Lagos State Ministry of Justice has offered free legal consultation to residents of Epe community and its environs to enable them get easy access to justice.

Speaking during the awareness programme, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje, stated that the free legal clinic was organised to ensure that residents of Epe get acquainted with the agencies and directorates of the ministry and equally understand their respective roles.

Shitta-Bey-Jeje, who was represented by the Director of Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Mrs Abiola Oseni, said the initiative was meant to educate and sensitise members of the public to their fundamental human rights and the appropriate agencies to consult whenever there’s an infringement on their rights as citizens of the state.

The permanent secretary further stated that the state government was very keen on the fundamental rights of the residents, reiterating the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration towards ensuring members of the public enjoy free and quick access to Justice.

She said the joint free legal clinic team, made up of all legal service-oriented departments and agencies in the ministry, included the Office of Public Defender; Citizens’ Mediation Centre; Public Advice Centre; Community Service Unit; Office of the Administrator-General & Public Trustee; Directorate of Citizens Rights; and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, amongst others, and would render their services for free.

Shitta-Bey-Jeje urged the residents to disassociate from self-help and take advantage of free legal services put in place by the state government.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson of Epe Local Government, Princess Animashaun, appreciated the ministry of justice for the laudable free legal clinic initiative.

In his remarks, the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, represented by the Olowa of Epe land, Chief Adaramaja Oluomo, urged the residents of the Epe community to embrace the services provided by directorates and agencies of the ministry, noting that not all matters should be taken to court.

The free legal

clinic exercise has also been scheduled to hold at Ikorodu, Iba, Alimosho and the Ibeju Lekki environs.

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