Office of the Public Defender

VISION
To ensure just and fair society.

MISSION
The central purpose and role of the Office of the Public Defender is defined as:

• Promote access to Justice for the Indigent through collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders and institutions.
• Promote, protect, and defend the rights of indigent citizens.
• Strengthen and support the Justice sector through the adoption of plans and policies at the Local, State and Federal levels.
• Provide free legal representation for the indigent citizens as the need arises.
• Promote the settlement of matters through the Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanism.

Governing Council of the Office

In accordance with section 5 of the Law establishing the Office, The Governing Council of the office is as follows:

1. Chairman
2. Executive Secretary
3. Two (2) Part-time members
4. Representative of International Federation of Women Lawyers’ (FIDA)
5. Representative of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ekiti State.

Function Of the Executive Secretary of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD)

Section 2 of the OPD Law, states the major functions of the Office as follows:
(a)  Provision of free legal services and advice in accordance with the law;
(b)  Receive complaint directly from individuals or referrals, from government offices, public institutions and private institutions;
(c)  Investigate complaint or referrals made to it;
(d)  Prepare necessary legal documents, negotiate settlement or give legal   advice necessary to fulfill the purpose of this law.
(e)  Endeavor to resolve matter brought before it by way of Alternative    Dispute Resolution.
(f)  Publicize its services by informing and sensitizing the public about its services.
(g)  The Office of the Public Defender refers complaints brought before it to other government agencies, non-governmental organizations of another body that shall assist it to perform its functions.
(h)  Organize symposium, conferences, educational activities, workshop and exchange programmes on legal aid and related matters in furtherance of its function.
Section 11 of the law empowers the Office of the Public Defender to attend to cases of both civil and criminal matters in Courts

There are four Departments in the Office and their functions are as follows:

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S OFFICE

The Executive Secretary is the Accounting Officer, having the following units;

1. Internal Audit
2. Planning, Research, Statistics
3. Library and Public Relations
4. ICT

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPLIES:

1. Oversee all personnel matters.
2. Coverage of meetings.
3. General correspondence (memo etc.)
4. Oversee sanitation and security matters.
5. Maintenance of government physical assets i.e. Vehicles, Building, Furniture and utility.
6. General procurement and supervision of store and;
7. Any other duties that may be assigned.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS:

1. Collation and rendition of returns.
2. Maintenance and Control of Revenue Records.
3. Attending to relevant financial matters.
4. Serve as secretariat to Cash Allocation Committee Meeting.
5. Preparation of Annual Appropriation Account.
6. Control and maintenance of necessary records, Bank Accounts.
7. Board of survey and enquiries.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL LITIGATION

1. Defending indigent persons in civil cases in court.
2. Mediate between contending parties.

The Department commenced operation in January 2016.  It has handled and concluded several matters both in court and through mediation in the following areas:

1. Contract
2. Child’s Rights, Custody and Maintenance
3. Employment/Employee
4. Land matters
5. Landlord/Tenant
6. Domestic violence
7. Dissolution of marriage
8. Debt recovery
9. Recovery of possession (Properties, Monies).
10. Compensations
11. Family Matters/Marital Issues

DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL MATTERS

The Department is saddled with the responsibility of defending indigent persons in criminal cases in court.  The Department has power to invite parties, for mediation, and also refer matters to other law enforcement agencies for prosecution where need be. The following are some of the areas covered by the department;

1. Domestic Violence
2. Sexual abuse
3. Unlawful arrest/Detention
4. Armed Robbery matters
5. Burglary etc.

The Office carries out various advocacy programmes frequently through various media programmes, especially with Ekiti State Broadcasting Service. We also have frequent interface with the Commissioner of Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies within the State.

The Office often organize workshops and sensitizations on the Roles of Stakeholders in Curbing Domestic Violence, sexual abuse and general vices for Law Enforcement Agencies/Organizations having the same objectives with OPD.

The Office also roll out Sexual Abuse Awareness Programmes for secondary schools students to curb the menace across the State.

1. Continuation of Sensitization on curbing Sexual Abuse Programmes in Secondary Schools across the State.
2. Sensitization of primary school pupils on their rights in accordance with Child’s Rights Law.
3. Interfacing with Market Women on the rights of children.
4. Public Awareness on the need to explore the ADR Mechanisms, e.g., Mediation
5. Strengthening and collaboration with Palaces’ Courts within the State
6. Interfacing and synergizing with the various law enforcement agencies within the State.

1. Fidelity
2. Bravery
3. Integrity

• Inadequate administrative officers.
• No required continuous educational training for the technical and professional staff (Counsel and Mediators)/ICT.
• Vehicle/Mobility – Lack of functional vehicles for the execution of daily official errands.
• No security guards
• Hazard allowance.
• Unavailability of mobility to visit locus in quo.