An NGO, the Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has urged the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to provide adequate legal protection for physically challenged people in the state.
The Programme Officer, CCD, Lagos, Ms Christiana Njoku, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ibadan during the team’s advocacy visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
Njoku said that civic space rights was the foundation of inclusive governance, and that without it, the physically challenged in the society would remain voiceless and vulnerable.
‘By creating a legal safety net for civic actors with disabilities, the ministry will stand as a true protector of rights and justice in the state.
‘We look forward to your positive response and collaboration towards expanding civic space rights for physically challenged persons, and rebuilding a more inclusive justice system in the state, she said.
Njoku urged the ministry to create a dedicated legal support system within the ministry to handle civic rights cases of physically challenged persons in civic activism
She further urged the ministry to provide free and fast legal representation when physically challenged persons were harassed, attacked or unlawfully detained.
The programmme officer called for a formal partnership with the Office of the Public Defender in order to prioritise cases involving physically challenged persons.
‘There is need to organise training for justice officials on civic rights and disability inclusion, this will help to drive justice sector policies that protect civic rights of physically challenged people.
‘Civic actors with physical challenges face harassments and intimidation, institutional neglect, communication barriers, among others in a daily basis’, she said.
The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Oluwabunmi Are said that the state government was committed to protecting the rights and privileges of physically challenged people.
‘We have many of them as desk officers in our offices, the government is already supporting them, and they have a voice in the governance of the state.
‘However, we shall look at your requests to see areas we can improve on, we shall endeavour to incorporate them’, she said.
Speaking on behalf of the physically challenged, Mr Musa Akinsawe, thanked the state government for the ‘sense of belonging’ accorded them in the scheme of things.
‘We are however asking for more support and inclusion in governance and other critical areas’, he said.
