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.
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