In line with its mandate to ensure that Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATMs) in Correctional Centres across the State receive adequate legal representation, the Lagos State Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, alongside representatives of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), and Community Service Unit has visited Badagry prison on Thursday, 25th of June, 2020

Speaking on the visits.

Director, Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, said the recent primary purpose behind the official visit to the correctional centre was to ensure that Awaiting Trial Inmates receive free legal counselling and representation from the state government, adding that it is also to prevent the unlawful incarceration of children under the age of 18 years old.

She said, “The Lagos State government is concerned about the high number of Awaiting Trial Inmates in prisons across the State, especially those who have been incarcerated for a long time due to their inability to afford payment to for legal representations during court appearances”.

In this regard, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration, through the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, to regularly intercede on behalf of such Lagosians and provide the much needed legal services at zero cost to them irrespective of tribe, gender or religion”, she added.

Odusanya, therefore, assured the Badagry prison inmates that the Office will do everything within its power to provide them with adequate legal services, while also enjoining them to maintain decorum, truthful and honest in their responses during all court appearances.

Recall that the Directorate had earlier visited the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons on Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18, 2020 respectively as part of its quarterly visits to the Correctional Centres.

In all, the Office attended to more than 300 male and female inmates as well as distributing gift items such as Antiseptic disinfectant, Air freshener, Insecticides, Toothbrushes, Slippers, Hand Sanitizers, Shaving sticks, Sanitary towels, Detergents soap, Brooms, Harpic, Hypo, Toilet papers, Bathing soap, Evaporated milk and Facemasks to them.