DUTY SOLICITORS NETWORK (DSN) CALLS FOR SUPPORT.

Since the launch of the Duty Solicitors Network (DSN) in 2018, this unique group has grown from its activities with the Judiciary to promoting PDSS, training lawyers and other stakeholders in promoting the implementation of the ACJA, to supporting other initiatives that protect the rights of vulnerable persons and citizens in general.

DSN has access to over 300 lawyers across Nigeria providing unique and focused legal support that promotes the rule of law and good governance (read more below).

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND DONATIONS. Contact Bayo Akinlade on +234 806 517 2866 or [email protected] for more details.

DUTY SOLICITORS NETWORK (DSN) IN BRIEF

In early 2018, the then Chief Judge of Lagos State; Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (rtd.) designated magistrates to visit police detention facilities in line with Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015. 

Even though this Act was not applicable under the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) at the time, Hon. Justice Oke was convinced that the provisions of the ACJA were vital in ensuring that pre-trial detainees received justice and besides, it was a good strategy in decongesting the Court.

To support the Chief Judge in this initiative, Bayo Akinlade put a group of lawyers together to accompany the designated Magistrates. This group was designed to provide logistics and other support to the Magistrates since there were no structures or funding for the Magistrates to undertake the visits.

This group of lawyers organized periodic meetings with the Magistrates and strategized on how best to make the initiative successful. In May 2018, a WhatsApp group was set up and named Duty Solicitors Network (DSN).

Today, DSN has over 200 lawyers on its Whatsapp platform and over 100 lawyers from both the public and private sectors supporting magistrates in various states. DSN is unique because it brings together lawyers in private practice, lawyers in the Ministry of Justice, Office of the Public Defender, lawyers from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, FIDA, and other groups to support and work with the Judiciary.

DSN is currently undergoing registration with the CAC as an NGO and has members in about 5 states including the FCT.

With the local funding DSN attracts, it has been able to facilitate the growth of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) as well as support lawyers who volunteer to accompany magistrates to visit police Detention facilities.