Author(s): Jemialu ME and Efevwerhan DI

Abstract: All over the world, the need to afford indigent and vulnerable people access to justice is taken with much seriousness. It is the linchpin on which the concept of fair hearing revolves. The poor may be denied justice either in civil or criminal proceedings if he is too poor to pay for legal representation. Added to this is the fact that legal procedures are such that are so technical that the common layman may not be able to comprehend them let alone enforce his rights even when they are breached. To address this, the concept of legal aid is put in place to enable poor and vulnerable people be informed of their rights and where necessary, such rights be enforced on their behalf at little or no cost to them. In this paper, the authors take a look at the role of legal aid in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. After also analysing the problems and challenges of the system in Nigeria, the paper proffers suggestions that may enhance a more efficient delivery of access to criminal justice in Nigeria.

Pages: 21-28 | Views: 1943 | Downloads: 1264

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