Free legal aid launched for children in Nigeria
The Federal Government, Nigerian Bar Association, and UNICEF have announced a new partnership to provide free legal services for children in conflict with the law and other vulnerable children across Nigeria. Lateef Fagbemi was represented at a stakeholders’ meeting where the importance of child-friendly justice was emphasized. Wafaa Saeed of UNICEF highlighted the need to remove obstacles that prevent children from accessing justice. The initiative aims to ensure that no child is denied legal representation or fair treatment.
What we know
- The partnership will expand pro bono legal services for children who are victims, witnesses, or alleged offenders.
- Leticia Ayoola-Daniels stated that access to justice is a fundamental right for every child and reforms must be effective at the point of contact with the justice system.
- Wafaa Saeed emphasized that access to justice is also a child protection and human dignity issue, urging the NBA to mobilize lawyers for pro bono cases.
- The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, called on lawyers and law firms to dedicate resources to child protection cases and to mentor younger lawyers in child-sensitive legal practice.
- The initiative is intended to address barriers such as detention without legal representation, delays in case management, and inadequate support services for children.
