ABSU LAW CLINIC AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

*ABSU LAW CLINIC AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM*
The child is young and weak and need special protection. Here, at Absu LawClinic we take the cases of juveniles very seriously. There has been a very serious neglect of the rights of the child in the Judiciary in Nigeria. However, we will tell you of what we've encountered here in Abia State.

The criminal justice system is not fit to meet the special needs of a child and that is what led to the emergence of the Juvenile justice system. Nevertheless, we wonder, if in Nigeria, the system only exists in #print within the limited pages of textbooks.

The rule of confidentiality binds us and courtesy demands that we don't release sensitive information regarding our clients so as not to stir stigma. Notwithstanding, we will tell you his story for it is worth knowing.

We will like you to meet #Undefended. Undefended wasn't born with a silver spoon more less a wooden one. Little wonder he had to join in breadwinning at a really young age alongside his elder brother. At the age of eleven, he had skilfully learnt how to operate a clipper and enrolled as an apprentice in a Barbing Salon. He was fending for himself. However, before Fate could order his steps, the criminal justice system in the state roughened the path. He had just finished cutting the hair of the third customer for the day before he was visited by the Nigerian Police. According to him they inquired into identity of his various customers that day and commented that one of the customers he had worked on some five hours back was an armed robber and part of a notorious gang. The police demanded that undefended should provide them information regarding the location of the suspect claiming that somehow he must be close with him. The young boy who was at the time preparing for his 12th birthday was unable to provide such information. He was undefended, arrested and detained.

The police thereafter deliberately charged him with the offences for which the suspect was being sought. As is their usual practice, the matter was instituted in a magistrate court which lack jurisdiction to handle such matters. At this stage one would naturally think the Juvenile justice system would emerge from dormancy and regulate the situation.
That never happened.

Undefended was remanded in prison custody to share bed with Adult criminals. This was in 2006.

Undefended reached "voting" age (18) in prison. He also reached the common law age of adulthood (21) as a pre-trial detainee. It is important to note here that the police never took any further move to prosecute the matter through out the entire 11-year period within which Undefended remained incarcerated, in wait of a trial that was never going to happen.

Three days ago, on the 26th of January, 2017,Absu Law Clinic perfected the bail bond of Undefended. He is now to be known as #Defended as we pledge to fight his legal battles for him henceforth.

Notwithstanding, we are perturbed in our spirits. Who is to blame?
*The Juvenile justice system which operates in "ghost mode"?,
*or The Ministry of Justice?,
*or The Nigerian Police Force?,
*or The Prison warders who allowed Undefended to grow without hope.?

Yet, our focus isn't towards who it is to blame.... It remains towards "what more we can do to mitigate this hardship". We are only a group of passionate law students operating within Paralegal limitations. We are Absu Law Clinic.

The clinic is open for all.
At the clinic, we render free legal services to those who cannot afford legal representation. We render services like:
*Legal consultation
*Counseling
*Legal advice
*Legal assistance.

Visit Absu Law Clinic for free at Faculty of Law complex, Absu extension in UMUAHIA. (Along umudike road just after government college).
Official hours feature Mondays to Fridays within 8am to 4pm.
Remember, our services are totally free. What have you got to lose.

