Legal Aid Council handles 30 criminal cases last year in A/Ibom

Legal Aid Council in Akwa Ibom State says it handled 30 criminal cases in the state last year.

Ogbenyi Ogah, state coordinator, made this known in Uyo, the state capital, during the sensitisation campaign to create awareness on the activities of the council.

Ogah said over 80 criminal cases were pending at the various courts across the state, including the Federal High Court.

According to Ogah, the low number of cases completed in the year ending was attributed to the long strike witnessed in the early part of the year by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.

He said the council over the years had continued to provide free legal service and assistance to the less privileged.

“The council provides free legal representation and assistance to the poor whose cases come within the purview of the second schedule of Act, to wit, murder, armed robbery and others.

“The council’s legal aid, advice and access to justice shall be provided by the council in three broad areas, criminal Defence Service, Advice and Legal Assistance in Civil matters,” he said.

He said the council was facing some challenges of inadequate funds from both Federal and state governments to meet the demand ever increasing indigent clients.

According to him, the council in the state lacks project vehicles to convey legal aid officers to courts and rural areas, and other challenge includes lack of personnel, especially lawyers, to meet the ever-increasing demand for legal aid services.

He appealed to the state government to assist the council with utility vehicles to enable it cover the entire judicial division and render legal services to the less privilege in the society.