Lagos – Centre for Citizens with Disability, an NGO, on Saturday urged government to close all barriers impeding people with disabilities (PWDs) access to justice in the country.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr David Anyaele, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He urged the Chief Judge, Lagos State, Mrs Oluwafunmilola Atilade, to take appropriate steps to close all barriers hindering ‘People with Disabilities’ (PWDs) access to justice in the state.
Anyaele spoke on the sideline of the organisation’s presentation of a research report on access to justice for persons with disabilities to the judge.
“Over the years, the justice administrators have been silent on access to justice for PWDs.
“This is because there is no legal framework that protects PWDs from discrimination and harmful practices and as such they are more vulnerable.
“Justice for PWDs in Nigeria is very slim, particularly in Lagos State.
“It is slim because there are constitutional, environmental, as well as attitudinal barriers that hinder citizens with disabilities from effective participation in the justice system on equal basis with others,’’ he said.
Anyaele said that the report he presented was meant to sensitise justice providers on the urgent need to allow the PWDs to benefit from the state’s special people’s law.
According to him, the special people’s law provides that all harmful practices against PWDs must be prohibited, specifically, all state and non-state actors must conduct their services in such a way that PWDs would benefit.
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He said that the law, which was signed in 2011 by the state’s former governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola would expire in July, 2016.
“Specifically, we are calling on the judiciary to provide sign language interpreters for the deaf in the court and also put ramps, elevators where necessary to enable the physically challenged access the court premises.
“Beyond that, we are asking them to take appropriate steps to build their capacities on the rise of citizens with disabilities to enable them implement the law as being provided for us,’’ Anyaele said.
In a remarks, Mrs Funmi Ajayi, Deputy Chief Registrar, Ikeja High Court, representing the Chief Judge, said a committee would be set up to look into the issues concerning PWDs access to justice in court.
Ajayi said that issues raised in the report were all guaranteed in the constitution.
“We assure you that by the time we sit with the executives, we will bring these issues before them and will take it to the right quarters for implementation.
“The issue of interpreters is very important, therefore, there will be a need to train more interpreters.
“A committee will be set up to address these issues,’’ she said.
The Registrar implored members of CCD not to relent in the pursuit of justice for PWDs. (NAN)
