Legal Aid Council handles 7,140 cases
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has reported that it handled no fewer than 7,140 cases in 2024 and a total of 6,709 in 2023.
The council noted that 4,120 of the 2023 cases were concluded, marking a significant milestone in its 48-year history of providing free legal services to indigent Nigerians.
A breakdown of the 2023 cases includes 4,123 criminal cases granted, with 2,915 completed, and 2,486 civil cases, with 1,205 completed.
This was contained in LACON’s 2023 annual statutory report, obtained by Sunday PUNCH.
The council emphasised that building on its momentum resulted in a higher number of cases handled in 2024 compared to 2023.
According to the report, 485 cases were resolved through alternative dispute resolution, stating that this method was particularly effective in fostering social harmony by helping parties resolve disputes amicably.
The report also disclosed that the council achieved notable success in defending terrorism suspects, with lawyers representing 350 defendants in locations such as Kainji, Abuja, and Maiduguri.
“In the area of increased successful defence of terrorism cases, the council’s quest to promote human rights and enhance access to justice for all citizens led its lawyers to visit New Bussa in Niger State and Maiduguri in Borno State to interview terrorism suspects.”
“Our lawyers also defended some of the defendants arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting at Dawaki in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the report disclosed.
In July 2024, LACON defended approximately 150 defendants arraigned for terrorism offences before the Federal High Court sitting in Kainji, Niger State, according to the report.
The report also stated that in February 2024, 22 terrorism defendants in Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, were represented.
In December 2023, 28 terrorism suspects in Dawaki, Abuja, were represented, while between March 5 and 8, 2024, at JIC/Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State, 104 defendants were represented.
A total of 46 alleged terrorists were represented between May 10 and 11, 2024, at the same location.
According to the report, the Director-General of LACON, Aliyu Abubakar, stated that the council’s mandate ranged from criminal defence to providing legal aid and access to justice for indigent persons.
Abubakar further noted, “In line with the core mandate of the Legal Aid Council, which entails the promotion of access to justice and human rights protection, Legal Aid Officers handled 6,709 cases in 2023 and concluded 4,120 cases.
“These included walk-in clients or their relatives, referrals from magistrates and high courts, and referrals from other justice stakeholders such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
As part of its support for road accident victims through its One Stop Shop for Victims of Motor Accidents, the council recovered over ₦9.7m in third-party insurance claims for accident victims.
In its pro bono expansion, a digitised registration system facilitated a surge in pro bono lawyers, with 251 lawyers volunteering their services in 2024.
In its child justice initiatives, in partnership with UNICEF, the council resolved cases involving 44 children and young adults detained in custodial centres.
For its community engagements, the council expanded grassroots sensitisation initiatives, raising awareness about its free legal services.
Meanwhile, the report underscored the persistent issue of inadequate funding, which hampers the council’s operations and staff welfare. However, the council expressed optimism, citing assurances from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), regarding increased budgetary allocations in 2025.
