It
is common saying that knowledge is power. In this light, to give meaning to the
words of the Nigerian constitution, to wit, “sovereignty belongs to the people
of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its
powers and authority”, it is imperative that the Nigerian people be empowered
with knowledge. This knowledge involves being aware of the extent to which the
government and its agencies are using such powers vested on them by the people. If popular sovereignty were to be assured, then, free
access to information should be a right of the people.
Erstwhile,
the trend in Nigeria has deny access to
information as a right of the people. In fact, in most penal legislations in
Nigeria, divulging some classes of information has been criminalized. To this
end, borne by the desire to bring the Nigerian society in touch with
contemporary reality, the National legislature passed into law the Freedom
of Information (FOI) Act, 2011. This Act proves to be the sabre of
true democracy possessed especially by the true knights of democracy — the
people.
Clinical
legal education aims to help students hone their knowledge and skills in all areas, including the following: Access to Justice, Street Law Program,
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Prison Service, Public Interest Lawyering, and
Interview and Counselling. The issue is whether or not the FOI Act is relevant
to clinical legal education. This workshop organised by Law Clinicians of the Abia State University (ABSU) Law Clinic proves the
relevance of the Act. The participants
comprised of about 200 students who are in their fourth and final years of
study respectively.
Watch out for a detailed report!
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