OPD URGES LAGOSIANS TO SPEAK OUT ON ALL FORMS OF ABUSE

Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), has urged Lagosians to speak out on any form of human rights abuse that might be affecting them, stressing that it is only by speaking out that the Government will be able to assist in solving identified issues.

The Director OPD, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi stated this while speaking at the Awareness Campaign/Legal Clinic organised by the Office at the Bariga Local Council Development Area, noting that “Problem shared is problem solved”.

According to her, the State Government recognised that there are various forms of human rights abuses in the society, hence the need for initiating various laws to guide and protect the citizenry.

Adeyemi implored all residents in the State to speak out, especially for victims of sexual and domestic violence in their neighbourhood, stressing that some victims are scared or shy in reporting such cases.

The Director noted that present economic situation in the country should not be a reason for the increase in domestic and sexual violence, adding that the State Government has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and other human rights abuses and would continue to make efforts in ensuring that human rights abuses are reduced to barest minimum.

While noting that spousal abuse is now rampant in the society, she urged the people of the State to desist from the habit of pleading for offenders after committing an offence so as to allow the law to take its full course.

The Director explained that it has become a culture in our society to plead on behalf of the perpetrator of a crime thus slowing down the pace of justice system in the society, noting that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for committing a crime.

Expressing concern over the increase in sexual offences especially rape and defilement of children from the ages of 0-17, she affirmed that the Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for domestic violence and anybody found culpable would be brought to book.

According to her, “We have noticed that when these offences are committed particularly when it involves children, Landlords, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Family members and respectable people in the society come to beg on their behalf. They even go to the extent of pressurising the parents of the children involved not to follow up the case”.

“They should stop begging for the perpetrators. It is shameful to see that they come forward pleading for them; they should support the State Government in ensuring that those who commit evil acts do not go free without being punished so that we can have a peaceful society”, she added.

Mrs. Adeyemi, therefore, urged Lagosians to take advantage of the OPD set up to render free legal services to the less privileged members of the State with focus on the socio-economic rights of Women, Children and Persons with Disability.