In Nigeria, accessing justice is an expensive endeavor, bail is 'free' yet thousands remained locked up for months sometimes years because of lack of access to legal representation. Building on success our Abuja based eCoveSpaces, this project will support the setup of a 'LawyersHub' in Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria; a co-working community of lawyers with litigation support, pro bono clearing, event centre, related services bringing justice closer to low-income Nigerians, small businesses and nonprofits
In Nigeria, access to justice remains one of the leading problems of everyday people, with increase police brutality, harassment and over-capacity judicial systems. It is not uncommon to see overcrowded prisons with most detainees spending more time in detention awaiting trials for more time than the time they will spend if convicted. Legal services are expensive and out of reach for many low-income citizens and small businesses.
This project will expand the availability of low cost and free legal services for everyday Nigerians and small business and community organizations. It will resource and connect attorneys with pro bono opportunities in exchange of low-cost office space for their regular services increasing the pool of available affordable legal resources for low-income citizens. It will also provide in house pro bono services for full-time attorneys who will work with low-income clients to seek justice.
The Lagos Impact Commons is the start of a nationwide effort to increase access to justice for low-income Nigeria who continues to suffer an array of injustice because of the socio-economic circumstances. We will expand to the 36 states of Nigeria in the near future, ensuring justice is no longer out of reach for many who deserve them. We are committed to the SDG16.
