The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has paid a courtesy visit to the Controller of Correctional Service, Lagos Command, Mr. Afolabi Adebisi at Ikoyi, Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the Director, Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju, stated that the purpose of the visit was to open a new vista of support, collaboration and cooperation that would enable inmates of Correctional Centres across the State to access OPD’s free and quality legal services more easily.
According to her, it is imperative that there is an increased synergy between the two agencies of government in order to identify inmates that are in dire need of legal representation.
Her words: “It is my belief that this move will enable OPD to continue to offer its free legal services to the inmates in their Court matters in a greater capacity. This initiative is with an overall view to continue to decongest the Correctional Centres in Lagos State”.
Adesomoju assured that the OPD would increase its scheduled visits to the Correctional Centres with the aim of attending to the legal needs of more inmates.
In his response, the Controller of Correctional Service, Lagos Command, Mr. Afolabi Adebisi, thanked the OPD team for the visit, just as he agreed that it is important for the Command and OPD to increase and strengthen their existing collaborative efforts to decongest the Correctional Centres in the State.
Adebisi said many of the inmates lack legal representation and some have overstayed in custody beyond what the Courts would have sentenced them for their offences due to lack of legal representation.
He, therefore, promised to cooperate with OPD in the discharge of the statutory responsibilities of both government bodies.
