Extra Judicial Killing: Edo to set up Office of Public Defender

Oshiomhole4

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has announced his government has concluded plans to establish an Office of Public Defender.

The governor made the announcement Friday while addressing members of the State Civil Society Organisations who paid him a visit in his office at the state government house in Benin.

“I have been concerned about reported cases of people who have been killed under very suspicious circumstances allegedly by law enforcement agencies. One thing I have promised, in the spirit of this meeting, I would fast track it by next week as to establish the office of public defender within the Ministry of Justice and ensure that the office is not connected to people in government otherwise it would be afflicted by the disease that attack the public service.

“It will be controlled by non-governmental organization, the cost of servicing the office would be borne by government but the officer will hold the office at the pleasure of non-governmental organization. That way, it would be faithful to the NGOs and not the state government,” Oshiomhole said.

The Governor who thanked the civil society organizations for helping to raise awareness on human rights, saying “I believe that the NGOs are playing an important role in the socio-economic life of the state.

“We do need to sensitize our people to make contributions to those who have chosen to provide voice for the voiceless. You have a lot to do to encourage people to insist on their rights, economic rights, and political rights.

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“Thank you for your contributions to the Internally Displaced Persons Camp. Initially, I was not clear of your contributions but I have made investigations and I am now clear. It’s a genuine camp and we are now ready to provide formal support. We as the as the heartbeat of the nation, we will show that we are the most hospitable state in Nigeria by the way we provide for those in need and distress and make them feel welcome. We are working on some things to see how we can build a Primary School there.

“The bill on disabled persons, the challenge is for you to lobby effectively and persuade the House of Assembly to accelerate the process so that the bill can be concluded and available for signing into law.

“I want to thank you for your resolution to dedicate your 5th Anniversary to the memory of my late wife and for your kind initiative to us. I will convey it to my children and their new mother,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGOS) in the state, Comrade Jude Obasanmi, while announcing that the organization would celebrate its fifth anniversary on 2 October, disclosed that anniversary has been dedicated to the memory of late wife of the governor, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole.

Obasanmi urged the governor to constitute the SACA Board to sensitize the people on dangers of the HIV/AIDS.

P.M. NEWS recalls that following the murder of his late Private Principal Secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, who was murdered five years ago, Governor Oshiomhole promised to establish office of public defender, to assist family members of extra judicial killings who may need legal assistance to prosecute erring officers.

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