The
project tagged ‘Expanding Access to Justice for Pre-Trial Detainee across
Nigeria’ has added invaluable records to my experience viz-a-viz my involvement
and engagement as a participant of the said project. The classificatory
schemata of the project are such that are easily executed and participants get hold of the details with no stress
whatsoever.
There were designed various
workshops aimed at getting participants acquainted with the gist of the
project. My experience in each of these workshops has been worthwhile giving
the magnitude of knowledge gathered and garnered so far.
The first workshop bothered on the
introductory aspect of the program, outlining of the 12- months activities to
be carried out in fulfillment of the program. A reflection into the first
workshop is more described as an eye-opener to me being an interactive session,
I was able to interact well and lay hold of the subject of the discourse.
The second workshop was designed in
form of learning and observations. We were made to understand the concept of
bail both in theory and practice. Along this workshop was our visitation to the
acting Attorney-General of Kwara State, who implored us to visit the juvenile
prison and see if we could be of help.
I have learnt many things being a
participant of this project, among which are, proper filing and management,
client interview, why prisons are congested, team work and many more.
My involvement in all these
exercises has been educative and interactive and would always want to be part
of it anytime there is opportunity.
Long before now, I always wonder why
some cases take one (1) to three (3) years awaiting DPP’s advice. Now, I know.
Though, some of those cases awaiting trial can be fast tracked, if the
stakeholders involved are up and doing. Also, if the court can be given the
power to continue trial once a case awaiting DPP’s advice last more than three
(3) months.
Also, I was privileged to interview
one inmate named Felix Ishaya in Mandalla Medium Prison, Ilorin, who was
mentally challenged. This I noticed in the course of the interview which was
also corroborated by a prison officer who brought him to me. He has been in the
prison for more than six months without been given medical treatment which
could make his health deteriorate. On this, I feel the medical personnel
attached to the prison should be given discretionary power to attend to inmate
whom they see to have health challenges without court order. This is for the
betterment and safety of inmates and prison officers.
Above all, this project has exposed
me to practical aspect of legal practice which has aid my understanding of law
in practice.
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