Rights Enforcement & Public Law Centre
REPLACE evolved in the context of a project to model interventions for managing Pre-Trial Detention (PTD project) and develop a Police Duty-Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) in Nigeria. This project began in 2004 and is a pioneer civil society effort to respond to the seemingly intractable problem of ‘awaiting trial persons’ in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

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How can the Duty Solicitors be contacted?
The Contact Numbers of the Duty Solicitors are displayed on Posters at the designated Police Stations. They can also be reached through Offices of the Legal Aid Council in the project States.
Which States have this scheme?
The PDDS Scheme is currently being implemented in 6 States in Nigeria. Imo, Kaduna, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers and Sokoto State.
Is there a framework for this Scheme?
In 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding was entered into by the Open Society Justice Initiative, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force to give effect to the PDSS Scheme. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)enables the Duty Solicitors to get unfettered access to the desiganted Police Stations in the States, secure Police Cooperation on the Scheme and also outline the responsibilities of the different parties to the MOU.

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