Nigeria Attorney General Prince Lateef Fagbemi launches legal aid and police‑human‑rights reforms

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi inaugurated the board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, urging the council to expand free legal services so that all Nigerians can access justice regardless of income. He highlighted that over 70 % of inmates are unable to pay fines or afford counsel and called for the deployment of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme and Court Duty Solicitors Scheme, partnerships with development agencies, pro‑bono networks, and legal technology to ease detention‑center congestion and clear court dockets.

On the same day in Abuja, Fagbemi also inaugurated the National Human Rights Commission–Nigeria Police Force Liaison Framework, describing it as a “landmark initiative” to strengthen cooperation, accountability and respect for human rights within the criminal‑justice system. The framework establishes focal officers at national and operational levels to expedite complaint resolution, improve oversight of detention facilities and coordinate responses to systemic rights challenges, complementing broader justice‑sector reforms such as judicial infrastructure upgrades, bench appointments and better welfare for judicial officers.