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Minister Inaugurates Legal Aid Council Board, Expands Justice Access

by admin on | 2026-08-06 13:35:32

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Minister Inaugurates Legal Aid Council Board, Expands Justice Access

By Ahmad Sirajo makama, Abuja

The Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding access to justice by inaugurating the Governing Board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN).

Fagbemi said the new board will drive the administration’s judicial reform agenda, strengthen legal services for poor, vulnerable citizens, and promote equitable social and economic development across the country.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, he described the Legal Aid Council as the moral compass of Nigeria’s justice delivery system, stressing that poverty should never prevent access to justice.

“Access to justice is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for national security, public trust, and socio-economic harmony,” the Attorney General said.

He noted that the Legal Aid Act brings together representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association, law enforcement agencies, organised labour, civil society, women’s organisations and the media.

According to him, this broad representation enables the Council to provide strategic policy direction and improve access to justice nationwide.

The Minister urged the Board to strengthen the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitors Scheme (CDSS) adding that the initiatives would help reduce congestion in correctional facilities, speed up justice delivery and protect the rights of suspects from the earliest stages of criminal proceedings.

“I have no doubt that in a society where economic disparities can hinder the assertion of basic rights, the council will ensure that poverty is never a bar to justice,” he said.

Fagbemi further called on the Board to support reforms under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and encouraged members to promote legislative improvements, expand pro bono legal services through the Nigerian Bar Association, adopt legal technology and deepen collaboration with development partners, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and civil society.

While speaking, the Board Chairman, former Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Sulyman Kawu (Rtd.), pledged to work closely with stakeholders to expand access to justice.

Kawu said the Board will prioritise poor, vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those living in rural communities, where access to legal representation remains limited.

Despite funding challenges, he expressed confidence that the initiative would help decongest correctional centres, protect fundamental rights and ensure that no Nigerian is denied justice because of financial challenges.