Access to Justice
Access to Justice
Helping people understand their rights and obtain legal support
documented legal-service operations
discharges or acquittals reported in the 2023 brochure
For people with limited financial resources, obtaining legal advice and representation can be difficult. These barriers can leave individuals and families struggling to navigate legal proceedings or secure assistance when it is needed.
GIPSED’s Access to Justice initiative provides free legal services and representation, alongside rights-awareness activities, for people across Odo-Otin, Ifelodun and Boripe Local Government Areas of Osun State.
Establishing the programme
In January 2022, GIPSED began putting its dedicated Access to Justice service into operation. Olajumoke Comfort Ojo, serving as Legal Officer and Head of Administration, worked with Field Coordinator Mr Seun Abimbola Olaniyan to introduce the initiative to local justice-sector stakeholders.
The first weekly report, covering 17–21 January 2022, records visits to courts and police stations in Okuku and Inisa. These engagements introduced the programme, established contacts and explored how GIPSED could identify people needing legal assistance.
Free legal assistance and representation
GIPSED engaged a lawyer to assist people who could not afford legal services. The programme’s work includes identifying cases within its scope and helping individuals access representation.
The 2023 brochure reports support for people from Ikirun, Oyan, Inisa and Iragbiji who had been held in Ilesa Prison for approximately a year in connection with what the brochure describes as minor offences.
At that reporting point, four people had been discharged and acquitted, while a fifth had been granted bail on more accessible terms and was awaiting trial.
These outcomes illustrate the practical difference that access to legal representation can make for people facing financial barriers.
Know Your Rights
Alongside individual assistance, GIPSED’s Know Your Rights (KYR) initiative promotes awareness of human rights and legal responsibilities among community members and associations.
The programme combines support for people already facing legal difficulties with information that helps others understand their rights and the avenues available for seeking assistance.
Building a structured service
The January 2022 report documents the preparation of client registration and interview forms, research into materials for legal-awareness activities, and observation of court proceedings.
These early steps helped establish a process for receiving enquiries, understanding clients’ circumstances and identifying matters appropriate for GIPSED’s support.
Working with local institutions
The programme’s initial engagements included court officials and police leadership in Okuku and Inisa. These relationships helped the legal officer understand local procedures and identify opportunities to assist people within the programme’s scope.
GIPSED’s role is to help people access legal advice and representation, with case outcomes determined through the justice system.
Documented milestones
| Period | Programme record |
|---|---|
| January 2022 | Dedicated legal service became operational |
| 17–21 January 2022 | Introductory visits to courts and police stations in Okuku and Inisa; client forms and awareness materials developed |
| By the 2023 brochure | Four people reported discharged and acquitted |
| At the same reporting point | One further person granted bail and awaiting trial |
Programme activities and stories
This section will document rights-awareness activities, legal-service milestones and confirmed case outcomes. Photographs and case accounts will be included where appropriate, with personal and confidential information protected.
Through free legal assistance and community education, GIPSED works to make access to justice more attainable for people at the grassroots.