BY NGOZI NWANKWO, ABUJA – The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, has declared that persons with disabilities must have an express platform to justice in any case of discrimination as part of efforts aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity towards ensuring fairness in the administration of justice for Persons with Disabilities,
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, who stated the position of the Commission at a 2-day Sensitization Workshop in Abuja, also decried the history of denials that have raged on in the community over the years before the establishment of the Commission.
Gufwan noted that many persons with disabilities have suffered depression through maltreatment from various segments of the society.
The Executive Secretary expressed gratitude to disability Partners who champion advocacy on the fundamental rights and thanked the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) for supporting the Commission to impact knowledge on the legal practitioners in the administration of justice for Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria.
Gufwan urged the participants to make the Disability Act a living document beyond the letters.
At the technical session, Marcus Florence took the attendees on sections of the Act which relates to access to justice, saying that the Act needs to be amended to accommodate and expressly provide for clear access to justice beyond the functions of the Commission as stated in sections 38 & 39.
In his own remarks, Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, Director Compliance and Enforcement of the Commission, corroborated the need to ensure full compliance of the Act in order to make life more comfortable for Persons With Disabilities, stressing that public infrastructure must have reasonable accommodation.
In his own paper presentation, Mr Joseph Okon, Director, Legal services, Mr. Joseph Okon during his paper presentation centered on Operating guidelines of legal protection and Redress in discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) 2018 Act, said the Unit has established a monitoring system that facilitates the principles of inclusivity that provides cover for the abused.
Present at the meeting were legal luminaries from Disability Rights Commission, Anambra State and the judicial council.
