Partners West Africa Nigeria with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), undertook an initiative to tackle one of Nigeria’s most pressing justice challenges: prolonged pre-trial detention by expanding access to quality legal representation for indigent individuals in Kano State, the project aims to reduce overcrowded prisons, address delays in justice, address the severe shortage of defense lawyers and strengthen trust in the rule of law.

At the heart of the project is the establishment of a state-level Public Defender’s Office which is the first of its kind in Kano and was designed to ensure that every individual, regardless of means, can access fair and timely defence. The office brings together the Kano State Government, Emirate Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, and international partners in a collaborative effort to close critical gaps in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

What We Did?

Through this project PWAN:

• Recruited 15-25 lawyers for the Kano Public Defender’s Office along with support staff and a data manager, to provide quality legal representation to indigent individuals.
• Established case management, assignment, and intake protocols to ensure fair, timely, and accountable representation.
• Established a Board of Governors to provide supervision, promote accountability, and support client feedback systems.
• Raised public awareness by engaging communities through outreach campaigns, town halls, radio, and print media to promote citizens’ rights and access to services.
• Expanded access online by developing a dedicated website to inform citizens about their legal rights and how to connect with the Public Defender’s Office.

Our Goal

By equipping Kano with a sustainable, government-supported Public Defender’s Office, this project seeks to reduce pre-trial detention, expand access to justice, and create a fairer, more effective criminal justice system for all.

Upon successful completion, the Kano State government assumed full responsibility for administering, managing, and financing the office, with support from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano Branch.