The Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE) and Legal Aid Council with support from British Council’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program, in collaboration with The Elixir Trust Foundation (ETF) and NOPRIN Foundation held a community awareness and free legal aid clinic for vulnerable persons in Ijaiye-Ogba, Lagos State.
The event is in furtherance of implementing a donor funded project “Improving Access to Legal Advice and Services for Vulnerable Persons in Nigeria”, under the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS).
The programme held on Saturday, 3rd July, 2021, at the palace of the Baale (Traditional Chief) of Ijaiye-Ogba community in Lagos State.
The objectives of the programme were to raise awareness on access to justice for the vulnerable groups – women, children and Persons Living with Disability (PLWD) as well as to follow up with legal assistance as may be required by the communities in the Ijaiye-Ogba axis.
It also aimed at providing them with the opportunity to free legal counsel and educate them on their legal rights as citizens of Nigeria as well as Toll-free numbers to contact in cases where they were in need of urgent legal assistance (0800 300 300 300).
In his welcome address, the founder of Elixir Trust Foundation and National Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) Foundation, Mr. Ikule Emmanuel welcomed participants and thanked the Lawyers who were present for taking out time from their busy schedule to volunteer with the initiative.
Ikule while highlighting the objectives of the programme, noted that it was important for those who were unable to afford legal help and access to justice to be aware of the assistance and resources available to them and provided by various civil society organizations working in the area of justice and police reforms.
He gave examples of communal, social and family issues where the people might require legal aid and counsel, including; land disputes, landlords and rent / tenancy, abuse and domestic violence amongst others.
He assured the participants that they had access to a network of organizations and legal consultants who would ensure they get justice and counsel, no matter the nature of their case.
Mr. Ikule also used the occasion to give a short introduction of the Elixir Trust Foundation and REPLACE as well as their achievements in the area of legal aid and the reform of the criminal justice system.
While lawyers present at the event took turns to introduce themselves and their areas of specialization, participants were also given the opportunity to introduce themselves and share the various challenges they faced with law enforcement as well as the areas where they needed legal assistance.
They were provided with resource persons to educate them on their legal rights when arrested by the Police or faced with law enforcement agents and to increase their capacity on Human Rights knowledge. Participants were also given Toll-free numbers to contact in cases where they were in need of urgent legal assistance.
Shortly after the discussions, participants all came forward in turns for private legal consultation with the lawyers present while expressing their appreciation to Elixir Trust Foundation and REPLACE for giving them the opportunity to be informed on their legal rights and providing them with access to free legal assistance.
Photo: Founder of Elixir Foundation and National Coordinator, NOPRIN Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Ikule.
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