The Director General of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), Musa Idris Onogo, Esq., alongside some Law Officers of the Commission recently visited the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene, Kogi State.
The Director General and his team were received by the Officer in Charge of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Okene, Mr. Bello Tope.
The DG appreciated Mr. Bello for the warm reception. He noted that the Nigeria Correctional Service remained a critical stakeholder in the discharge of the Commission’s mandate.The DG while introducing the Commission said, “we are an agency of government established by the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) Law, 2018, which has the mandate to among others provide legal aid and other related services to the residents of Kogi State, particularly the less privileged, indigent and vulnerable”.
He added that the Commission provides legal representation free of charge to persons who can not afford the services of a private legal practitioner. He further stated that the Commission has the mandate to settle disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediums and it is also committed to the protection and preservation of the fundamental rights of all residents in the State.
He reiterated that the Commission receives petitions or complaints directly from individuals or by referral from government agencies, public and private institutions in the State. Barr. Onogo said the visit will, among others, afford the Commission the opportunity to take briefs of inmates who lack legal representation in court for inability to engage the services of a private legal practitioner.
“We are here to take up their matters pro bono” he added. He thanked the Officer in Charge of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene, and requested that he refer to the Commission cases where defendant(s) lack the capacity to engage a lawyer.”
The DG greatly thanked the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for making adequate provisions for PDCRC to effectively and efficiently discharge her mandate. In his response, the officer in charge of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene, Mr. Bello Tope expressed gratitude for the visit.
He congratulated Barr. Musa Idris Onogo on his appointment as Director General of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, PDCRC.
He also commended the Kogi State Government for the establishment of the Commission, which he said will help the less privileged to access justice. He noted that “the provision of free legal services to the indigent and disadvantaged defendants or persons in the State will in great measure aid the administration of justice”.
He assured the Director General of his partnership and that he would refer cases that need legal aid to the Commission for assistance. Consequently, Mr. Bello shared with the DG and his team two (2) cases which require legal representation. He said the defendants have been in custody because they lack the finance to engage a lawyer.
He stressed that “the most disturbing is the case of three (3) defendants who have been in custody since 20th May, 2023, without being arraigned before the High Court of Justice which has jurisdiction to entertain and determine the case against them”.
He noted that after they took them before the Chief Magistrate Court, Lokoja, on offences of Criminal Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of Fire Arm and the court remanded them at Okene Correctional facility, no steps have been taken in their case. He then requested the assistance and intervention of the Commission.
The DG, in his response, assured the Officer in Charge, NSC Okene of the Commission’s commitment and readiness to handle all cases that require legal aid. Barr. Onogo pledged that the Commission would intervene in the cases he mentioned and take necessary steps for their arraignment at the High Court and also provide defence for them.
The DG appreciated Mr. Bello presented to him a copy of the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022, and the Commission’s fliers.
Ameh Friday, Esq.Senior Legal Officer/Director General’s Legal Assistant.