Bridging the Gap: A Glimpse into some of the Activities of Legal Aid Council in ensuring Access to Justice.

Bridging the Gap: A Glimpse into some of the Activities of Legal Aid Council in ensuring Access to Justice.
On the 8th of April, 2024, the Custodial Centre Decongestion Unit of the Legal Aid Council, operating under the auspices of the Director – General’s office, embarked on a journey, beyond the confines of physical workspace to the Keffi Custodial Centre’s (Old) and (New) located just outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The coordinated visit included several members of staff from the Criminal Justice Department of the Council. This visit was preceded by a visit of the Custodial Unit earlier, on the 12th day of March, 2024 to the Suleja Medium Correctional Center, Niger State.
These are part of the scheduled visits, driven by the mandate of the Council – a voice to the voiceless, to those caught in the labyrinth of the legal system without representation.
Upon arrival at the Suleja Medium Custodial Center, a well-organized operation awaited the team. The Unit was presented with a list of persons in need of legal representation. This thoughtful preparation streamlined the task, and allowed focus for the interview of some additional individuals recently admitted into the facility, who lacked legal representation and who were not captured on the list.
At the Keffi Medium Custodial Centre (New) and (Old), the team were also welcomed by the Welfare and Record officers, for the exercise. The team accordingly interviewed the inmates and legal aid was granted to those qualified.
The purpose of these interviews, transcends mere paperwork; it’s a conduit for justice. Each conversation serves as a pivotal step towards ensuring that every individual, irrespective of their circumstances, has access to legal representation.
The Legal Aid Council acts as a bridge, connecting these individuals with the legal representation required to see to the progress of their cases and ensure that their rights are respected, protected and defended.
During these interviews, the team encountered several poignant concerns –
i. The presence of two minors, who are Sixteen (16) years – Female and Seventeen (17) years – Male at the Suleja and Keffi Mediun Security Custodial Centre’s respectively. It was observed that the female minor’s age had not been documented at the time of her arrest, highlighting a systemic flaw that often leaves vulnerable individuals overlooked and underserved.
ii. Lack of stable water supply presently encountered by the Keffi (New) Custodial Centre due to epileptic power supply and breakdown of the Power Generating Sets at the Centre.
iii. There were several persons on admission who were sent to the Suleja Custodial Centre on Remand Warrants and whose length of stay has exceeded the cumulative periods provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Reflecting on the foregoing, the Council is moved to reaffirm commitment to its statutory mandate – to ensure that justice is not a privilege but a right for all.
The Officer in Charge at the Keffi Mediun Custodial Centre, DC Israel Lamiya, in his interactions with the team, echoed the truth that within the walls of our Custodial Center’s, amidst the echoes of forgotten voices, the Legal Aid Council stands as a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to mend the tears in the fabric of justice, one case at a time.
The Legal Aid Council has an army of trained lawyers employed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out this mandate. In addition, it also maintains a register of Private Legal Practitioners and Non – Governmental Organizations willing to offer pro-bono legal services to indigent Nigerians on behalf of the Council as part of their Civic Social responsibility.

Written by:
Custodial Centre Decongestion Unit.
Legal Aid Council.