Absu LawClinic Releases Maiden

We took a pledge, we made a promise.
To fulfill a responsibility and to uphold a legacy.
Today, we record our first great stride.
Our word is our bond.
Absu Law Clinic breaks a record.
It hasn't been quite long since the new leadership in the clinic took up the mantle. Despite the challenges of several unexpected developments, we still beat injustice to the ribbon.
In barely one week of active prison work and just a day after the High Court of umuahia resumed, we have perfected the bail bond of one of our clients, an inmate in umuahia prisons. As we speak, the middle-aged woman is beside her husband, happily catching up on developments which she missed in time past.
This is our first release this session, and as mothers would put it, she opened our womb. Due to client confidentiality rule, we won't be releasing sensitive details about her but we will tell you her story.
We call her "#Maiden.
In February, 2011, maiden had a quarrel with her neighbor which escalated into a physical combat. Her neighbor did not get the best of the fight and promised to deal with her. A week later, maiden was visited by Policemen and prevented from cooking the evening meal for her family as she normally did. That was the last she saw of home till today. Maiden was arrested and immediately charged with stealing. From our interview with her, maiden really can't recall the thing she was accused of stealing.
Without legal representation and/or money to settle with the police, maiden was thus remanded in prison custody in the same week in February, 2011.
The police neither went further with the case nor was she arraigned again before any other court until Absu Law Clinic met her. Next month, February 2017, would have made her stay in prison a total of 6 years.
Legally, the crime of stealing as punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap.39, LFN 2004, warrants an imprisonment sentence not exceeding 7 years in general circumstances.
However, this provision only applies to Convicts but Maiden is not and had never been a convict yet she had concluded about 90% of a jail sentence that was never declared against her.
It is true then, that which was said by Stanley Ibe - "Don't get arrested in Nigeria".
We are glad to have lent a hand to "Maiden" to mitigate the injustice that was being done to her. Maiden graciously thanks Absu Law Clinic and we appreciate her too.
Special recognition goes to Chinonyerem Echibuogu,
Nwankwo Alex Chisom,
Nwariaku prince, and
Ukwuoma Christopher who specially worked on the case after the clinic found keen interest in it.

The clinic is open for all.
At the clinic, we render free legal services to those who cannot afford legal representation. We render services like:
*Legal consultation
*Counseling
*Legal advice
*Legal assistance.

Visit Absu Law Clinic for free at Faculty of Law complex, Absu extension in UMUAHIA. (Along umudike road just after government college).
Official hours feature Mondays to Fridays within 8am to 4pm.
Remember, our services are totally free. What have you got to lose.

On the 23rd of November 2016 the mantle of leadership of the Absu LawClinic was handed over to the present 500Level Lawclinicians. Our Staff Legal Advicer who is also one of the Staff clinic Co-ordinatator in the person of Barr.Emeka Okorafor conducted an election for the post of the clinic head and assistant which is the first of its kind in Absu LawClinic. Echibuogu Chinoye Evans emerged as the New Clinic Head of the 2016/2017 academic year. She was elected due to her hard work and relentless selfless service to the clinic and the public at large. Nwankwo Alex Chisom in the same vain was elected to assist the new clinic head because of his hard work to insure that the clinic moves forward. Forthwith various heads of depertments where appointed by clinic head and her assistant.
Umuahia prisons - Nwariaku prince
Okigwe prisons - ugonwanyi ahaiwe
Aba prisons - Achor Christopher
Street law - Obodoechi Brenda
File management - Ananaba Grace
Correspondence - Onunwor Chituru
ICT - Obioma Chikwendu
Treasurer - Odeh Regina
Secretary - Adindu Karen.
This appointment was done based on hard work and selfless service to the clinic work.
That same day the examination/induction of new members of clinic (Junior Clinicians) was performed. Being a Lawclinician entails strict rigorous process to be able to get the right persons for the job. The 400Level Law Students where put to a very strict test/interview. Only 30 of them where able to cross the thick tough hurdle but that doesn't mean that those that did not make it are not welcomed the most important aspect of the clinic is passion to serve humanity for free.

The Absu LawClinic says a very big congratulations to our new clinic Head Echibuogu Chinoye Evans and her able Assistant Nwankwo Alex Chisom and all the verious Heads of departments and the newly selected junior Clinicians.
We are also saying a very big thank you to our amiable Dean Faculty of Law Abia State University Pof.Sam Erugo, to our staff Legal Advicer Barr.Emeka Okorafor and also our Clinic Co-ordinatator Barr.Ewerem. Most especially we thank God almighty for the Grace to work towards the service of humanity.

