…unveils plan for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The Anambra State Disabilities Rights Commission in collaboration with the Right of Law and Anti Corruption (RoLAC) of the British Council have set in motion plans for the actualization of legal representation of persons with disabilities to ensure justice, for the victimised members.
The Commission also proposed a tour to special education centres, particularly Basden memorial school Isulo, Special school for the deaf Odakpu Onitsha among others with the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo.
Speaking during an interactive session on thursday, 21st Nov, 2024 with legal practitioners, the media and welfare commission, the Commission Chairman, Barrister Ezewuzie Chukwuka disclosed that Unveiling of the commission plan for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is also part of the line up programmes by the commission.
“The commission is happy to announce that RoLAC have kicked off operational framework of the legal commission of the Disability Rights Law to assist victimised persons with disabilities. “RoLOC have partnered with the commission to train lawyers at national commission office Abuja on laws protecting Rights of Persons with Disabilities which pave way for lawyers to offer Pro Bono to cases”.
According to Barrister Ezewuzie, the lawyers and the ministry of justice will ensure that Section 20 and 23 of Anambra state Right Laws of Persons with Disabilities stands favored to victims with impediments and for justice for them.
However, some of the vitimised Persons who spoke to newsmen expressed sadness and infringement to their fundamental human rights.
Victor Onwudiegwu, a deaf person, from Nanka in Orumba North who works at the Aguata Local Government Area as a civil servant narrating his ordeal said, “I went to Federal Road Safety, Aguata office, to get my driver’s License which I paid 38,000 naira to get. After two weeks, I was told that the office cannot issue a deaf person Driver’s License. I feel bad about it, my right have been tampered on and that is why I want to seek for justice.
Another victim, a rape case, miss Ozioma Ngudle from Enugu ukwu also narrating her ordeal said she decided to visit my girlfriend around 6pm in the evening before she became victim of rape.
Meanwhile, Barrister Ezewuzie disclosed that it is against the law to deny a deaf man driver’s License under the Anambra State on Disability Rights Law and the National Prohibition Act for the disability.
In a seperate speech Nwekeagu Ozoemena Shadrach, Associate State Project Officer RoLAC appreciated the Chairman Disability Rights Act, Anambra, the Barrister, the media and the Child protection Network for their efforts so far while assuring of continued support and collaboration to Persons with Disability.
He gave an account of another victim, an Albino resident at the military barrack, Onitsha who was stabbed by his the friend that visited from Imo State but at night attempted to kill him on premise that Albinos have special powers to make one rich.
According to Ezewuzie, it was the sudden scream that alerted the soldiers who came and resuced him. He cited that although the alleged perpertrator was arrested and kept the Awkuzu Police Station, he disclosed that the police have asked for money to take up the case to the court.
The commission is equally proposing to Governor Soludo to embark on an inspection with the commission to some special science schools.
“We will join the United Nations scimicast to ensure processes are done from 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th December and topics include summit on investment opportunities in disability courses, lifting persons with disability from state of paranoia to state of pronoia, Commission Family Day; Defeating social Anhedonia, Road show and public awareness and thanksgiving on Sunday to wrap up the activities”.
Those present were Chairman Emeritus, Aguata Deaf Association, Barrister Nwanna from Awka, Oliver from Aguata Bar Association, Bar Ezekwe also from Bar Association Aguata and Barrister Moneke
Prof Ubanyionwu to assist him. Barrister Ezekwe to stand up for the case.
