A man with hearing impairment, in Nanka, Ọrumba North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra state, Mr Victor Onwudiegwu, has dragged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to court over refusal to issue him a driving license.
Onwudiegwu, who is a civil servant, reportedly applied for a driving license at the Agụta office of FRSC but was denied access to the license based on his being deaf.
The chairman of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC), Barr Chuks Ezewuzie, who disclosed this at the unveiling of the agenda for the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, said they have initiated legal actions on Onwudiegwu’s behalf through the Pro Bono lawyers of the agency.
According to Ezewuzie, the commission has also initiated legal actions on behalf of three other Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), including Mr Nwokedi Philip, a person living with Albinism who escaped a ritual killing attempt from a friend, and Mrs Ifeoma Ejidike, disfigured by brother’s inlaw.
Ezewuzie said the Pro Bono lawyers, powered by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) program, were ready to defend and protect the rights of PWDs as enshrined in the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018.
“Our partnership and collaboration with the State Ministry of Justice and others will provide no excuse not to seek redress in court in accordance with sections 20 and 23 of Anambra State Disability Rights law. So if the rights of PWDs are infringed upon, they are now empowered to go to court and seek redress – the lawyers will represent them even where they are charged,” he added.
Earlier, the RoLAC representative at the occasion, Mr Shedrack Nwekeagu, explained that the programme was not relenting in assisting the PWDs to secure justice.
He urged the commission to leverage on the 2018 Anambra State Disability Rights law and pro bono lawyers to fast track the processes.