NAN-H-82
Aid
Akure, Aug.16, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Wednesday, urged residents to take advantage of the free services of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
Akeredolu gave the advice during a courtesy visit to him by members of the Ondo State Chapter of the council, in Akure.
He said a lot of people were suffering because they did not have the means to engage the services of a lawyer.
“We should have the offices in local government areas, where it will be easily accessible to the people.
“The offices can be a reference point manned by a lawyer who is a corps member. He or she will be given some orientation for immediate advice and documentation, which will be sent to the headquarters if it deserves further attention.
“It is important because our people cannot always come to the headquarters, yet they need legal aid everyday,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Kubiat Ikpidungise, State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council, said the Council is an independent body, empowered by law and charged with the responsibility of providing free legal advice and representation to indigent Nigerians.
“We also provide legal aid to those whose income do not exceed the minimum wage and as such cannot afford the services of private legal practitioners,” she said.
The coordinator appealed to the state government for the provision of a functional vehicle to access parts of the state and requested assistance to renovate the council’s two offices in Akure and Owo.
“As a strong believer in the cause of the masses, it is our hope that you will lend the support of your highly esteemed office to the operations of Legal Aid Scheme in Ondo State,” she said. (NAN)
AYO/IFY/SOA
Edited by Ify Omowole/Oluwole Sogunle