Danladi Backs NYSC Legal Aid Initiative to Decongest Nasarawa Correctional Centres
Solicitor-General Raises Tenure Concerns as Corps Members Seek Strategic Partnership
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
The Nasarawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, has pledged the Ministry’s support for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Legal Aid Community Development Service (CDS) group in their drive to decongest correctional centres and expand access to justice in the state.
Receiving the corps members at the Justice House in Lafia, Danladi commended their initiative, describing it as a timely intervention aligned with ongoing efforts by the state government to strengthen justice delivery.
He disclosed that discussions were already underway within the Ministry on adopting pro bono measures to address congestion in correctional facilities, noting that the visit by the Legal Aid CDS group was a “fortunate coincidence.”
“You are not only serving the nation but serving humanity.
Justice remains the hope of the common man,” the Attorney General stated, assuring the corps members of a deeper and more symbiotic partnership.
Danladi urged the group to formally document their requests to enable structured collaboration and possible government support. He also revealed that the state government had recently provided a Hilux van to the Correctional Service to ease inmate transportation and improve court attendance.
Solicitor-General Seeks Sustainability Plan
Earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Barr. Mohammed Adi, lauded the corps members for taking up cases involving indigent inmates without legal representation.
He, however, raised concerns about continuity, noting that NYSC members serve for only 12 to 13 months. According to him, cases handled by the corps members may suffer setbacks if there is no clear succession plan before the end of their service year.
While appreciating their patriotic effort, he encouraged the group to establish a framework that would ensure pending cases are not abandoned midway.
NYSC Legal Aid CDS Seeks Collaboration
Leader of the delegation and CDS President, Alechenu Dominic, explained that the group had recently visited correctional centres where they identified several awaiting-trial inmates without legal representation.
He disclosed that the team had resolved to take up some of the cases free of charge in collaboration with the Legal Aid Council.
The initiative, according to him,
includes:
Review of minor and awaiting-trial cases
Fast-tracking summary offences
Police station and correctional centre outreach
Sensitization programmes in schools, markets and health centres
Provision of structural legal support to reduce pressure on state counsel.
The corps members appealed for strategic guidance, institutional backing, and logistical support from the Ministry to overcome operational challenges.
The visit marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between young legal practitioners and the Nasarawa State Government in promoting access to justice and reducing congestion in correctional facilities.
