By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos State government, through the Public Advice Centre (PAC), has vowed to alleviate the difficulties that indigents in the State face while trying to access justice, assuring that the present administration has made it possible for everybody, irrespective of religion, sex, tribe, rich or poor to have equal access to justice.
Speaking at a sensitisation programme organised by the government in Badagry, the Director, Public Advice Center, Mrs Tola Akinsanya said that investigation has revealed that a lot of people could not access justice because of the cost and this has made some of them resort to self-help.
She continued by saying that PAC resolved to sensitise the public on a wide range of legal issues due to the fact that some citizens are ignorant of avenues to seek redress when their rights are infringed upon.
Mrs Akinsanya disclosed that the State Government has set up offices and put in place structures and systems, through the Ministry of Justice, where every resident of the state can receive legal assistance to protect them from injustice.
In her words, “One of such offices is the Public Advice Centre (PAC) which serves as the first port of call for residents of the State in distress including those whose rights have been violated and seeking information on their rights and responsibilities. This Office is accessible to all residents in the State and its services are free.”
She emphasised that the Centre plays a very vital role in the lives of residents of the State, through the provision of free independent information and legal advice to the people of the State seeking to know what their rights and responsibilities are on a wide range of issues.
While noting that it is the vision of the State to have a community that is safe for everyone, the Director urged members of the public to take advantage of the free services provided by the state government through the centre.
Adedapo Adesanya