Citizens Gavel Visits JDPM Oyo

The Citizens Gavel, a civic tech hub that aimed at ensuring human rights protection against all forms of abuse by security agency through technology paid Courtesy Visit to the Corporate Office of Justice, Development and Peace movement (JDPM), Oyo on 13th September, 2019.

The thrust of the visit was to discuss important issues on human right abuse by the security agencies, especially the Police in the cities and grassroots and to partner on Pro-bono legal representation for the active poor in the society.

The team led by Barrister Femi Ajibade alongside Jennifer Way and Joy Ikhie said, they were happy to visit JDPM Oyo as it would enabled them get acquainted with the good work the organization have been doing over the years, adding that human rights protection is always a volatile issue that need urgent holistic attention.

He maintained that Gavel who have organized a Town Hall Meeting in Ibadan to educate a few animated groups and civic movement a few month ago wished to expand his coverage to Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun region of the state because many people were dying in silence as a result of inability to hire a competent lawyer to challenge police brutality and seek redress in court and JDPM Oyo is seen as a role model that could assist in getting massive mobilization of people for the task.

Welcoming the team, the Head of Department, Politics and Human Rights (PHR), JDPM Oyo, Mr. Taiwo Dominic appreciated Gavel for their foresight and proactive disposition in addressing human rights abuse through technology leverage. He said the organization is interested in partnering with Gavel on training the Para-Legal members of Civil Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG) on capacity strengthening in such a way they could assist people protect their rights at the grassroots.

According to him “Many Nigerian did not pay attention to the dastardly act of the police officers who perpetually indulge in extortion, unjust conviction and indiscriminate assault on the poor masses because they are helpless in hiring a lawyer upon infringement on their rights. We are happy to see this type of initiative coming into being. It would definitely go a long way in checkmating the excesses of the police officers who often took law into their hand”.

In her submission, a member of Gavel, Jennifer Way said, “Gavel do not come to stop anyone from hiring a regular competent lawyer for cases. Rather, the organization comprises a team of Volunteer lawyers who are automatically linked to cases that is applicable to their jurisdiction via its newly launched mobile Application (podus)”

She added that the organization is well loaded with vibrant and seasoned legal experts and is poised to ensure compliance and enforcement of Luanda Guidelines on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Nigeria (ACJL) on arrest and detention of people in Oyo State and other part of Nigeria.

In his vote of thank, the Coordinator, JDPM Oyo, Rev Fr Gabriel Adeleke appreciated Gavel’s interest in JDPM Oyo. He assured them of full support and cooperation for their programme and urged them to build on the established cordial relationship which would benefit the people at the grassroots.

Father Gabriel added that Police brutality and unquestionable assault on the people in Nigeria is getting out of hand and should be checked to minimize human right abuse and depression in the society.

With the courtesy visit, it is expected that a productive networking, partnership and capacity strengthening for Para-legal officers under the Civic Movement (CCGG) would be made possible to protect human rights abuse by security agency in Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun region.