The Director of the Directorate of Citizens Rights in Lagos State, Oluwatoyin Odusanya, has assured inmates in all correctional facilities in the state of free legal representation in court.

Odusanya, who stated this during a quarterly visit to the facilities, said the state government was concerned about the numbers of awaiting trial cases in the state.

The director noted that the department conducted prison watch services to ensure that the rights of inmates, especially those awaiting trial, were protected under the law.

She said, “The quarterly visit is part of the directorate’s regular tour of correctional centres across the state to implement the state government’s policy of easy access to justice by all.

“The visit is to ensure that those awaiting trial have legal representation in conjunction with the Office of the Public Defender and the community service unit, as the state government is highly concerned about the increasing number of those awaiting trial across the state.”

The Deputy Controller, Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Dare Opadeji; Assistant Controller, Badagry Correctional Centre, Sanni Ojo; and Deputy Controller, Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, Lixxie Ekpendu, said the visit would give some of the inmates hope. PUNCH