On the 23rd of November 2016 the Absu Absu LawClinic held its first seminar after the relocation of Abia State University Faculty of Law to its permanent site located at P.M.B 7010 Ikot-ekpene Road Umudike, Umuahia. still battling with the relocation of its faculty organised a seminar on: FEMALE GENITAL  MUTILATION.
A resource person who is well grounded in this filed was invited to come and enlightening us about what FGM is all about. he is no other person than MR RAYMOND UKWA.
RAYMOND UKWA is well trained and grounded in what he does he has attended so many workshops and seminars on FGM. He is currently the chief consultant for TECH GLOBAL PET, SOCIAL CHANGE ADVOCATE FOR FGM UNICEF NIGERIA, AMBASSADOR AT THE GIRL GENERATION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHEIF STRATEGY CONSULTANT AT DEPEC GLOBAL RESOURCES, GIRL GENERATION BRAND AMBASSADOR, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS NIGERIAN AT INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL.
In his speech gave us a clear definition of "FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION". FGM is any partial removal or total removal of the external female genital or any other injury of the female genital organs for non medical reasons (WHO 1997).
In his speech he explained the four different types of FGM.
-TYPE 1:CLITORIDECTOMY: is the partial or total removal of the clitoris, in very rear cases only the prepuce (the fold of skin  surrounding the clitoris).
-TYPE 2: EXCISION: is the partial/removal of the Clitoris and the Labia minora with or without excision of the labia majora (the labia are the lips that surround the vagina).
-TYPE 3: INFIBULATION: This is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal if formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer labia with or without removal of clitoris.
-TYPE 4: ALL OTHER HARMFUL PROCEDURES FOR NON MEDICAL REASONS.
-FGM is carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15 and occasionally on adult women. In Africa, over 3million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM  annually, more than 125million girls and women alive today have been cut in the 29countries in Africa and Middle East where FGM is concentrated.
THE SITUATION OF FGM IN NIGERIA:
-Prevalence of girls and woman aged 15-49years who have undergone FGM in Nigeria is 27%.
-Nigeria has the 3rd highest absolute number of girls who have undergone FGM worldwide (after Egypt and Ethiopia).
-19.9million Nigerian women have undergone FGM approximately 16% of the 125million FGM survivors worldwide are Nigerians most prevalent among yoruba women (55%), followed by igbo women (45%).
THE QUESTION IS WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS?
-To ensure that a woman remains a virgin until marriage
-Most communities believe that if external female genitals are cut off ( the clitoris or labia or both) are unclean.
-It is a right of passage in some counties FGM is the part of the ritual that a lady undergoes to be considered a woman.
-In some countries a girl or a woman is cut in other to be suitable for marriage.
-It is believed that when a woman is mutilated it increases sexual pleasure for the me (this is more prevalent in EGYPT).
HOW DOES FGM AFFECT GIRLS OR WOMANS HEALTH IN THE LONG TERM:
-INFECTION (SUCH AS GENITAL ABSCESS).
-DEPRATION & ANXIETY.
-PAINFUL AND PROLONGED MENSTRUAL PERIODS.
-URINARY PROBLEMS.
-VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA (VVF).
This can happen when the urethra or rectum is damaged during FGM. Fistula causes some many problems including odours and can cause girls and women to become SOCIAL OUTCASTS.
IS FGM AGAINST THE THE LAW?
The Federal law outlawing the practice of FGM in Nigeria.
THE VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS (PROHIBITION) ACT (VAPP),2015.
Only 8 States in Nigeria have adopted this Law in there local laws.
ABSU LAWCLINIC JOINS THE WORLD AT LARGE FOR CAMPAIGN AND PROTEST AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

China's case update

Update on Chima,'s case,

On the 6th day of July, 2016. Our Student Clinicians left for the scheduled visit to the Nigerian Prisons Umuahia with Chima's relatives, unfortunately, only one of them agreed to turn up: one of his step brothers, so we went in, upon sighting his step brother, Chima was all smiles, but the brother failed to recognise the little boy at first. Until we told him he was Chima.
This was quite shocking but we later came to understand that no one enters Nigerian Prisons and comes out anything close to how he went there. This was the story of the little boy.
Amidst several intercession by the Prison Warders and other concerned prisoners who pleaded with Chima's step brother to invest in the little boy's industry rather than abandon him, one of the prisoners said  "chairman, make i tell u something, for here, na me dey take care of Chima, Chima na d only confirm barber wey we get for here, em dey make shoe, work electronics, d boy strong well well, the only reason why the boy still dey here na say me never comot, if i comot frm ds place i dey come cari ds boy go" (sic).
Although this was exactly not how we want Chima's story to end, going home with another prisoner, but it helped put home our point to the brother on why he needs to see the change and potential in the young lad, and perfect his bail bond rather than abandon him and term him a government property.
He finally agreed to act as surety, on the condition that Chima stays somewhere else  for 2 to 3 months of his release from detention so they can monitor his change sequence and that he can equally try to convince other family members on allowing the little boy back home.

