Lagos State Ministry of Justice

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Epe

PRESS RELEASE : LAGOS OFFERS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION TO EPE COMMUNITY

… As Council Chair, others laud government’s initiatve The Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, provided free legal consultation to residents of Epe community and its environs. In her opening remarks, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje ably represented by the Director of Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, stated that the free legal Clinic was organized to ensure residents of Epe get acquainted with the agencies and directorates of the Ministry and equally understand their respective roles. She also stated that the initiative was meant to educate and sensitize members of the public about their fundamental human rights and the appropriate agencies to consult whenever there’s an infringement on their rights as citizens of Lagos State. The Permanent Secretary further stressed that the State Government is very keen about the fundamental rights of the residents, reiterating the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration towards ensuring members of the public enjoy free and quick access to Justice. “The Joint Free Legal Clinic team which is made up of all legal service-oriented departments and agencies in the Ministry, includes the Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit (CSU), Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR), and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) amongst others, are all here to render their services free of charge”. Shitta-Bey-Jeje, however, urged the residents to disassociate from self-help and take advantage of free legal services put in place by the State Government. She therefore urged members of the public to support the State Government’s dream of building a crime-free State with respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights. On her part, the Chairperson of Epe Local Government, Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, appreciated the laudable free legal clinic initiative. She extended her appreciation to the State Government, Ministry of Justice and its agencies for not only conceptualizing and initiating the exercise but also for its bold steps in taking the legal clinic to the nooks and crannies of the State. She urged residents of Epe to take full advantage of the legal services provided by the Ministry of Justice to ensure seamless alternative dispute resolution, easy dispensation of justice, and a peaceful co-existence among the people of Epe. While appreciating the Lagos State Government for the free legal consultation, HRM, the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, represented by the Olowa of Epe land, High Chief Adaramaja Oluomo, urged the residents of the Epe community to embrace the services provided by directorates and agencies of the Ministry, noting that not all matters should be taken to court. The Oloja of Epe, advised residents of Epe that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. They are not to take laws into their own hands by acting accordingly and seeking legal ways to solve matters. Attendees of the event includes Directors ,Lawyers and staff of the State Ministry of Justice ,representative of Alara of Ilara Kingdom,High Chief Talabi Olatunji JP, Baale of Igboku-nla, Chief Ogundipe Rasheed and other notable traditional rulers and residents of Epe community. The free legal clinic exercise have also been scheduled to hold at Ikorodu,Iba ,Alimosho and Ibeju Lekki environs.

LASG Offers Free Legal Consultation to Epe Residents

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has provided free legal consultations  to the residents of Epe community on Thursday 3rd June 2021, as part of its continuous statewide legal clinic exercise. According to the  Director for Citizens’ Rights, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, the Joint Legal Clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice to have a one-stop-shop for free legal consultation and other related matters for residents of Lagos State. She added that the Joint Legal Clinic team, comprising all legal service oriented directorates and agencies in the Ministry, which include: Office of Public Defender (OPD), Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Public Advice Centre (PAC), Community Service Unit, Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee (AG&PT), Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) were all represented at the Legal Clinic which held at Epe Local Government Secretariat. Odusanya noted that, the free Legal Clinic is scheduled to hold in all the 5 divisions of Lagos State namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos-Island and Epe, with the aim of reaching and providing easy access to legal consultations and representation for the indigent and vulnerable members of society. Speaking during the exercise, the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Dr. Jide Martins, had also explained  that the Legal Clinic was specifically organised for the people at the grassroots of every community across the State in order to bring  access to justice closer to the people, while sensitizing the residents on their Fundamental Human Rights. He said, “This initiative by the Ministry is in compliance with the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu which aims to promote and achieve security and good governance among the residents of Lagos State”. On his part, the Alara of Ilara land, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the residents of Epe Land, to take advantage of the services provided by the Lagos State Government  through the Ministry of Justice as this will ensure  social development and peaceful co-existence of people within the Epe Community. While attesting to the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, at ensuring speedy dispensation of Justice, even as the industrial action by  Judicial staff lingers, he noted that his office,  would  continue to promote among Epe residents, the  option of  resolving conflicts through Mediation, using alternative dispute resolution platforms already provided by the State Government. While expressing his  appreciation  to the state government on behalf of the community, the General Secretary, Oloja in Council, the Odofin of Epe Land, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, commended the Ministry of Justice for bringing the Legal Clinic to their door steps as it affords them the opportunity of accessing  within Epe community, qualitative legal consultations at no cost to them. Dayo Asanbe & Bola Okedunwon Public Affairs Officers Ministry of Justice 3rd June 2021

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