Lagos State Ministry of Justice has appointed Dr. Babajide Martins as the new Director, Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD).

The new Director succeeds, Olayinka Adeyemi whom has been deployed to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice as the new Director of Public Prosecution.

Martins, who is a seasoned lawyer and administrator, earned his first degree in law from the prestigious University of Lagos before travelling abroad for master degrees in law from University of Leicester and doctorate degree from Birbeck College, University of London in the same discipline.

Before his appointment, Martins was a Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos State Ministry of Justice where he served and distinguished himself in the service of the state government in various capacities, worked closely with some of the past state Attorney Generals and won many laudable cases for government in various courts of the land.

Addressing management and staff via an online social network from Funsho Williams Avenue Headquarters of OPD on Monday, the newly appointed Director reaffirmed his commitment to professionalism, discipline and human capacity building to improve efficiency and service delivery to the deprived and vulnerable members of the public.

According to him,“ OPD under his watch will be fully committed to the current administration policy of good governance and security for all and sundry by deploying all available legal instruments and experience to uphold the principles of defending the defenceless, vulnerable, stop violence against women, child abuses, denial of workers entitlement rights by employers and flagrant violation of citizens fundamental human rights by individual and institutions.

In a release by Mamud Hassan, Director Public Affairs, Martins reiterated the need for staff to achieve and sustain Mr. Governor`s security and governance pillar of T.H.E.M.E.S agenda in ensuring the well being and protecting rights of all citizens.

He therefore, urged members of staff to brace up for the challenge of working in line with the best global practices, to be polite and civil when dealing with clients.

Further, he assured victims of rights violation, violence and abuses during the lockdown that the pandemic did not knockdown law and order in the state, and at the appropriate time all cases of abuse and right violation during the period would be professionally addressed by the OPD.

Martins enjoined members of the public to take full advantage of free legal services being provided by the Office of the Public Defender for indigent and vulnerable to protecting themselves against abuses, rights violation, violence against women and children and unlawful detention for bail-able offences.

He also affirmed that the nation’s process of growth and development will be deterred if rights of women and vulnerable members of the society are not guaranteed and protected according to law and international convention.