LAGOS/Nigeria: The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) in its mission to provide essential legal services.
Fagbemi made the announcement during an interview with journalists at the 2024 LACON Management Retreat, which took place on Tuesday in Lagos. The retreat aimed to assess and enhance the council’s operations and strategic goals.
Highlighting the administration’s efforts to improve LACON’s operations, Fagbemi stated, “My own expectation is that at the end of this retreat, it will impact positively on the operation of the Legal Aid Council and the vision of the establishment of the council.”
The Legal Aid Council, established to assist the less privileged, particularly those earning below the minimum wage, has undergone significant improvements under the current administration. Fagbemi emphasized the positive changes, saying, “You will recall that since the coming onboard of this administration, LACON has not had it so good. The condition of service has been looked into, and there are other critical thematic areas that the government is addressing to improve the council’s operations.”
Fagbemi also expressed appreciation for the Lagos State Police Command’s involvement in the police solicitors’ duty. He praised Lagos State for being the first to adopt this scheme and encouraged other states to follow suit.
Looking forward, Fagbemi announced plans for expanding the council’s staff and ensuring continuous professional development. He also addressed the potential nationwide protests, advising against them due to concerns over potential exploitation by miscreants.
“The challenges facing the country have been there for ages, and the government is still young,” Fagbemi said. “President Tinubu is focused on rebuilding the country and needs time to achieve this.”
Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, Director-General of LACON, highlighted that the retreat was designed for top management staff to align the council’s operations with the administration’s eight-point agenda, particularly concerning the rule of law.
Abubakar also addressed the planned protests, urging that they remain peaceful, and reiterated LACON’s commitment to protecting the poor and indigent individuals facing legal issues.
Abubakar further expressed the council’s ongoing ambition to expand its reach into all local government areas, marking the retreat as a crucial step towards advancing LACON’s mission and enhancing accessibility to legal aid for Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
