Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission pays Advocacy Visit to Dekina Traditional Council
By: Chukwu Peace Chioma , Public Relation Officer (PDCRC)
The Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) recently paid a strategic advocacy visit to the Dekina Traditional Council. The visit was hosted by His Royal Majesty Usman Adaje 001 of Dekina, popularly known by his noble title Adagu. With an esteemed 29-year reign and a distinguished background as a retired DSS officer in Ilorin (1988), Adagu received the PDCRC delegation with great honor and expressed his strong interest in their legal and humanitarian mission.
This visit formed part of the Commission’s ongoing grassroots engagement to promote public understanding and enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2022 (VAPP Law), while also reinforcing the vital role traditional institutions play in the fight for justice and human rights.
The session commenced with an introduction by Chukwu Peace Chioma, the Public Relations Officer of PDCRC, who respectfully acknowledged Adagu, Medoga Aidu, and other distinguished members of the royal council. She introduced the PDCRC team and described the Commission as a government agency established to offer free legal and related services to indigent residents of Kogi State. Emphasizing the importance of their community outreach, she invoked the popular adage: “Our people say that a toad does not run in the daytime for nothing—it’s either something is pursuing it, or it’s pursuing something.” She made it clear that the PDCRC is “pursuing something”—justice, equity, and protection for the vulnerable.
Hon. Idris Esq., Director General of PDCRC, commended the royal council for their hospitality and stressed the importance of collaboration between statutory legal systems and traditional institutions. He noted that the VAPP Law is designed to protect citizens—regardless of gender, status, or background—from various forms of abuse, and emphasized the power of traditional rulers in preventing and resolving such issues in their communities.
Speaking further, Hibat Esq., Head of the Commission’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Unit, addressed the importance of protection orders and the role of Protection Officers. She explained that these officers are legally mandated to ensure the safety of victims, especially in situations where threats to life or property exist. Protection orders serve as powerful legal tools to shield individuals—especially women and children—from violence and harmful practices. She emphasized that community support is critical for the effective implementation of these protections.
In a key part of the engagement, Emmanuel Ibenu Esq. delivered an in-depth explanation of the VAPP Law in the Igala Language, helping to ensure broader understanding and community participation. His use of the local language was well received and contributed to deepening the connection between legal principles and cultural context.
A significant highlight of the visit was the discussion on harmful traditional practices still being carried out in some communities in Dekina. The PDCRC drew attention to a deeply troubling custom “Ibegu” whereby, upon the death of a husband, the children—especially male children—are taken away from their mother. This is often justified by a belief that if the widow is allegedly flirtatious and uses “tainted” money (from presumed promiscuity) to care for her children, the male children may suffer misfortunes or even death. However, the Commission emphasized that in today’s society, many individuals exploit this age-old belief to inflict injustice on grieving widows, often framing them without evidence and forcibly taking their children without legal or moral justification.
This practice, PDCRC explained, has led to multiple human rights violations, some of which the Commission is currently handling. These abuses are often perpetuated under the guise of tradition, making sensitization and legal education more urgent than ever.
During the interactive session, Adagu and the council members expressed concern over the revelations and pledged to work closely with the Commission in identifying and addressing such practices. The traditional council agreed on the importance of balancing tradition with justice and the rule of law.
In his closing remarks, HRH Adagu commended the PDCRC for their transparency, dedication, and respectful engagement. He assured them of the full cooperation of the Dekina Traditional Council in promoting legal literacy, protecting rights, and addressing all forms of abuse and injustice within the community.
The visit was both impactful and enlightening, strengthening the relationship between PDCRC and traditional authorities in Dekina. It marked a meaningful step toward a more just and informed society—one in which harmful customs are replaced by laws that honor human dignity and protect the vulnerable.