Getting Free Legal Assistance
Depending on the nature of your situation, needing legal help or legal assistance can be an extremely difficult and emotional period. This is especially more difficult when you do not have the funds to get the legal assistance or legal help that you need. To help we have decided to write an article explaining what options you have when seeking free legal help or assistance in Nigeria.
For individuals who need legal services, they unfortunately very few options. There are very few private lawyers who would be able to provide free legal services. The ones who do it term it as doing ‘pro bono’ work. It is always worth asking a lawyer if they will take on your case and provide services pro bono, however please note that most lawyers will only even consider this sort of work if it is manifestly obvious that you as a client are unable to pay for their legal services.
Apart from lawyers who provide pro bono services, there are some organisations who are set up specifically to provide free legal services for certain groups of people:
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights
Civil Liberties Organization: Tel: +234 1774 66 94 or 85 11 577 or 80 38 19 58 18
Lagos Citizens Mediation Centre
Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE)
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
LEGAL AID COUNCIL OF NIGERIA: info@legalaidcouncil.gov.ng
Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)
Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO)
Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS)
The above are just a few of the organisations which offer some form of free legal services which we have been able to track down. If you know of any more or have any suggestions that we should add, please feel free to reach out to us.
Also, please note that a number of the organisations above are set up solely to help children, and women (especially victims of domestic abuse).
We hope you have found this information helpful. Please note that this information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. No lawyer-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. It is not intended to substitute for the advice of a qualified lawyer.