The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called for strengthened legal protection and improved access to justice for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Oyo State during a strategic advocacy visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Justice in Ibadan.
The visit, held on February 24, 2026, was supported by the Fund for Global Human Rights and the Action Group on Free Civic Space. The CCD delegation met with the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Oluwatoyin Are, Esq., alongside senior officials. Cluster Heads of Persons with Disabilities, representatives of the disability community, and members of the media were also present.
Speaking during the meeting, CCD Project Officer, Christiana Njoku, introduced the organisation and outlined its work in promoting inclusion and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. She highlighted CCD’s ongoing project on Expanding Civic Space Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Oyo State.
The Senior Programme Officer, Florence Attah, presented key findings from the project, noting that while civic space rights guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and participation in governance, civic actors with disabilities often face harassment, intimidation, communication barriers, institutional neglect, and limited access to justice.
To address these challenges, CCD urged the Ministry to establish a dedicated legal support system for civic rights cases involving persons with disabilities, provide free and expedited legal representation for affected individuals, and strengthen collaboration with the Office of the Public Defender to prioritise disability-related matters.
The organisation also recommended training for justice officials on disability inclusion, accessible court processes including sign language interpreters and assistive technology, as well as improved physical access to justice facilities.
In her response, the Permanent Secretary commended CCD for its advocacy and reaffirmed the Oyo State Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. She assured the delegation that the Ministry would review the recommendations to enhance access to justice in the state.
The Senior State Counsel and Legal Officer of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities disclosed that a related disability-focused request previously presented to the State Assembly has reached the Governor’s desk and is awaiting signing and adoption.
Representatives of the disability community, including the Oyo State Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), applauded the collaboration and called for deeper inclusion in governance processes. The Deaf Cluster also appealed for the engagement of sign language interpreters to improve communication within the justice system.
CCD’s Finance and Administrative Manager, Mrs. Florence Austin, appreciated the Ministry’s openness and pledged continued engagement and follow-up to ensure that persons with disabilities in Oyo State can fully exercise their civic space rights and access justice on an equal basis with others.
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