Mary Akanbi
16th February, 2025
Sokoto, Nigeria – In a remarkable display of legal advocacy and compassion, the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF), Sokoto Branch, has successfully secured the release of 15 inmates as part of the nationwide NBA-YLF Justice Project.
This initiative, spearheaded by the National YLF body, was designed to extend love and support to indigent persons on Valentine’s Day, emphasizing the role of young lawyers in promoting justice and human rights. As part of the project, various YLF branches across Nigeria engaged in pro bono legal services to aid vulnerable detainees.
In Sokoto, the YLF team, led by the YLF Sokoto Branch Chairman and joined by Safinaz Gilima (a member of the YLF Governing Council), alongside other young lawyers, visited the Correctional Service and Remand Home. The team interviewed 20 inmates and facilitated the immediate release of 14 individuals by paying their fines. Additionally, one more inmate was later released, bringing the total to 15.
The team is set to return on Monday to collect production warrants for six other inmates and provide free legal representation in court.
The initiative also highlighted key systemic issues, including excessive imprisonment for minor offenses and the prolonged detention of defendants without trial. The NBA-YLF remains committed to tackling these challenges through sustained legal interventions and advocacy.
This nationwide project reinforces the YLF’s dedication to justice, equality, and social responsibility, ensuring that every individual, regardless of financial status, has access to legal representation and fair treatment under the law.
Stay updated as the NBA-YLF continues its mission to uphold the rights of the underserved across Nigeria.
