Office of Public Defender,OPD
VISION STATEMENT: To safeguard the fundamental human rights and freedom of the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups through a strong, vibrant and high quality pro bono service in collaboration with stakeholders, nationally and internationally.
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide qualitative legal aid through free representation in court and legal advice to promote respect for rights and freedoms, the law and constitution and to ensure that all persons resident in Lagos State irrespective of means, sex, tribe or religion have access to justice.
The Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice was established on July 24th, 2000 by the then Governor of the State, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to provide free and qualitative legal services to the indigent and oppressed residents of the state. The main objective for the establishment of the Office was to create an avenue; a forum that will be open to receive and legally deal with issues that affects the socio-economic rights of the indigent residents of Lagos State irrespective of tribal background and emphasis “was and is” on the “RIGHTS OF THE DISADVANTAGED IN LAGOS STATE”.
The OPD relocated from its former Head Office at Motorways Alausa Ikeja to its permanent site at 8,Iyun Street, adjacent the National Stadium, Lagos on December 10, 2011. This feat is attributable to the magnanimous gesture of the number one citizen of the State, His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who kept to his promise to provide a befitting Office to OPD. Majority of the workforce is now accomodated in the new edifice whilst two other units were established in Ikorodu and Ogba areas of Lagos State.
Departments/Unit.
- Legal Unit
- Administration
- Public Affairs
- Social Workers
Head Office: – 2/8, Iyun Road, Stadium/Barrack Busstop.
By Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, Lagos.
Ikorodu Office: The Combined High/Magistrate Court, Ita-
Elewa, Ikorodu Lagos.
Ogba Office: Samuel Ilori Court, Ogba, Agege, Lagos
Epe Offie: Ligali Ayorinde Combined Magistrate/High
Court Complex, Epe, Lagos
Toll Free: 070 80 60 10 80
Email: [email protected];
Opdlagosstate.gov.org;
Twitter: @opdlagos
Website: opdlagos.org