The European Union (EU), in partnership with the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA), is collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to provide free legal advice and services to residents of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
This initiative is part of efforts to ensure that Nigerians have access to legal services regardless of financial or social status.
The NBA Ikorodu branch, alongside the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the Duty Solicitors Network (DSN), organized a sensitization walk on October 1st, commemorating Nigeria’s Independence Day. The walk focused on raising awareness about human rights, particularly regarding domestic violence, child rights, disability rights, and general provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Through the EU’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, implemented by IIDEA, volunteer lawyers from the public and private sectors offer free legal aid services. This initiative seeks to protect citizens’ rights and advocates for good governance, accountability, and anti-corruption measures.
Bayo Akinlade, Convener of the DSN, highlighted that the volunteers visited police detention centres in the Ikorodu community, providing free legal services to inmates. Akinlade emphasized the importance of educating the public on accessing justice, with support from the EU helping them expand their outreach to more vulnerable communities.
Ajibola Ijimakinwa, State Project Coordinator for RoLAC, noted that their mission is to make justice accessible to society’s most vulnerable, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, and victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
The NBA Ikorodu Chairperson, Olawumi Adeola, further explained that the partnership with the EU has expanded the organization’s capacity to provide legal services to a larger portion of the community.
Additionally, Iyabo Akingbade, State Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, emphasized that the Council’s partnership with this initiative aligns with their mandate to educate and protect the rights of vulnerable people, offering free legal representation to those in need.
The initiative has been well received by the community, with residents like Taiwo Abiola, a landlord, benefiting from legal advice that helped him understand how to resolve tenant disputes through legal channels rather than taking matters into his own hands.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward improving Nigerians’ access to justice and ensuring the protection of their fundamental rights.
