Abuja, Nigeria – As Nigeria dey waka with over 53,000 inmates wey dey wait for trial, experts don blow trumpet make Nigerian lawyers hold their professional standards tight when dem dey offer pro bono legal services. Dem don yarn say if lawyers go dey provide free legal assistance, e no suppose mean say quality or ethics go drop. Na so dem fit really help people wey no fit afford lawyers, make justice no be only for those wey get money.
Dem run this talk for Law for Humanity Summit 2025 wey happen yesterday for Abuja, organized by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC). Renowned legal guru, Prof. Omoniyi Akinola, drop bombshell for im keynote address, say ‘professionalism for pro bono work go increase public trust for our legal system’ (and e go make lawyers shine like stars!).
Im point out say when lawyers dey carry standard matter well, dem go fulfill dem duty to carry go justice, plus show say dem dey committed to rule of law and human rights. Prof. Akinola no be just any professor; im dey teach for Baze University, Abuja, and im be law clinician. E even suggest say make pro bono work enter the rule for how dem go select judges and notaries!
As the event dey unfold, dem discuss the theme wey say ‘The quintessential pro bono lawyer: Providing value without compromising professional Standards’. E part wey sweet for ear be say we go need plenty ethical legal aid for Nigeria justice system. Prof. Akinola sharply remind us say pro bono no suppose be for amateurs. E talk say: “Every client deserve the same quality of representation, whether dem get money or not. Pro bono no suppose translate to substandard service.” (True talk, abi?).
According to data wey collect from Nigerian Correctional Service, as wey journalists dey halla, 53,048 inmates dey there dey wait for trial, which be 66 percent, while 27,484 inmates don already collect conviction, wey be 34 percent. Na serious issue so o.
In her own contribution, Lucy Abagi wey be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PPDC, call for make bar and bench dey collaborate well. She also dey push make dem get serious funding for pro bono services because na serious matter wey need quick attention. If we wan talk about access to justice for poor Nigerians, e no fit dey fall hand.
No be only Lucy speak o, hallelujah! Halimat Yusuph from Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Pro Bono Centre, Bamidele Ibikunle wey dey represent Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, plus Anthony Ojo wey be Chairman of NBA Garki Branch, all come praise the PPDC for their efforts wey no dey slack in promoting access to justice. E be like say pro bono no be wahala again, but rather, hope for plenty Nigerians who dey suffer!
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