What is Community Legal Defenders? Community Legal Defender as the name implies is a co-operative society formed with the purpose of addressing the major problem of social injustice in the Nigerian society. It strives to ensure that the protection of the basic rights of the Nigerian citizen is made a priority. The initiative is born out of the desire to ensure that justice is given to the oppresse
d in every facet of life.The society works with the help of committed legal practitioners who readily offer legal services to members of the co-operative society whenever the need arises. The society ensures that legal services are delivered to its members at a much reduced cost, with a view to end the popular belief that only the rich have access to legal assistance. Community Legal Defender as a co-operative society assists its members with the legal problems that they encounter in their day to day lives.Such legal problems include police arrest, torture or intimidation, sexual harassment, infringement of fundamental rights, compensations and disputes among others. As a co-operative society, the legal interests of our members are our main concern. Why Community Legal Defenders? Over time, it has been seen that the creation of a constitution or a set of laws designed to govern the acts of a country does not in itself ensure the protection of the rights or interests of the individuals in that country. For the rights of the individuals in a country, community or society to be safe guarded, the laws governing those rights have to be enforced. Statistics have shown that like most African countries, Nigeria has many laws that are rarely enforced. It is in the enforcement of these laws that the protection of the rights and privileges of the individuals can be achieved. The high rate of incarcerations in Nigeria is alarming. A large number of people have been locked up without any legal assistance. The knowledge that some of these individuals are innocent people who cannot get any legal help because they cannot afford it, is heartbreaking. There have been plethora of reported cases of landlords regularly denying tenants their basic rights; women being victims of sexual harassment at their work place; children being abused by everyone including their parents; the innocent arrested and suffer jail time and the first person to call the police is regarded as the victim of an alleged crime. The rights of individuals are constantly being disrespected. It is appalling that all these have been going on because of an ineffective enforcement mechanism. Public offenders are left unchecked and cases filed in court take a lot of time to conclude. These have caused the hope or belief of the common Nigerians in the government to protect their rights to diminish drastically. The state of the protection and enforcement of the rights of individuals in our country has without our knowing it, made it difficult for citizens to trust in the ability of the government to cater for them. The result is that Nigerians are now hardly patriotic. It was the need to restore the hope of the common man in the protection and safe guarding of his rights that necessitated the birth of the Community Legal Defender. The co-operative society was formed with the sole purpose to become the voice for the oppressed in the country and to defend the rights of the average Nigerian by securing legal assistance at an affordable cost. Benefits
Become an active member of Community Legal Defender now and enjoy the protection and enhancement of your legal interest in the country. The benefits of becoming a member of Community Legal Defender include the following:
Affordable legal assistance:
To the common man, enlisting the service of a competent lawyer in Nigeria is expensive. This is the major reason why there have been a vast number of illegal incarcerations in the country. A large number of Nigerians have watched helplessly while their rights have been infringed. Thousands of people are in jail because they cannot afford legal representation. Upon becoming an active member of Community Legal Defender, you will be able to afford competent legal representation without having to worry about the high cost of retaining a competent lawyer. A comforting sense of protection:
Enjoy great confidence and protection which comes from our unwavering help whenever you have a legal issue. With the help of dedicated lawyers, we ensure that your rights as a Nigerian are not only protected, but enforced when infringed. You will no longer be intimidated easily by anyone, no matter who he/she is in the society. This includes politicians, landlords, business associates, neighbors and even law enforcement agencies. We are here to ensure that your rights as a citizen are kept safe and enforced. Ease of access:
No more do you have to search for competent lawyers to represent you or to prosecute your matters. Community Legal Defender provides a very convenient and efficient way for you to seek legal help with ease. The initiative has been designed to help you enlist the services of experienced lawyers in the area you need help. We work with competent lawyers who can attend to you as soon as is possible, as long as your membership status is active. Information:
Information is an important key. Information ensures knowledge and knowledge is power. The knowledge you have can assist you in your time of need. As a member of Community Legal Defender, you will have access to information that will equip you with adequate knowledge of basic rights, legal principles and government legislations/policies as it affects the general public. Registration:
An initial registration fee of N6,200.00 is required. The fee covers all the registration processes required in your step to become a member of Community Legal Defender.The registration process includes the production of your multipurpose card which will also serve as your membership identification card. Registration into Community Legal Defender is open to every Nigerian citizen who is 21 years of age and above. All citizens under the required age can still be offered legal assistance by Community Legal Defender, provided his/her parent or guardian is an active member of Community Legal Defender. All prospective members of Community Legal Defender are expected to complete the two stages of registration enumerated below:
1. Stage one: Pre-registration
This involves your completion of an interest form. It indicates your intention to become a member of Community Legal Defender. Your completion of this stage empowers you to proceed to the next stage of the registration process. Please note that upon completion of the first stage of your registration, you will be required to get the following documents for the next stage of your registration process:
• A valid means of Identification, (this may either be your National I.D card, Driver’s Licence, National Passport, or Voter’s card).
• Your utility bill (electricity bill, water bill or ESWAMA bill).
• Proof of age, (either your birth certificate or age declaration).
• Evidence of your change of name or your Marriage certificate if applicable.
2. Stage two- Data collection and Payment
This is the last stage of the registration process. It is completed upon the presentation and/or the submission of the required documents and the registration fee to Community Legal Defender. Upon the completion of your registration with Community Legal Defender, you will be notified.
