The Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to offering legal representation to #EndBadGovernance protesters who have been arrested and are now facing trial without legal counsel.
In an interview with journalists, Abubakar clarified that the council has not yet been approached by individuals, groups, or the courts to represent any of the detained protesters currently undergoing trial.
The protests, which took place between August 1 and 10, were fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria. Thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to voice their frustration, leading to the arrest and detention of many protesters by security forces.
According to the National Human Rights Commission, approximately 1,200 protesters were detained across the country, while Amnesty International Nigeria reported a higher figure of over 2,000 arrests during the 10-day nationwide protest. Amnesty also disclosed that 1,403 of those detained have already been arraigned on charges ranging from treason to terrorism and incitement to mutiny.
While emphasizing the right of all accused individuals to legal representation, Abubakar explained that the Legal Aid Council had not yet been officially informed that trials had commenced. He noted that legal procedures require defendants to have legal counsel, and if they cannot afford one, the court is obligated to assign a lawyer to them.
“We are not aware that the trials have begun. There is a procedure in place where the court ensures that defendants have legal representation. If they cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one for them. If, in such cases, the court deems it necessary, it can request the services of the Legal Aid Council,” Abubakar said. He added that the council would step in to provide defense only when contacted by the court, as it is a constitutional right for accused persons to have access to legal assistance.
He concluded by stating that while the council does not actively seek out defendants who cannot afford representation, it is prepared to step in for those remanded in prison custody if required.