We promised to come up with something and assured him of our interest in Chima's wellbeing. He asked when next we would visit the prison again, we promised to get back to him.

We are still working on the little boys profile, we see a lot of possibilities for this young lad, going forward, and we, at Absulawclinic, wish to be part of his process.

It's our duty to the Community.

AbsuLawClinic

Update on China's case.

On the 29th of June 2016, the AbsuLawClinic team went to Umuekwule in Afugiri Umuahia, to visit the relative of one of our pre trial detainee clients, a 15 years old boy, who has been remanded in Umuahia Prisons, for almost 2years, he has since been granted bail during the jail delivery exercise that took place on the 4th of May 2016.
The reason for our visit was to convince one of his relatives to be his surety.

Our Client, Chima, a 15years old orphan, with no immediate siblings except a step mum, step grandmother, and step brothers. Who see Chima as  an "Abandoned government property".
They insist that Chima is a deviant and should remain in prison custody, they are not willing to sign anything on his behalf, infact he is an abandoned property (sic).
In Chima, however, we see a juvenile delinquent with great potentials and an amazing wealth of talent. The Prison warders spoke so fondly of the little boy, they told us he could do a lot of amazing things including the ability to repair phones, make slippers, and a host of other skills,  that we grew passionate and very interested about his course.
Unfortunately, after much persuasion on our part, the relatives blatantly refused to see what we see and insisted he should remain in prison custody even after we explained that he hasn't been charged to the High Court nor at worst convicted, he is still awaiting trial for the offence of conspiracy to commit armed robbery
We succeeded nevertheless, to convince them to agree to atleast come and see the little boy in prison for the very first time since be was remanded. This agreed visit is scheduled to be done together with our student clinicians on the 6th of July, 2016, at the Umuahia Prisons, where our client is been remanded.

We do not plan to stop here, we are presently working on a profile on Chima's case to as much as we can use his story as a test case scenario to draw attention to similar cases deserving attention in Umuahia Prisons in particular and Nigerian Prisons in general.
In this regard we plan to partner with some notable N.G.O's,  Child Protection Networks and ultimately, get the attention and intervention of our parent body Nulai Nigeria,

Our Stand- Chima has no business being in prison custody as a juvenile.

Chima is an orphan left to die and ravish in prison by the relatives due to they say he is a "deviant"

Assuming without conceding their position is correct, our client remaining in prison can never be a solution. Chima needs a real guardian to help mentor and channel his amazing skills positively.

So many great men today in our society passed through this deviant stage, they were never given up on by their parents, sadly Chima has none, we the society must stand up for him.

Its our duty to the community.

AbsuLawClinic

Clinic pays a visit to the DPP

.Re. The Visit to the DPP.
The AbsuLawclinic team on the 24th June 2016 paid an advocacy visit to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice, Umuahia, Abia State.
  The essence of this visit was to formally make a report of some cases of our clients at the LawClinic with missing case files at the record department of the prisons.
The DPP Miss Onukwube, promised her coperation in the search for the missing case files. She also lamented on the lack of will by the police to forward cases to her office for proper advice, as this has made her record keeping very herrculean. She  however requested that we go back to the prisons and enquire about the name of the prosecutor handling the case, and the court that issued the remand order, as that would make her job easier.
We promised to do this in due time.

As we aim to foster the release of this persons from detention as soon as practicable. These are some of the challenges we, as supplemetary legal aid workers face in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria:

Attached is a copy of the stamped letter we wrote to her office  for record purposes.

Its our duty to the community.

