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    Tuesday, August 6, 2013

    ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR DECENTRALISATION OF OPD

    Segun Olulade

    Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly last week canvassed for decentralization of the Office of Public Defender (OPD) to make it more effective in tackling the increasing rates of human rights abuses especially domestic violence.
    This position followed a domestic violence issue raised Under Matters of Public Importance by House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade, describing the incidence as a disturbing trend in the state which must be urgently addressed.
    The lawmaker explained that he read in one of the national dailies a police officer's wife, Mary Sunday who alleged that her husband poured on her hot soup with a burning stove, adding that this dastardly act deface the woman beyond recognition.
    The incident, which according to the lawmaker occurred "sometime last year had been reported to the House through a petition sent by the victim to which nothing has been done over it."

    Olulade therefore appealed to his colleagues to come to the rescue of the woman by investigate the matter since according to the lawmaker, "the police had noted that the case had been close."
    While commending Olulade for bringing the matter before the House,      Funmilayo Tejuosho Mushin I said "the police officer should be made as an example to serve as deterrent to potential men who are bent on maltreating their wives."
    She however maintained that women in the state who have been victims of domestic violence should always endeavour to make use of Office of Public Defender (OPD) which according to her was created to take care of injustices prevalent in the state.
    While supporting her colleague, Moshood Oshun Mainland II told members that "they need to sentisize the public on the importance of the OPD, saying that the office should be decentralized so that many Lagosians would have access to it.

    He added that the OPD is meant to take care human rights abuses and it should be brought to the knowledge of the people that it is free of charge.
    Mufutau Egberongbe also explained that "it would be very difficult for somebody who resides in Badagry to come to Alausa to report a crime committed against him where the OPD is situated.

    The lawmaker said that "there ought to be a synergy between the office and all the local governments in the state to enhance its performance." 
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