The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have struck a deal to identify and rescue convicted inmates who are unable to pay court fines/penalties.
Under the terms of the partnership, the fines will be paid by the Church so that the inmates can regain their freedom.
According to a statement by the OPD Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Mamud Hassan, the Church is optimistic that this will go a long way in decongesting correctional centres in the state.
The OPD said the partnership is in furtherance of its efforts to decongest correctional centres, provide free quality legal services and protect the rights of the indigent, women, children and other vulnerable persons in Lagos.
Receiving members of the Church, OPD Director Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju lamented situations where inmates are retained in correctional facilities for longer than necessary due to their inability to pay stipend fines and a lack of resources to engage the services of lawyers who can assist them.
She told the delegation that OPD shares similar goals with the Church in the areas of family protection, promotion of family values and provision of free legal services for the indigent, among others.
According to her, OPD will continue to visit all correctional facilities in the state every month to identify inmates awaiting trial to offer them free legal representation in court.
She, therefore, urged members of the public to take advantage of OPD’s free legal services to protect their rights and that of their family members, assuring them that “the OPD will not leave any stone unturned until everyone has equal access to justice and are protected under the law in Lagos State.”
Responding on behalf of the church, Mr. Ikpe George said the good work of OPD was in tandem with the church’s objectives, some of which are to serve humanity and to give back to society.
George praised the OPD for impacting society and families positively through free legal services and assured that the church would collaborate with the Office to strengthen family values and stem the tide of negative behaviour in society.
Other members of the church’s delegation were Mr. Charles Igholo, Mr. Olubunmi Adewale and Mr. Kome Akortha and they gave an assurance that the church would continue to partner with the OPD to pay the fines/penalties of indigent convicts.