Lagos State’s commitment to accessible justice was on full display yesterday as the Bureau of Public Defender, formerly the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), marked its 25th anniversary, revealing that it has recovered N815 million and $52,000 in compensation for indigent residents since its inception. The milestone was highlighted during a silver jubilee celebration held at Victoria Island, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada.
Governor Sanwo-Olu traced the origins of the agency to its establishment in 2000 under then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, serving as Attorney-General. The governor emphasized that the OPD, which was created to ensure justice is available to every Lagosian, has evolved into a cornerstone of the state’s justice system. “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,” he said.
Over the years, the bureau has managed nearly 50,000 court cases, resolved more than 14,000 petitions through mediation, and maintained an 86 percent success rate in litigation. Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the true measure of the agency’s success lies in its human impact: families reunited, dignity restored, victims of abuse protected, and previously silenced voices empowered.
The governor also noted that the office was formally upgraded to a Bureau of Public Defender on March 20, 2025, a move aimed at improving efficiency and expanding its reach. He urged the agency to embrace digital innovation, deepen collaborations, and maintain its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the bureau as a legacy of visionary leadership. He noted that since inception, the agency has handled over 200,000 petitions. Pedro recounted the bureau’s journey from a modest unit under the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights to a full-fledged agency with headquarters in Surulere and nine offices across Lagos, including Ajegunle, Ajah, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Agege, Ogba, and Alimosho. “The journey of the OPD proves that when the government, the Bar, the Bench, and civil society work together, the rule of law is strengthened and the vulnerable are protected,” he said.
Reflecting on the bureau’s evolution, Pedro shared his personal experience, having joined the Ministry of Justice in 1987 and serving as Solicitor-General until 2015. “I was there at the beginning, when the OPD was first conceived as a bold response to the urgent need to make justice accessible to every indigent Lagosian. To stand here 25 years later and see how far it has come is both humbling and inspiring,” he said.
The silver jubilee celebration not only highlighted the agency’s financial recoveries but also underscored its transformative impact on thousands of residents, cementing its role as a vital institution in Lagos’ pursuit of equitable justice for all.