AbsuLawClinic

Update on umuahia prisons visit

On the 17th day of May 2016, a team of Absu junior LawClinicians went to Umuahia Prisons and the High Court Complex Umuahia, this was in a bid to verify the stories of some of our clients from the record  and welfare department of the prisons, and also to get the requisite charge numbers and the  court the inmates were charged. The Junior Clinicians then went with these information to these Courts to write an application for the release of the CTC of charge sheet and record of proceedings with which we would use to process their bail application.
    At the prisons, they also requested for an interview with the inmates already admitted to bail, especially those ones their relatives do not know that they have been granted bail. The Junior Clinicians got their residential address and very soon, we would pay them a visit, In order to inform them of the good news and also convince them one on one to stand as their surety.

It's a work in progress. We are a work in progress.

Even as we teach our junior clinicians (400L students) the rudiments  of this profession, through practical learning and field work that they may continue with our legacy as we (Senior Clinicians, 500L students)move on to the next level in barely 3months time.

It's our duty to the community.

Absu LawClinic

Street Law Sensitization

Freedom of Information laws (FOI laws) allow access by the general public to data held by national governments. The emergence of freedom of information legislation was a response to increasing dissatisfaction with the secrecy surrounding government policy development and decision making.

   They establish a "right-to-know" legal process by which requests may be made for government-held information, to be received freely or at minimal cost, barring standard exceptions

  THE Street Law Department of the ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY Law Clinic led by Ndemole Blossom yesterday The 2nd of June 2016 paid a visit to Anglican Secondary School Okigwe, and this was to sensitise the students on their rights as enshrined in the Freedom Of Information Act 2011. The team took turns to lecture both students and staff of the School who paid rapt attention..

  This was in a bid to create awareness of the FOI act that has been in existence for a couple of years now.

A REPORT OF THE DEBATE COMPETITION BETWEEN 100 & 200LEVEL LAW STUDENTS, ORGANIZED BY THE ABSULAWCLINIC

DEBATE TOPIC; FREEDOM TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION IN NIGERIA IS PRACTICABLE. argue for or against.

The event was a success, as our guest judges, Barr Chizoba Okpara and Barr Kennedy Onyemere honoured our invitation with their presence.
   After a brief opening address by the Clinicians, our guest judges opened the competition proper, as the  contestants went in to the podium to battle it out intellectually.
    With the proposing side starting off their argument, and the opposing sides counter argument, then we entered into 5minutes of rebuttal.
  After which, the judges declared the winner to be 200Level Class ably represented by Obiwuma Blessing Chioma and Chukwu Joseph respectively. The runner up, 100Level Class was ably represented by Chiemela Gabriel Mba and Chibuike Eruka Nduri.

The Best Speaker went to Obiwuma Blessing Chioma, from 200L Class.
    Upon presentation of her prize, due to her stellar performance and exceptional poise, she was also made a Clinician for two academic days, automatically setting the record as the only clinician ever to come from a class below 400Level in the history of LawClinic in Nigeria.

  The guest judges were full of praise for the organizers; AbsuLawClinic and asked for more of this academic competitions  in the future.

   We want to say thank you to every Lawsanite that graced the event, and our teeming fans for their overflowing support  and encouragement.

Absu LawClinic

Re; THE 2nd LEG OF THE UMUAHIA PRISONS VISIT

Re; The Umuahia Prisons Department of the Absu LawClinic successfully went for the 2nd leg of their Prison Visit to Nigerian Prisons, Aba Road, Umuahia, Abia State on the 19th February, 2016.

    On the visit to the prisons, yesterday, we met with the prison authorities who ushered us in to the  Prison Hall, and gathered the inmates there to meet with us, after which we were asked to address them on our purpose for the visit.

   After this, we, a 21 man team, divided ourselves into 7 groups of 3 persons each. This was to enable us attend to as much inmates as we can within a short period of time the prison warders allotted to us for our purpose. 

   Using this method, we were able to interview a number of  45 inmates.

    Some cases we got were political, e.g a man arrested and charged for armed robbery due to and only because of his membership of I.P.O.B. some were highly delicate, e.g, a man who confessed to selling his one month old baby for #200,000 because he wanted to use #60,000 to pay for his wife's post natal complications, that we should help him. Majority of all other cases were cases of wrongful denial of bail against persons who could not afford a shortee with up to 3 years tax clearance, some other cases were cases of the famous holding charge syndrome; where persons would be deliberately charged to a court without jurisdiction to hear their matter, with the end result that the persons stay longer in detention waiting for a proper charge in the proper court, which most times takes an inordinately long time.

