There is a Yoruba adage which says “you cannot say beyond what you
see". It is not for me if not impossible in penning down my reflections
from this project to sail out of its ocean. Even, the infeasibility of sailing
through the length and width of the ocean is not in doubt. Nevertheless, I
shall articulate the reflections which I had from this project as well as
exposures which have lightened my knowledge on some certain things related to
this project. The reflections came from different areas of the project. There
are those I had from the workshop, during the advocacy visits, at the prisons
and at the courts.
At the workshop
Before the commencement of this project, I was always of the belief
that what we are being thought within the walls of our classes is enough to
make us distinguished law students. This belief of mine changed when I attended
the first workshop held for the purpose of this project. I got to know that it
is only the theoretical aspect of law that is being thought in class. This is
because we were treating the practical aspect of the law at the workshop. Then
I realized that having practical knowledge of law is what can distinguish a law
student from other law students. From the workshop, I was able to learn some
preliminary skills like interview and counselling of pre-trial detainee, bail
applications, etc.
During the
advocacy visits
Aside court, I didn't know there are other stakeholders in the
administration of criminal justice system not to talk of visiting them. Even
the court, I've only visited once a magistrate court. Being a participant in
this project however, I got to know other stakeholders in the administration of
criminal justice system. They include, the Nigeria Police, the Prison Service,
the Department of public prosecution, the Legal aid council, all in all the
Ministry of Justice. I didn't know them alone I visited some of them.
The disharmonious relationship between these stakeholders was
another thing that caught my attention during the visits. This I was able to
know with the discussions that we had with the managers of these offices. Apart
from discussions, it shows clearly also from the status of some cases. It
saddened me when I got to know that some people remained in detention simply
because some procedural arrangements regarding their cases have not been made.
At the prison
Life at Prison in foreign movies is always interesting. That's what
I've always contemplated prisons to be. Actually,
the reverse is the case in the prisons in Nigeria. This project took me to two
different prisons. The environments of the two prisons in term of dwelling
conduciveness were in different colours. The environment of the first Prison
was not conducive for living at all. While that of the second prison was a
little bit sane.
At the court
As aforesaid, I only visited once a magistrate court before this
project. The magistrate court that I visited was a single room one. As such, I
didn't know there can be many rooms within a magistrate court. I had the same
belief with high courts and other courts. This project however thrown me into
the limelight that there can be many rooms in a court. Another thing that I am
also aware of now as far as court is concerned is the decorum in court rooms
while proceeding is on. I knew before this project that a person can be cited
for contempt of court by the judge, but I've never seen the practical decorum
of court.
Conclusively, the foregoing is a few of many reflections which I had from this project. For
this I congratulate myself for being among the participants of this project.
Tunji-Lawal Lawal Bolaji
Unilorin Legal Aid Clinic
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