There is no gainsaying that the existence of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Law Clinic (OOU LAW CLINIC) has changed fortunes of several inmates and less privileged citizens who could not afford the cost of a legal practitioner plus other challenges.
The Clinic has within years of its operation, embarked on series of projects to ensure that its missions are accomplished.
This is evident in its advocacy and prison visit that was embarked on recently in line with its continual project themed "Expanding Access to Justice to Pre-trial Detaining in Nigeria." focusing mainly on Ijebu Ode and Sagamu prisons.
The OOULAW CLINIC embarked on this advocacy visit to Abeokuta on Tuesday, 13th March, 2018 and its Prison visit on Wednesday, 14th March 2018. Professor C. O Adekoya, one of the senior lecturers in the faculty of law who led about 32 Clinicians to Abeokuta told Campus Mirror that the major reason for the advocacy visit is to meet the Chief Judge of Ogun state, the Attorney General of the State, Director of Public Prosecution, Coordinator of Legal Aid council of the state, amongst others. In his address at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, he said "We have successfully held our workshop at the faculty and we are here to discuss how to solve the problems of pre trial detaining. We have been to Ijebu Ode and Sagamu Prisons, we saw that the prisons were congested with pre trial detaining. Our coming here is to know what your office is doing and to know possible ways to collaborate with you to solve the issues." While addressing Law Clinicians, Mrs Kadirat Bolanle, the Assistant DPP shifted most of the faults in rendering swift Legal Advice to the Nigerian Police. "It is not DPP's advice that delays most of the cases, sometimes, from inception, the Police sometimes kill cases, they won't sign or add date, they will tamper with exhibits and so on. It is not DPP's advice .
Though, we have our faults too" she said. Similarly, Mrs M. A Lawal, the State coordinator of Legal Aid Council, Ogun State, said that she will do her best to assist OOU LAW CLINIC in accomplishing its missions .
A staff coordinator that led Clinicians to Ijebu Ode, Mrs M.O.J Adeyemi Balogun said "We have made series of recommendations. We are going back to DPP's office to fast track the DPP's Legal Advice. Some have spent five years in prison custody without any judgment, some are even victims of circumstances, we want to ensure that the needful is done in time."
In his remarks, the OOU Law Clinic Students' Coordinator, Odubela Muyiwa described the journey as a starting point. Among the students who was present at the visitation was the acting OOU SUG Chief Judge, Law Students' Society Vice President, General Secretary and several other law students.
By Adeyemi Adebayo
The OOULAW CLINIC embarked on this advocacy visit to Abeokuta on Tuesday, 13th March, 2018 and its Prison visit on Wednesday, 14th March 2018. Professor C. O Adekoya, one of the senior lecturers in the faculty of law who led about 32 Clinicians to Abeokuta told Campus Mirror that the major reason for the advocacy visit is to meet the Chief Judge of Ogun state, the Attorney General of the State, Director of Public Prosecution, Coordinator of Legal Aid council of the state, amongst others. In his address at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, he said "We have successfully held our workshop at the faculty and we are here to discuss how to solve the problems of pre trial detaining. We have been to Ijebu Ode and Sagamu Prisons, we saw that the prisons were congested with pre trial detaining. Our coming here is to know what your office is doing and to know possible ways to collaborate with you to solve the issues." While addressing Law Clinicians, Mrs Kadirat Bolanle, the Assistant DPP shifted most of the faults in rendering swift Legal Advice to the Nigerian Police. "It is not DPP's advice that delays most of the cases, sometimes, from inception, the Police sometimes kill cases, they won't sign or add date, they will tamper with exhibits and so on. It is not DPP's advice .
Though, we have our faults too" she said. Similarly, Mrs M. A Lawal, the State coordinator of Legal Aid Council, Ogun State, said that she will do her best to assist OOU LAW CLINIC in accomplishing its missions .
A staff coordinator that led Clinicians to Ijebu Ode, Mrs M.O.J Adeyemi Balogun said "We have made series of recommendations. We are going back to DPP's office to fast track the DPP's Legal Advice. Some have spent five years in prison custody without any judgment, some are even victims of circumstances, we want to ensure that the needful is done in time."
In his remarks, the OOU Law Clinic Students' Coordinator, Odubela Muyiwa described the journey as a starting point. Among the students who was present at the visitation was the acting OOU SUG Chief Judge, Law Students' Society Vice President, General Secretary and several other law students.
By Adeyemi Adebayo
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