Fagbemi Urges Legal Aid Council to Ensure Justice Access

On Wednesday, during the inauguration of the Board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN) in Abuja, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, emphasized that poverty should not impede access to justice for Nigerians. He stated that over 70 percent of inmates in correctional facilities are unable to pay fines or afford legal representation.

Fagbemi described the LACoN as the moral compass of the justice delivery system, highlighting its role in ensuring that economic disparities do not obstruct basic rights. He charged the board to provide strong policy direction and to implement operational mechanisms like the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitors Scheme (CDSS) to alleviate congestion in detention facilities and protect human rights.

Fagbemi also urged the board to engage in ongoing reforms under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and to foster partnerships with development partners and the Nigerian Bar Association to enhance legal aid services.