Lagos State Government has assured inmates in all correctional centres of easy access to free legal representation during hearing of their cases in court.


Director, Directorate of Citizens Rights, Oluwatoyin Odusanya gave the assurance during her quarterly visits to Lagos Correctional Centers,Ikoyi,Badagry and Kirikiri female Correctional centers.


According to her, the quarterly visits is part of the directorate’s regular tour of correctional centers across the state to implement government’s policy of easy access to justice by all.


Odusanya stated that the Department conducts prison watch services to ensure the rights of inmates, especially those awaiting trial are protected under the law.


She noted that the visit is to ensure those awaiting trial have legal representation in conjunction with the office of the Public Defender,OPD,and the Community Service Unit.


Odusanya further said government is highly concerned about the increasing number of those awaiting trials across the state.


Speaking on the visit to the three Correctional Centers, Deputy Controler Ikoyi Correctional Center, Dare Opadeji, Assistant Controler Badagry Correctional Center, Sanni Ojo Richard and Deputy Controler, Kiriki female Correctional Centre, Ekpendu Lixxie, expressed their gratitude to the Directorate on behalf of the inmates and those awaiting trials saying the visits give some of the inmates, hope of getting freedom.


They all pleaded with the Lagos state government to intervene in minor cases that require immediate action as the inmates cannot afford the cost of getting lawyers.


Some of the inmates also pleaded for government’s intervention, saying they have learnt their lessons.


The department presented gift items to the correctional centers.


This is contained in a statement made available by the Directorate of Citizens Rights, Public Affairs Officer, Taiwo Ade-Balogun.