The Executive Director of Headfort Foundation, Mrs Oluyemi Orija, said they are committed to seeking access to justice for all at a recent event to mark their five years anniversary in Lagos.
Newsmen reports that the NGO founded in 2019 had impacted over 2 million people on human rights advocacy, rendered legal aid to 12000 beneficiaries and through it’s legal services have facilitated the release of 628 indigent pre-trial inmates, and many more impact stories.
Orija, in her remarks on the 5th anniversary tagged “5 Years of Restoring Justice”, said herself and her team have focused on creating a society where everyone has access to justice.
She said that the foundation would expand its work to policy reforms, as a way of institutionalisingthe gains and impacts of its work in the past five years
“If we secure the release of two inmates today, there is a possibility that eight others would be arrested same day. So, we can’t keep securing the release of inmates when several others are getting back there.
“As such, we want to focus on policy reforms and address the causative factors behind the detainment of inmates,” Orija said.
She said that one of the flagship project of the foundation ‘Lawyers- Without- Border’ would be expanded to other states across the country to drive more impact and also focus on juvenile justice reforms.
The executive director expressed profound gratitude to the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force for the collaboration and partnership that existed between them and the foundation.
“In addition to its direct legal assistance efforts, we have been at the forefront of advocacy campaigns aimed at addressing systemic injustices and promoting legislative reforms to safeguard human rights.”
“Through strategic partnerships, grassroots mobilization, and targeted advocacy initiatives, the organization has effectively raised awareness about pressing human rights issues and advocated for meaningful policy changes at local, national, and international levels.
“Our journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to the principles of justice and equality. As we celebrate this milestone, we recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of a more just and equitable society for all.”
Orija also expressed gratitude to donors and benefactors of the foundation for the trust they repose in them.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Todimu Ige, a human rights lawyer who spoke on the ‘Intersection of Poverty Alleviation and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria’, said that poverty has aggravated violation of human rights in the country, and that it was important for Nigerians to know their rights.
Ige urged Nigerians to unite to make the system work, adding that there is a plethora of laws in the country with little or no impacts.
Newsmen recalled that the foundation in that last five years had also organized advocacy for the awareness of human rights in public schools, motor parks, correctional centers , etc.
Recently, the foundation held a workshop for women at Ketu market to mark the International Women’s Day, 2024.
The event had in attendance lawyers, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Judiciary, media and beneficiaries of the foundation’s interventions.
