DIRECTOR,CITIZEN’S RGHTS
OGUNSANYA, JONATHAN OLUGBEMI, a Grade Level 17 Officer, was appointed as Head of Department, Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, Ministry of Justice, Lagos State on 7th July, 2025.He was born on 2nd February, 1969.He is of Lagos State origin from Solu Alade/Ona Osa Town, Ibeju Lekki Local Government. He bagged a Bachelor of Laws Degree LL.B (Hons) from the Lagos State University in 1996 and a Master of Laws Degree from the same University in 2008. After his Call to the Nigerian Bar on 13th October, 2000, he had a stint of Legal Practice with the Law Firm of Tayo Oyetibo SAN & Co.
On 28th November, 2001, he was appointed as State Counsel. GL 9 by the Lagos State Government and posted to the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender and in 2012, he was further posted to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions where he served for about 12 years till his current Appointment as DCR. He was privileged to have handled and co-handled many cases including high profile cases at both Defence and Prosecutorial levels on behalf of Lagos State Government. He is a Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner.
He was a Recipient of a number of Awards in the Service of Lagos State Government, these include Productivity Order of Merit Award in Lagos State Public Service for Senior Category by the Lagos State Head of Service on 23rd July, 2020. Best Counsel (Senior Category), for year 2019 in the Lagos Ministry of Justice. Best Counsel, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice (Senior Category), 2014 & 2019.
He was the Counsel to the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other Matters from October 2020-November, 2021. He is also privileged to be a Member of the Honourable Attorney General’s Legal Team. He is happily married with children,
THE DIRECTORATE FOR CITIZENS’ RIGHTS (DCR)
The Directorate for Citizens’ Rights (DCR) is responsible for the implementation of State Government Policy of quick and Free Access to justice for all residents in Lagos State. These are being achieved under various means which includes, the protection of Human Rights, Child’s Rights, Consumer Rights, Rights of Women, Rights of the Physically challenged, HIV/AIDS Response Services, Landlord/Tenant’s Rights, Employer/Emloyee’s Rights and Matrimonial Rights.
The DCR was established for creating Access to Justice for the poor, downtrodden and the less privileged within Lagos State in the implementation of the policy of the Lagos State Government that all men irrespective of means, social status or creed must have equal access to justice. It was equally created to provide Government- funded Legal Defence and Advice to foster Government Policy of quick and free access to justice for the poor and the vulnerable through Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Means such as Mediation. DCR was also created to compel Government to spend resources in the active education of all persons within the State about Citizens’ Rights and Good Governance.
The Units of the DCR include:
- Human Rights Protection Unit
- Consumer Protection Unit
- One Stop Child Justice Unit
- Prison Watch Unit
- HIV/AIDS Response Unit and
- Public Interest Defence Unit.
- Administration Unit.