Abuja: The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has called upon the Governing Board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to broaden free legal representation and introduce measures aimed at decreasing the number of inmates awaiting trial. Fagbemi emphasized this during the inauguration of the council’s governing board on Wednesday in Abuja, highlighting that access to justice should be viewed as a national security requirement rather than merely a social welfare issue.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the board, chaired by retired Justice Sulyman Kawu, a distinguished Nigerian jurist and former Chief Judge of Kwara, is expected to lead strategic policy initiatives that enhance the council’s operational frameworks such as the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitors Scheme (CDSS). These schemes are designed to ensure that suspects receive legal representation promptly after arrest and during prosecution.
Fagbemi assured the board of ongoing support through policy coordination, inter-agency advocacy, and institutional strengthening. He stressed that access to justice is essential for national security, public trust, and socio-economic equilibrium. The minister noted that the board’s composition aims to reflect diverse stakeholder engagement, gender balance, and sector-wide inclusivity, positioning it to fulfill its mandate effectively while maintaining administrative independence.
The minister further highlighted the board’s statutory responsibility under Section 19 of the council Act to visit correctional facilities, police cells, and detention centers to oversee the conditions of awaiting-trial inmates. He encouraged the board to engage with the ongoing reforms under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and to contribute actively to legislative amendments to ensure Nigeria’s legal frameworks align with contemporary and global standards.
In his acceptance speech, Justice Kawu, representing the board members, expressed their commitment to work diligently with judicial stakeholders to meet the expectations placed upon them.