Highlights of The Just Concluded FOI Seminar 2013/2014 Organised By The Absu Law Clinic on the 28th Day of April 2014

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 300 students who are in their third, fourth and final years of study respectively and also Barr. Emeka Okorafor (CLE Staff Clinician) who supervised and gave a detailed speech on FOI. It was indeed an educative workshop.Recommendations Arming everyone with the Act and continual emphasis on the importance of the FOI Act are steps required to be taken in the journey of utilizing the Act for clinical activities. The Seminar was indeed a success, because the  participants went home better informed.

Publication

The Law Clinic FOI seminar which due to some logistics couldn't take place on the 23rd Day of April 2014 at the Absu Faculty of Law complex, has been Rescheduled to Monday the 28th Day of April 2014 same venue. 

Outcome Of The Bail Application For Mr. Ogbonnaya Agwu.

   On the 14th day of April 2014, the Abia State Law Clinic team, observed Barr. Nwagboso in the Okigwe High Court as he moved a motion on notice for bail in respect of our client Mr. Ogbonnaya Agwu, but the prosecution asked for an extension of time to prepare his case.

    However, the Court ruled that the prosecution has 3 months to file an information and bring a proper charge against our client if any, and in default will grant our client bail.

Sunday finally released - ABSU team records another release.

On the 13th day of March 2014, the Staff Clinician Barr. Emeka Okorafor moved a motion for bail on behalf of the Clinic 's client Mr. Sunday Ibekwe, and some of the  Clinicians were there to observe. The bail application was granted by Justice A. U. Kalu on the conditions that N50,000 or a surety in like sum, with 3 years tax clearance and (2) clear passport photographs be provided for by the Clinic . The clinicians succeeded in getting a surety for him and he was released from prison on the 8th day of April 2014

Proceedings at High Court 5, Umuahia - 9th April, 2014

A motion on notice for bail which was filed in the High Court of Umuahia on the 13th day of March 2014 between COP v NDUBUISI RANSOM  was moved today being the 9th day of April 2014, by Barr. Emeka Okorafor a Staff Clinician of the Clinic. The bail application was countered by the State, asking the Court to adjourn the matter. The Court granted this request and adjourned the matter to 5th of May, 2014.

Follow-Up Report On Mr. Uchechukwu K.

On the 7th of April 2014, some of the clinicians of Abia State University law Clinic Uturu, went to High Court of Okigwe to observe Barr. Emeka Okorafor Staff Clinician move a motion on notice for bail for Mr. Uchechukwu K, but the state filed an information countering the affidavit, asking the Court to give them more time. The case was adjourned to 28th day of May 2014 by the presiding judge Justice Ikpeama.

Another release by ABSU Team-Chinedu finally released

The efforts of the ABSU Pre-Trial Detainees Law Clinic paid off again on Tuesday 1 April 2014 when one of its clients, Chinedu was discharged by the Court at Umunneochi. This followed a repeated application for Chinedu's case to be struck out for lack of diligent prosecution after he was dumped at the Prisons. The Clinic was represented by Emeka Okorafor-Staff Clinician and supervisor.

 Ecstatic Chinedu at the Clinic posed with Clinicians