THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

Due to incessant adjournments, the appeal has not been heard to date. The next adjourned date isJanuary 16, 2007.RECOMMENDATIONS1. Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) should ensure that case files sent to them bythe police are not unduly delayed, in order to reduce the number of cases awaiting trial arisingfrom the “holding charge” syndrome.2. The Administration of Justice Committees should undertake regular visits to prisons preferablyon monthly basis. This is to assist the Committee in the early identification of cases where lackof access to justice has caused undue detention.3. Mechanism should be put in place for the regular review of the activities of lower courts,especially Customary, Magistrates and Sharia Courts. This is because of the number of casestried in these courts, which has the direct impact on indigent litigants and their access tojustice.4. The National Assembly and the Attorneys­General of the Federation and the States shouldprovide the necessary legal framework for the provision of pro bono services to all persons inneed.5. The Legal Aid Council, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Associationand civil society groups offering pro bono legal services should be adequately funded to set upa mechanism, whereby such services will be readily available to all persons in need.82