   A recurrent factor in all the cases we handled was that most inmates do not have a legal representative, they have never spoken to a lawyer before, but they have been charged to Magistrate Court, (a court without jurisdiction to try capital offences like armed robbery). Without persons speaking up for them.

 Also, At the prisons we saw Children of 9-12 years, young  persons of 15- 17 years, some in tears calling on us fervently to rescue them from the harsh realities they have been made to face in prison.

   As Final Year Law Students, primarily, this first hand experience of how the society is, was purely different from the laws we read in our textbooks, the various protection afforded to these persons by the law, and how things should be.

Amongst all these, The Absu LawClinic will start work immediately with all these cases at our disposal, working with all our sponsors to ensure we release as much pre-trial detainees as we can, within the bounds of the law.

Its our duty to the community.

Absulawclinic.

ABSULAWCLINIC DEBATE COMPETITION BETWEEN 100 & 200LEVEL LAW STUDENTS

The Absu LawClinic team will organise a debate competition on 16th February -18th February, 2016. Between the 100Level Students of our faculty and the 200Level Students.
   This is in line with our duty to inculcate advocacy skills and presentation skills in to our junior colleagues.
    The first stage of the competition which will hold today

16th February, 2016, will be a preliminary round from where 2 persons would be selected out of the two classes to represent the respective class at the finals which will hold on Thursday, 18th February 2016. At the Moot Court Hall, Faculty of Law Complex, Absu.
Time, 12:00pm.

There would be prizes for Best Team and Best Speaker.

Names of Participants include

100Level-
Onwuka Prince will Chimezie
Chibuike Eruka Nduri
Chiemela Gabriel Mba
Ibeh Favour Chinenye
Osueke Precious Chiamaka
Nwizu Ifeanyi Victor

200Level-
Blessing Obiwuma Chioma
Kennedy Amakolonwa
Joseph Chukwu
Thyword Nnadi
Okpara Curtis
Orji Ferdinand.



Guest judges for the finals would be, our student and Absulawclinic friendly lecturers, Barr Kennedy Onyemere,  Barr Chizoba Okpara and Barr Enwere Oguchinalu E.

Absu LawClinic

Absulawclinic Prison Visit

The Umuahia Prisons Department of the Absu LawClinic went for a prison visit  at the Nigerian Prisons Aba Road, Umuahia. (Abia State Capital) On Thursday, 11th February 2016,
    The purpose of this visit was to engineer the process of releasing pre-trial detainees. Especially persons whose cases have been looked in to but latter neglected in the long run due to one reason or another.
   The Absu LawClinic team met with the Deputy Comptroller of prisons Mr Obilor George for this reason. He welcomed the clinicians warmly and told them to come back on Friday, 19th February, 2016.
 
   The team hopes to interview and counsel this inmates, to know the main reasons for their detention, sadly, from the cases we have handled in the past, we have come to realise that most of the inmates do not even know why they are in detention, because they were just arrested without been told the offence (s) they  were arrested for, they have never been served any court papers nor have they been represented or queried by a legal practitioner.
   We hope to process their individual cases with a view to facilitate their prompt release from detention.

It's our duty to the community.

Absulawclinic

WORKSHOP ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FOR B.A.N.A SECONDARY SCHOOL, OKIGWE, IMO STATE

           The workshop was organized to enlighten secondary school staff and students on the existence,provisions and benefits of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. The workshop was held on the 26th day of June 2015 at the Bishop Alfred Nwaizuzu Anglican Secondary School (BANASS) Okigwe, Imo State.

 

 Clinicians from ABSU Law Clinic interacted with SS1 and SS2 students, as well as the staff of the school.

The subject matters that were discussed includes: The meaning of FOI and FOIA; Reasons for the enactment of the FOIA; Benefits of the FOIA; Exemptions to the right to access information under the Act; Mode of application under the Act, Mode of enforcement in event of denial of information requested., et cetera.

The workshop was a success.There was proper time management and general coordination.Students asked questions and were given answers.

