The Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre (RoLAC) have urged stronger collaboration among justice-sector institutions, civil society, and international partners to bolster access to justice and legal services for vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
Speaking at a validation workshop in Abuja, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of PRAWA and Associate Professor of Criminology and Security Studies, reviewed the outgoing 2017–2022 National Legal Aid Strategy and highlighted gaps in its implementation. She emphasised that the upcoming draft strategy for 2026–2030 must be actionable, trackable and workable to truly serve indigent Nigerians.
At the state level, Abia State Legal Aid Council’s State Coordinator, Obinna Odenigbo, provided an assessment of the former strategy’s achievements and challenges, including understaffing, inadequate funding, low awareness, and procedural bottlenecks that hinder the delivery of legal assistance.
Similarly, Mr Mohammad Kofa, Coordinator of Legal Aid in Kano State, noted that bureaucracy and procedural delays continue to hinder the effectiveness of legal aid. He called for reforms that simplify processes and expand service reach.
The workshop, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), gathered representatives from the NBA, correctional centres, police authorities, senior lawyers, and other stakeholders. Together, they emphasized the urgency of developing the 2026-2030 Legal Aid Strategy to fill the systemic gaps in the current framework.
A formal report based on the workshop’s findings is expected in the coming weeks, which will inform stakeholders and legislators working on the new strategy. (News Agency of Nigeria)
