Kano – Providing free legal services to the indigents has been described as one of the social responsibilities of the legal practitioners in the Country.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano State Chapter Mr Ibrahim Mukhtar made the remark on Thursday in Kano during the inauguration of the Kano Board of Governors of the Public Defenders.
According to him, the occasion which was organised by an NGO, Rule of Laws and Empowerment Initiative, was aimed at providing free legal representation to the public who could not afford their services.
Mukhtar maintained that every citizen of Nigeria has a constitutional right to be defended by a council of his choice in a court of law.
“We know that the government cannot provide sufficient lawyers to defend the indigents in the country, that is why this NGO came on board to support the efforts of the government,” he said.
According to him, there are other government agencies collaborating with the NGO including Legal Aid Council of Nigeria in order to ensure that free services is offered to such people.
The NBA Chairman applauded the efforts of the Non-governmental organisation in collaborating with government agencies to serve the general public with legal representation.
Earlier, the Programme Manager, Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, Mrs Barbara Maigari said public defender office is aimed at assisting indigent persons with legal representation.
According to her, the office also assist them in alternative disputes and resolution issues through discussion and dialogue to promote peace and harmony.
Maigari added that the Kano office would commence free legal services in the state for the wellbeing of the people in May.