When established, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights in Ogun State would be an avenue for residents, particularly, the vulnerable group and the less-privilege to have increased access to justice.
This was the summation of opinions of lawmakers in the State House of Assembly who spoke at the plenary in support of the bill titled ‘HB No 34/OG/2013 Ogun Citizens Rights Directorate law 2013’ during its second reading.
Speaking on the merits inherent in creating the Directorate, the Majority Leader, Hon. Israel Jolaosho who led other lawmakers, called for expedite action on the bill to allow citizens, especially, the indigent have access to quick justice dispensation, as it would provide free legal services to them.
According to him, the Directorate would help ensure that rights of the masses are not trampled upon by the powerful and influential individuals in the society.
Others who spoke in favour of the bill including Honourables Olakunle Oluomo, Oludaisi Elemide, Babatunde Edunjobi, Segun Solarin, Olusola Sonuga, Aina Akinpelu, Yinka Mafe and Victor Fasanya observed that the Directorate would safeguard the people from undue harassment from any quarter.
They noted that it would equally serve as an avenue for settling minor disputes and as a result help to decongest various courts of law, police formations and prisons in the State, submitting that its establishment was long overdue.
The lawmakers however underscored the need for its proper funding to insulate personnel from corruption in order to achieve effective and efficient operations on providing free legal services to those in need.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi thereafter referred it to the House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petition for further actions.
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