Lagos State Government, yesterday, said the Office of the Public Defender, OPD, now Bureau of Public Defender, BPD, has recovered N815 million and $52,000 in compensation for indigent residents since its establishment 25 years ago.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, disclosed this at the agency’s silver jubilee celebration. According to Sanwo-Olu, “The most remarkable achievement is not in the numbers but in the human stories families reunited, dignity restored, victims of abuse protected, and voices once silenced now heard.”
The BPD has grown into a vital pillar of Lagos State’s justice system, providing legal assistance to indigent residents. The agency was created in 2000 under former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Attorney-General. It has since become a full-fledged agency with its headquarters in Surulere and nine offices across the state.
The Bureau of Public Defender has an impressive track record, having managed nearly 50,000 court cases, resolved over 14,000 petitions through mediation, and maintained an 86% success rate in litigation. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, said, “The OPD was born of a vision to make justice available to every Lagosian, not just the privileged. Today, that vision has become a reality.”
The agency’s work goes beyond numbers, highlighting human stories of families reunited, dignity restored, and victims of abuse protected. Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of digital innovation, partnerships, and commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. He urged the agency to “embrace digital innovation, strengthen partnerships, and deepen its commitment to protecting the vulnerable.”
The Bureau of Public Defender has been instrumental in providing access to justice for indigent residents, and its work has been recognized as a model for other states. With its impressive track record and commitment to justice, the agency continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Lagos residents.
The Lagos State Government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, with Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasizing the need for continued support and innovation in addressing the needs of indigent residents. The Bureau of Public Defender’s work is a testament to the government’s efforts to promote justice and equality for all.
