17/04/2026
The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee on the Establishment of Legal Aid Booths within FCT Courts was successfully convened on 16 April 2025 at the Judges’ Lounge, FCT High Court, Maitama. The meeting was chaired by Fr. Bede Okolie and brought together key stakeholders across the justice sector, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Judiciary, and the Restorative Justice Africa Initiative.
The Committee was formally inaugurated and engaged in robust deliberations on the proposed Legal Aid Booths project—an initiative designed to ensure immediate legal representation for indigent defendants at the critical point of remand. The project also seeks to advance restorative justice principles and support offender reintegration within the justice system.
Key resolutions reached at the meeting include the rollout of a pilot phase across three selected court locations, the deployment of 10–20 lawyers (including NYSC members), and the commencement of a comprehensive baseline assessment alongside a court mapping exercise.
Members underscored the importance of sustainability, effective coordination, and strong institutional ownership as essential pillars for the success of the initiative. Implementation is scheduled to commence within five weeks.
