BAYERO UNIVERSITY LAW CLINIC (BULC)

...Serving the Humanity through the Instrumentality of the Law

Clinical Legal Education

Clinical Legal Education (CLE) is an innovative approach to legal education that goes beyond traditional classroom teaching. It involves practical learning where law students actively engage in the practice of law under the supervision of an experienced and practicing lawyer (Clinic Coordinator). The primary goal of CLE is to bridge the gap between legal theory and practical application.

In a clinical legal education, students have the opportunity to work on real cases and interact with clients.This practical experience allows students to develop essential lawyering skills, such as interviewing clients and negotiating, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the ethical responsibilities of legal practitioners.

Community outreach programs are common components of Clinical Legal Education. These settings provide a supportive environment for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world legal issues. CLE not only prepares students for the challenges of legal practice but also fosters a sense of social responsibility and ethical awareness within the legal profession.

Who We Are

About the BULC

The Bayero University Law Clinc (BULC) is a Law Clinic established in Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano in the year 2017 and duly registered under the Network of Universities Legal Aid Institution (NULAI). It is an avenue that gives law students an opportunity to know the practical aspect of law through mechanisms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Social Justice and Access to Justice. It also educates, trains and sensitizes students, staff, and communities around the Bayero University Campus on their fundamental rights, social rights, domestic rights, career development and co-relative rights. The Bayero University Law Clinic offers pro-bono (free) legal service in form of legal advice, representation, dispute resolution, advocacy and sensitization to indigent persons.

The Law Clinic, which is a student based clinic, is under the supervision of a clinical coordinator, Malam Mas'ud Narimi Esq, a lecturer in the faculty of law, Bayero University, Kano, and has endorsement from a plethora of distinguished personalities, federal bodies, and corporate bodies. Some of which includes; Prof. Tabiu Muhammed SAN, Suraj Sa'eda SAN, Chairman Governing Board, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Ministry of Justice Kano State, Youth Alive Foundation (NGO), Nigerian Bar Association Kano Branch and Kano State Judiciary, the Kano Multi-door Courthouse, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Concilliators.

Our Mission and Vision

To help build a community that is legally empowered and that possesses a strengthened capacity to exercise their rights, either as individuals or as members of the community.

To ensure that all indigent persons in its sphere of influence will have access to justice. Law graduates who are professionally trained and are at the highest echelons insofar as their employability is concerned.

To ensure a broader community that is sensitised to their social justice responsibility.

Our Aims and Objectives

The Clinic aims and objectives, as clearly spelt out in its enabling constitution, include:

1. Ensuring good governance and accountability within and outside the university;

2. Providing avenue to settle disputes through alternative dispute resolution;

3. Training of young persons on personal and career development;

4. Educating and sensitizing constituents of its host community and Kano State on their fundamental rights, environmental and domestic rights, social and co-relative rights;

5. Assisting and providing pro-bono legal services to indigent persons who are awaiting trial at various correctional centres and other detention centres and other humanitarian services which may be necessary to promote the reputable image of the Bayero University Law Clinic (BULC) towards ensuring a just and peaceful society.

6. Organising Public Campaigns and Enlightenments about Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) & Street Lawyering on issues that affect the society to wit; Sexual Harassment, Human Trafficking, Drug Abuse, Violence & Conflict and Pre Trial Detention among many others.

Our Core Values

The Law Clinic expects every student clinician to maintain the Clinic's core values in dealing with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders. The Clinic's core values are:

1. Diligence and passion;

2. Transparency and honesty;

3. Integrity and respect;

4. Accountability.

Composition and Operation of the Clinic

The Bayero University Law Clinic is headed by a Director General (Clinic Head). The Clinic has four (4) departments namely; Human Right Department, Pre-trial Detention Department, Freedom of Information Department and Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, which is headed by a Deputy Director.

While carrying out its projects/activities, the Program Officer of the Clinic ensures the smooth actualization of such activities with the assistance of his assistant. Other administrative duties are carried out by the officer in charge of them.

The clinic operates on the principle of unity, cooperation and commitment and this has been instrumental in moving the clinic to greater height right from inception.

The Clinic Cordinators and Patrons

Mas'ud Narimi

(Lecturer, Faculty of Law, B.U.K.)

Dr. Amana Yusuf

(Lecturer, Faculty of Law, B.U.K.)

Notable Events & Projects

Below are some of the achievements, projects and successful activities recorded by the clinic

Public Lecture: Implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Kano State 2019

The clinic organised a public lecture on the topic: “Implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Kano State 2019” in (2021). The programme had in attendance dignitaries from within and outside Kano State. They include, Hon. Attorney General of Jigawa State, Hon. Attorney General of Kano State, Commissioner of Police Kano Command, Controller Nigeria Correctional Service , Kano State, Chief Justice Kano State, Ministry of Justice Zamfara.

Street Lawyering/Community Sensitization Outreach

The clinic embarked on Street Lawyering/Community Sensitization Outreach across different communities in Kano State (2018) sponsored by the Partners for West Africa (PWAN), communities like Janguza, Sabon-Gari, and Unguwar-Uku were visited to educate them on pressing social issues like domestic violence, child abuse, child trafficking, sexual harassment, and fundamental human rights.

Access to justice amongst pre-trial detainees in Kano State (2018-2019)

The clinic facilitated the "Access to justice" amongst pre-trial detainees in Kano State (2018-2019). The clinic was sponsored by the Youth Alive Foundation with support from Ford Foundation to render pro-bono legal service to 40 pre-trial detainees in Kano Central Correctional Centre (formerly the Kano Central Prison, Kurmawa). That same year, the clinic also got sponsorship by the NULAI under OSIWA pre-trial project to render pro-bono legal services to 30 pre-trial inmates in Kano Central Correctional Centre. It is important to state that the clinic successfully carried out both projects.

Young Persons in Peace and Conflict Transformation (YPPCT) Project, 2021

The Clinic in 2021 executed the Young Persons in Peace and Conflict Transformation (YPPCT) Project. The project was sponsored by NULAI whereby students from there (3) secondary schools within Kano State were trained on the concept of peace and conflict resolution.

Courtesy Visit to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kano and Internship Slot

Through the Courtesy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Justice., Kano state, the Bayero University Law Clinic has secured thirty slots for its members to intern with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Kano State Ministry of Justice, Kano state.

ADR workshop in Honour of Hon. Justice Safiyya Badamasiy, SAN

The Hon. Justice Safiyya Badamasiy SAN ADR Workshop in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Mediators (ICMC) AND Kano State Multi-Door Courthous (KMDC) where the participants were exposed to the rudiments of Alternative Dispute Resolution in tune with 21st century Lawyering.

Radio Sentization about Bayero University Legal Clinic

The program officer and the Secretary General of Bayero University Law clinic on Arewa Radio Kano for a sensitization program about the activities of the Bayero University Law clinic in the spheres of human rights, human trafficking, domestic violence and other forms of vices within the communities.

Cloth Donation to Goron Dutse Correctional Facilities

A cloth donation outreach to the Goron Dutse Correctional facilities where cloths and other items were donated to the inmates as well as human rights education awareness and alternatives available to the inmates for securing their freedom.

Commemoration of International Human Rights Day

The Bayero University Law Clinic in collaboration with the international human rights commission, Kano state zonal office organised a one day program in commemoration of international human rights day.

Orientation Programme on Bayero University Law Clinic

A general orientation on the importance of clinical legal education and the structure of the Bayero University Law Clinic, its departments, namely the departments of Pre-Trial, Human Rights, Freedom of Information and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

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Gallery

Navigate memorable moments of our events and programmes