Efforts to deepen public awareness of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Lagos State gathered momentum as the Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE) took its advocacy to Ipodo Market in Ikeja, engaging traders and residents in a grassroots sensitisation campaign.
The programme, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) initiative, forms part of a 12-month project designed to improve access to justice and ensure that ordinary citizens understand and benefit from the provisions of the ACJL.
Unlike previous engagements, organisers observed a notable shift in public response, with market participants now more willing to report alleged rights violations and demand accountability.
Executive Director of REPLACE, Felicitas Aigbogun-Brai, said the growing confidence among citizens is a sign that the advocacy is yielding results.
“When we first came here in late 2024, people mostly asked questions. But today, we are seeing something different—people are making complaints,” she said. “That shows increased awareness and empowerment.”
She recounted instances during the outreach where traders reported alleged police harassment, including claims of excessive fines. Affected individuals were promptly referred to appropriate channels such as the Legal Aid Council, the National Human Rights Commission, and other complaint mechanisms.
“Our goal is to get to a point where citizens can confidently say: ‘You cannot violate my rights,’ and immediately seek help from legal institutions,” Aigbogun-Brai added. “For us, that is success.”
Also speaking, Iyabo Akingbade, State Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council in Lagos, stressed the importance of taking legal awareness directly to the grassroots, particularly to vulnerable populations.
“We provide free legal services to indigent and vulnerable persons, including women, children, and victims of trafficking,” she said. “This sensitisation is to ensure that people understand their rights, especially when dealing with law enforcement.”
Akingbade highlighted critical provisions of the ACJL, including the abolition of “arrest in lieu,” where relatives are detained in place of suspects, and the right of women to stand as sureties in bail processes.
“Being in conflict with the law does not strip anyone of their fundamental rights,” she noted. “Every suspect must be treated with dignity, informed of the reason for arrest, and given access to legal representation. Where they cannot afford a lawyer, free legal services are available.”
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To further empower traders, organisers distributed key contact lines for immediate support in cases of rights violations. These include:
Nigeria Bar Association: 08033360182
National Human Rights Commission: 09080325586
Legal Aid Council: 07070376544
Community leaders at the event commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Olori Adefolami, the first female Community Development Committee (CDC) chairperson in Ikeja Local Government, said the campaign has significantly improved awareness among women.
“Many women in our community now know they can stand as sureties at police stations. This was not widely known before,” she said. “REPLACE has helped open the eyes of our people.”
Similarly, Oshiberu Sulukaleen, Secretary of the CDC, noted that the sensitisation is already changing attitudes and strengthening community response to rights violations.
“This programme is coming at the right time. Women have been marginalised for too long,” he said. “With the phone numbers and information provided, people can now reach the right authorities directly instead of relying solely on community leaders.”
Organisers said the market outreach strategy is deliberate, targeting spaces where large numbers of people—especially women and informal sector workers—can be reached effectively.
With plans to extend the campaign to other markets across Lagos, stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained engagement will foster a more rights-conscious society and strengthen trust between citizens and the justice system.
