Residents of Wuro Chekke Community, Yola South Local Government, Adamawa State gained access to free legal guidance and rights education on February 28 when the Law Clinic of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) brought its pro bono outreach directly to the community.
The outreach formed part of the clinic’s commitment to bridging the gap between legal knowledge and underserved communities that often lack the financial resources to pursue justice. By bringing legal services closer to the people, the initiative sought to empower residents with the knowledge needed to understand their rights and address legal challenges affecting their daily lives.
Organized by the AUN Law School Clinic, the engagement combined free legal services with community sensitization on citizens’ rights and the legal avenues available for resolving disputes. For many residents, professional legal advice has long seemed distant and unattainable. Through the outreach, however, the Law Clinic created an opportunity for community members to speak directly with trained legal professionals and students working under expert supervision.
Present at the outreach was Dr. Bitrus Joseph Bulama, Director of the AUN Law Clinic, whose leadership continues to drive the clinic’s mission of service and experiential legal education. The event was moderated by Williams Richard and Sani Muhammad, who guided discussions and explained the range of services offered by the Law Clinic.
During the session, the moderators explained that the clinic operates as a structured and supervised platform where law students, under the guidance of the Dean, experienced faculty members, and practicing lawyers, provide free legal assistance to members of the public. They emphasized that the Law Clinic is not merely a student exercise but a professionally supervised legal support system designed to ensure accountability and quality legal support.
Residents were also informed about the wide range of services available through the clinic. These include free legal counseling, court representation, alternative dispute resolution, legal document drafting, and public legal education. The clinic also carries out prison and police station visits, advocates for human rights, and provides support for vulnerable individuals and communities.
As discussions unfolded, members of the community openly shared concerns ranging from land disputes to other pressing legal challenges. The outreach team further informed residents that the Law Clinic office remains open during official working hours and provided contact numbers for the Director and other responsible officials, encouraging the community to seek assistance whenever the need arises.
The impact of the outreach was deeply felt and clearly expressed by members of the community. Charity Abraham, one of the beneficiaries, spoke with visible emotion. “I am overjoyed. I am thankful to the parents who sent their children to school to enlighten us. Before now, we didn’t know our rights from our wrongs, but now I know how to claim my rights from people.”
John Kewatu, a resident of Wuro Chekke, also shared his thoughts. “Honestly, I am grateful for this program. We discussed our problems with the students and officials. Lack of knowledge has been our weakness. We are grateful for this visit and hope to see more of this next time.”
Asma’u Bello, a Sophomore in the AUN School of Law, reflected on the experience. “At AUN Law School, we are very passionate about what we do. We love to see our passion being brought to life. We are trained to offer pro bono services to the community. Today we see that the education we receive in the classroom can actually be implemented.”
Her reflection highlights the dual impact of the initiative. While community members gained access to legal knowledge and support, students also gained valuable real-world experience that strengthens their professional training.
Reported by Udoh Victoria Clement