Lagos Public Defender Treats 2,666 Cases In 11 Months

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, on Monday said the  state office of the Public Defender (OPD) handled 2,666 cases between January and November 2012.

Ipaye announced this while speaking at the 2012 World Human Rights Day celebration organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebration was: “Right to Participate in Public Process”.

He said:”The natures of cases handled vary and range from criminal matters to tenancy matters, family matters, recovery of debt, assault, unlawful detention and child abuse.

“The office collected the sum of N81.7 million on behalf of the people of the state compared with N10 million collected in 2011. The 794 per cent increase underscores our commitment to people’s welfare”.

Ipaye said other agencies set up by the government to promote the rights of the people include Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Citizens Mediation Centre and Public Advice Centre.

He maintained that the state government would continue to protect the rights of all residents.

“When you look at some of the government policies especially the traffic law, ejection of illegal squatters and demolition of illegal structures, people will argue that they are anti-human rights.

“But right goes along with responsibilities and as a government, we must be brave to do the right thing”, Ipaye said.

Also speaking, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), Lagos State Solicitor General, said the hallmark of representative democratic governance was the right of the people to elect their leaders.

Pedro said Gov. Babatunde Fashola’s administration has deepened the democratic process of governance through the creation of an easy access between the government and electorate.

In her address of welcome, Mrs Omotilewa Ibirogba, Director, Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, said the day was celebrated globally to promote human rights culture.

Ibirogba said the date was chosen to commemorate the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), on Dec. 10, 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly.