Financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Sierra Leone Bar Association has successfully represented 408 cases in its Legal Aid Scheme, since the inception of the scheme ten months ago.

The Sierra Leone Bar Association launched the Legal Aid Scheme in March 2009 to provide free legal services to persons who cannot reasonably afford private legal services.

The scheme is aimed at increasing access to justice for the poor and marginalized citizens.

Independent investigations conducted by the Awareness Times Newspaper prove that the scheme has represented a total number of 527 accused persons. It was also revealed that the scheme has succeeded in recording 124 discharged cases out of the 408 cases it has represented. And 137, out of the 527 accused persons represented have been discharged.

In the cases being represented by the Bar Association’s Legal Aid Scheme, a total of 39 have been committed to the High Court, whilst 8 cases have been sentenced or fined. 10 of the cases represented by the scheme have been adjourned sine die (indefinitely). The Legal Aid Scheme has associated with the prosecution in 21 cases.

The total number of juvenile cases recorded so far by the Sierra Leone Bar Association’s Legal Aid Scheme is 38; female cases account for 45; disabled 1 and; a total number of 190 cases are ongoing.

Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Easmon N.B Ngakui Esq., told the Awareness Times in an exclusive interview that the scheme was brought to life when the UNDP approved the legal aid scheme concept paper presented to it by the Bar Association, under his Secretary Generalship.