s Right Custody & Maintenance Divorce, Civil Matters, Employer/Employee and Compensation/Monetary Claims.
Adeshomoloju also maintained that the body’s advocacy which also cut across recovery of possession, debt, landlord and tenant cases in Court, criminal matters, domestic violence, sexual abuse, fundamental human rights, unlawful detention, bail at police posts, rescue mission, prison decongestion exercise will be extended to the rural areas in the state.
