Kano gets public defenders’ office

The United State of America Embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with Partners West Africa Nigeria has commissioned Public Defenders’ Office in Kano with a view to promoting fairness and transparency in the administration of justice. Speaking at the official commissioning of the office, Mr. Stuart Symington, the US Ambassador to Nigeria said the office would help the less privileged to […]

The United State of America Embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with Partners West Africa Nigeria has commissioned Public Defenders’ Office in Kano with a view to promoting fairness and transparency in the administration of justice.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the office, Mr. Stuart Symington, the US Ambassador to Nigeria said the office would help the less privileged to have access to justice.

Symington said US was concern about the Nigerian justice sector and willing to help Nigeria to improve its judicial system.

“The US government understands the importance of justice and that is why it always contribute to the development of judicial system in the developing countries so that all and sundry can have access to justice,” he said.

He added that good governance means good relationship between the leaders and followers, saying US was funding the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative Programme also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria in order to promote justice in the developing countries.

He said: “We will continue to monitor the programme to ensure its effective implementation.”

In her remarks, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye (rtd), a board member of the programme, said the project focused on contributing sustainable improvements to criminal justice system by increasing the availability of legal representation for the less privileged.

Justice Adekeye said: “The project will corroborate with prosecutorial departments in Kano, police and prison as well as women and disability rights organization and other related organizations. The project will organize town hall quarterly meetings with relevant stakeholders. It also engages lawyers to encourage pro-bon practice in Kano.”

Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, assured that the state government would    continue to support the project.

Alhaji said government would continue to put in its best to improve the services being rendered in the sector.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Haruna N. Muhammad Falali, said Kano state government would provide at least six legal practitioners including a director to man the newly established Public Defenders’ Office.