Law Clinicians Get Boost to Drive Justice Reforms in Adamawa State

By Dan Sani

The Adamawa State Coordinator of the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), Barrister Fatima Bello Raji, stated that the PPDC has trained 30 law clinicians and law coordinators on Justice Sector Reforms in the state.

Raji made the disclosure to journalists shortly after the capacity-building and training workshop held at City Green Hotel in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

While welcoming participants in her opening remarks, she revealed that the capacity workshop was organized to empower law coordinators and clinicians on Justice Sector reforms.

The capacity workshop was organized to empower law coordinators and clinicians on Justice Sector reforms

She further revealed that the training was supported by the U.S. Department of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and aims to equip 30 law clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive meaningful reforms in the justice sector.

Raji emphasized the vital role law clinicians play in shaping the future of the justice system, particularly in addressing the challenges facing the sector.

“The justice sector in Nigeria is at a crossroads, facing challenges that demand innovative solutions and collective action.The training program was designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to drive meaningful reforms and improve access to justice for all.”

The topics explored during the training include the role of law clinics in facilitating access to justice for indigent detainees, ethics of pro bono legal practice in Nigeria, and project reporting.

Participants also learned about lawyering and advocacy skills, strategies for effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement, and addressing systemic barriers to access to justice.

“Through interactive sessions, expert presentations, and collaborative exercises, participants explored the intricacies of justice sector reforms and identify practical solutions to address pressing issues.”

Raji urged participants to approach the training with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to collaboration to create a more just, equitable, and accessible justice system for all.

One of the participants at the workshop, Mr. David Giwa, a student of the Nigeria Law School in Yola, said the training has equipped them with skills to access justice and fast-track justice, especially for those awaiting trials who were denied access to justice for many years and are languishing in the Nigeria Correctional Centers. He said the reforms will also aid the decongestion of correctional centers and expose corrupt practices in the judicial sector, among many other advantages.

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