• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Friday, August 29, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Fagbemi, Arase, Egbetokun, Others Push For Increased Access To Justice

by Sunday Isuwa
2 years ago
in Cover Stories, Featured, News
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Top federal government officials and other stakeholders have called for the repositioning of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) for Nigerians to have easy access to justice.

Advertisement

Among them are the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the inspector-general of police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, director-general of Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, and project manager, Criminal Justice Reform, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Phase II) Programme, Dr. Oluwatoyin Badejogbin among others. 

They spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to commemorate the International Human Rights Day where they called for renewed understanding among police officers on how the PDSS supports the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from investigation to court appearance.

The event marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2023, which was organised by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II) of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), the NPF, Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and the Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE).

Fagbemi, who was represented by the director of Solicitor Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, Gladys Odigbaro, said the enforcement of Force Order 20 and other relevant provisions of Administration and Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) are commendable milestones in the concerted efforts to address the crisis of arbitrary, irrational and interminable pretrial (awaiting trial) detentions in the country.

RELATED

Tubotamuno Launches ‘The Elite Wanderer’ To Turn Wealth Into Power, Legacy

Tubotamuno Launches ‘The Elite Wanderer’ To Turn Wealth Into Power, Legacy

1 hour ago
Bauchi To Pay Leave Grant To LG Workers

2027: Why PDP Must Present Southern Christian Candidate — Bauchi Gov

1 hour ago
ADVERTISEMENT

The minister said the scheme also comes with the advantage of preventing undue congestion of inmates in correctional facilities with the consequential benefit of saving the government the resources required to maintain a large population of inmates or detainees.

On his part, Egbetokun, who was represented by AIG Shehu Gwarzo, said the PDDS, as captured by Force Order 20, aims to contribute to the realisation of the ongoing reform programme of his administration.

He said, “Force Order 20 addresses ‘free legal services for arrested and/or detained persons in police formations’ and institutes the PDSS as a country-wide mechanism for its delivery.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It expands the provision of legal services in police stations by ensuring prompt access to duty solicitors for suspects. It implements the constitutional promise of access to counsel in police stations in Nigeria.”

In his keynote address, Arase said the introduction of the PDSS, in response to the imperative outlined in ACJA, was a watershed moment in our commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals in police custody.

He called for a more comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses systemic issues within the country’s criminal justice system.

He said, “Historically, detainees faced prolonged periods in police facilities without access to legal representation, leading to routine violations of their rights. The PDSS, driven by a commitment to justice, has become a mechanism through which lawyers provide free legal services to detainees across Nigeria, ensuring that their rights are not only protected on paper but upheld in practice.

“While the success of the PDSS is evident in specific regions, there is a need for widespread replication and adoption. The lessons learned in Anambra, Edo, FCT, and Lagos should serve as a blueprint for other states, fostering a culture of legal responsibility and collaboration that transcends regional boundaries,” Arase said.

Abubakar (DG of Legal Aid Council of Nigeria) highlighted the benefits of the scheme to include: fostering community policing and strengthening service delivery by the police; increased protection and promotion of the legal and human rights of suspects and detainees; improved accountability and transparency in the Police Force; and access to justice for the poor; vulnerable and marginalized persons; among others. He called for cooperation from the police hierarchy ahead of rolling out of the Scheme nationwide.

Police spokespersons from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were among the participants at the event.

The event marks the conclusion of a series of activities contributing to the global effort to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) 2023, an annual international campaign launched on November 25, aimed at amplifying advocacy against all forms of violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses, particularly sexual violence against women and girls.

 

 

 


Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Nigerians can now earn US Dollars monthly by acquiring domains cheaply and reselling for profits up to $18,000 (nearly ₦30Million). Beneficiaries include professionals, entrepreneurs, civil servants and more. Click here to start.


Tags: Bola Ahmed Tinubu
SendShare10171Tweet6357Share
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Philanthropist Makes Case For Vulnerable Nigerians

Next Post

Kaduna Drone Attack: Senators Donate N109m December Salaries To Victims

Sunday Isuwa

Sunday Isuwa

Sunday Isuwa is an award winning journalist with over 15 years of experience. Currently at LEADERSHIP Media Group, he has published thousands of articles that have helped in shaping Democracy, Good Governance in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. His Twitter handle is @IsuwaSunday 

You May Like

Tubotamuno Launches ‘The Elite Wanderer’ To Turn Wealth Into Power, Legacy
News

Tubotamuno Launches ‘The Elite Wanderer’ To Turn Wealth Into Power, Legacy

2025/08/28
Bauchi To Pay Leave Grant To LG Workers
News

2027: Why PDP Must Present Southern Christian Candidate — Bauchi Gov

2025/08/28
Akure Monarch Shuts Markets, Shops For Amole Festival
News

Akure Monarch Shuts Markets, Shops For Amole Festival

2025/08/28
Federal Gov’t To End Police Escort Misuse By VIPs, Says Hadiza Bala-Usman
News

Federal Gov’t To End Police Escort Misuse By VIPs, Says Hadiza Bala-Usman

2025/08/28
Tax Bills, Electoral Reforms, Anambra Poll May Shape 2025
News

INEC Allays ADC’s Fears Over Voter Registration Figures

2025/08/28
How DSS Prevented Religious Crisis In Oyo
News

Benue, Plateau Killings: DSS Files Criminal Charge Against 9 Suspects

2025/08/28
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Tubotamuno Launches ‘The Elite Wanderer’ To Turn Wealth Into Power, Legacy

2027: Why PDP Must Present Southern Christian Candidate — Bauchi Gov

Akure Monarch Shuts Markets, Shops For Amole Festival

Federal Gov’t To End Police Escort Misuse By VIPs, Says Hadiza Bala-Usman

INEC Allays ADC’s Fears Over Voter Registration Figures

JUST-IN: Besiktas Sack Ole Gunnar Solskjær As Head Coach

Benue, Plateau Killings: DSS Files Criminal Charge Against 9 Suspects

Federal Gov’t Hails Ex-Perm Secs’ Council For Bolstering Governance

Niger Delta Coalition Backs NNPCL Boss, Passes Confidence Vote On Tinubu

Gombe Gov Meets VON DG, Pledges Continued Support, Robust Partnership

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.