DELTA CJ CALLS ON FG TO FUND LEGAL AID COUNCIL

The Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro has advocated adequate funding of Legal Aid Council by the Federal Government to enable it perform its Constitutional responsibility of offering free legal services to indigent ones in the society. Justice Umukoro made the call when he played host to national delegation of Legal Aid Council led by the Director General, Mr. Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar in Asaba. The Chief Judge observed that when welfare of lawyers under the employment of the Council was not adequately provided for as their counterparts in the Federal Ministry of Justice and Judiciary, it could expose them to vulnerable situations where principles and ethics of their practice can be compromised. He therefore called on the Council to liaise with Ministry of Justice and Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provision to enable it introduce special allowances that would motivate them carry out their duties with dignity, emphasising that their role in administration of justice cannot be overemphasized. While acknowledging that Lawyers in the Council need not pay for filing fees while offering probono legal services to indigent ones, Justice Umukoro however, observed with dismay that some counsel use the platform of the Council to charge litigants legal fees, stressing that the classification of poor litigants was ambiguous and controversial, which requires precise definition. The director general, Legal Aid Council Mr. Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar said they were in the office of the Chief Judge to show appreciation for the existing cordial and excellent relationship between them and the numerous assistance being rendered to the council to enable it perform effectively. He appealed to the Chief Judge to continue extending his hand of fellowship and sustain the mutual relationship to enable them do their job in the State and the country in general. Mr. Abubakar who observed that lack of public awareness of their main duty of assisting poor litigants and other factors militated against their job in the face of the new administration of criminal justice system however, stated that the Council has been doing its best to assist indigent litigants. The Director General drew the attention of the Chief Judge to sections 394 and 349 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provided for legal representation to defendants of capital offences during their trials, assuring that the Council would do its best to continue rendering free legal services to indigent ones in the society.