The Principal Mr. Orji Kalu was impressed with the awareness program and stated that the school is open to the Law Clinic for further educative workshops.He requested that copies of the FOIA and other relevant materials be made available to the school for reference purposes.The students likewise expressed their joy over the enlightenment program.

Facilitators of the Workshop:
1) Barr. Emeka Okoroafor (Staff Clinician)
2) Erugoh Desiree (Head Clinician).

Participants:
Nkem Diala Caren
Udenze Hilda
Obairi Doreen
Agbara Ekeoma
Esther Onuoha
Balogu Henrietta

A REPORT ON UTURU COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The outreach was held on the 27th of March 2015.

We arrived at Uturu at exactly 9:15am. On arrival at the venue, the village square was already arranged for the outreach by the youths who were  aware of our visit.

However, we were faced with the challenge of gathering the villagers to the square for the outreach which was later resolved. A great number

of them finally came out and the students quickly started with the items on the programme after the opening prayer. There was an educating drama

display by the law students which also served as a mode of sensitizing the villagers about the freedom of Information Act.
Also, a brief speech was made by the 1st speaker for the outreach group in the person of Eke Nneka Anaga, who enlightened the villagers on the objectives of the FOI Act. Another speech was made by the 2nd speaker

in the person of Igboanugwo Valentine who discussed the procedures for enforcement of the right guaranteed under the FOI Act and lastly the 3rd speakers

Erondu Olanma enlightened them on the role of the Abia State University Law Clinic.
Our own co-ordinator

Barr. Emeka Okoroafor threw more light on what the speakers had said and also entertained some questions

from the villagers.
Some of the villagers asked questions based on the issue of security. They wanted to know how secured they were from the police and other law enforcement agencies in asking various questions. Barr. Emeka ensured them of their safety in respect of their rights in asking for information.
In terms of our achievements we were able to educate a great number of people on the provisions of the FOI Act and its objectives, as well as the role of the ABSU law clinic in helping get access to justice.
The students also interviewed some members of the community and finally a closing prayer was said by Obike Chinyere Peace. 
The outreach to Uturu community was organized by the following clinicians of Abia State law faculty Igwe Sandra, Abia Humphrey, Enyeazu Victor, Odiba Chidiebere, Erugo Desiree and our very own coordinators Dr. Sam Erugo and Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.
   In Attendance were:
The 5th year clinicians
The 4th year clinicians
The Clinic Staff/Supervisor: Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.

 

A REPORT ON OVIM FOI COMMUNITY OUTREACH

On Tuesday, the 24th day of March, 2015, the Abia State University Law clinicians paid a visit to Ovim community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State

 in a bid to sensitize them on their Freedom of Information. (FOI).
Arrival to Ovim community was at about 8:30am; when we arrived, large members of the community were already gathered and seated

with their Eze and Chiefs who were also present to welcome us.

The Clinic Staff, Barr Emeka Okoroafor made our presence known to them by giving a brief introduction of who we were, where we came from, what we intended to do and achieve at the end of that day.
After that, the final year clinicians played out an Igbo drama

which was an eye opener for them on their right to request for information from the government and get adequate answers there from.
While the drama played out, the members of the community watched with keen interest, awe and approval; their excitement and applause was evident.
After the drama, an introductory speech was given by

Ezutah Lekwa Agbogho (1st speaker) who spoke in Igbo language on the meaning and use of the FOI Act; the 2nd speaker

Enyinnanya Nwagbai spoke on the procedures necessary in the use of the FOI Act; the 3rd speaker Nworie Genevieve concluded while the Clinic Staff, Barr. Emeka Okoroafor gave the summary speech and encouraged the community members not to hesitate to call us for help or visit our law clinic anytime they needed our help.
The community members were given the FOI Act and flyers which contained all they need to know about FOI.

The Eze and few members of the community thanked us for coming to enlighten them on their right and on the need of the use of the FOI Act.
On behalf of the ABSU Law Clinic the Clinic Staff,  Barr. Emeka Okoroafor thanked the members of the community for coming and giving us their time, he also thanked them for welcoming us. We left the community at about 11:00am.
In Attendance were:
The 5th year clinicians
The 4th year clinicians
The Clinic Staff/Supervisor:
Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.