About us

The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative otherwise known as Partners West Africa – Nigeria (PWAN) with support from the US Embassy Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) with implementing partners- PartnersGlobal and Democratic Action Group (DAG) launched and implemented the Greater Access to Defense and Justice Project (GADJET) in January 2017. The project established a Public Defenders Office (PDO) in Kano State on 16th February 2017 to provide pro bono legal aid services, legal education, advice and representation to less privileged persons in Kano State.

• Improve citizens’ access to legal support by establishing a sustainable Public Defender’s Office (PDO) in Kano.
  
• Develop incentives for lawyers to become public defenders or provide more regularized pro bono legal services for indigent individuals.
  
• Development of relationships with other justice sector actors in Kano State to promote mutual respect and professional cooperation.
  
• Raise public awareness of the available services and resources of the Kano Public Defender’s Office

Kano State was created in May 1967, and is located in the North Western geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Kano is one of the largest States in Nigeria with a population of about Nine million Nigerians. The city of Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria. An estimated 64% of the population of Kano State is said to live under $1 a day. This large proportion of the population is also made up of unemployed and vulnerable persons who cut across women, children, youth, physically and mentally challenged persons.

Partners West Africa – Nigeria in Kano State since August 2016, the data gathered shows that legal aid services were rated at 14% in the courts. There are 10 prisons in Kano State and 80% of the prison population is awaiting trial.