Interviews and Special Feature with Oluyemi Orija – Lawyers NowNow (Headfort Foundation)
- Lawyers NowNow connects people to pro bono lawyers instantly. What’s the most dramatic ‘rescue’ story facilitated by the speed of your platform?
One of the most dramatic rescues facilitated by the speed of Lawyers NowNow involved a youth corps member who faced harassment from his Community Liaison Officer (CLO) and officials of his Community Development Association (CDA). His ‘offence’ was a simple comment in their WhatsApp group, suggesting that the group should focus on meaningful discussions and not irrelevant activities. In retaliation, he was issued a formal query and ordered to report to the NYSC Headquarters in Lagos, a situation that could have escalated into an extension of his service year.
Feeling threatened, he used the Lawyers NowNow app to request immediate legal support. Within minutes, he was connected to a pro bono lawyer who accompanied him to the NYSC Headquarters. With proper legal representation, the matter was swiftly resolved. The lawyer emphasised that his right to freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, and that the tone or perceived politeness of his statement did not invalidate that right.
With the instant access provided by LawyersNowNow, a situation that could have significantly disrupted his life and future was resolved quickly, fairly, and without further harassment.
- You’ve secured the release of hundreds of inmates. What keeps you going on the days when the justice system feels overwhelmingly slow?
What keeps me going, even on the days when the justice system feels painfully slow, are the people behind the numbers; the faces, and the families. Every time we walk into a courtroom and see someone regain their freedom, every time a mother calls to say her child is finally home, every time a person who felt forgotten is reminded that their life matters — that is what fuels me.
I also draw strength from the memory of the injustice I witnessed as a child, when over 30 breadwinners in my village were wrongfully detained for years because they couldn’t afford lawyers. That experience ignited a lifelong commitment to ensure no one suffers injustice simply because they are poor, and that fire still burns just as strongly today.
Seeing the real and tangible impact of our work, one person at a time, also keeps me steady. And knowing that change is possible, even if slow, reminds me that every effort, every case, and every freedom secured is a victory worth fighting for.
- Since the Civic Tech Fellowship closed out, what are you most proud of achieving with your solution? (Share a specific milestone, a new partnership, or a story of real-world impact that has happened in recent months.)
Since the Civic Tech Fellowship closed out, one of our proudest achievements has been the incorporation of a toll-free number into the Lawyers NowNow platform. This innovation has extended access to justice to people in rural areas who lack internet connectivity or internet-enabled devices, ensuring that legal support reaches even the most underserved communities.
A powerful example of its impact involves a woman working as a domestic staff member in Abeokuta. She had been falsely accused of stealing her employer’s money and had struggled for two years to afford legal representation. Eventually, her lawyer refused to continue representing her due to non-payment. Through our toll-free line, she was immediately connected to a pro bono lawyer, who took up her case and successfully represented her in court. She was ultimately discharged and acquitted, reclaiming her freedom and dignity.
This milestone demonstrates how Lawyers NowNow is breaking barriers, making justice accessible to those who need it most.
4. Looking ahead, what does the next chapter look like for your initiative?
Looking ahead, the next chapter for our initiative focuses on scaling our impact, expanding accessibility, and deepening systemic change. We plan to reach more underserved communities across Southwest Nigeria and beyond, ensuring that people can easily access legal aid and advice.
To expand accessibility, we will partner with local radio stations, broadcasting legal education and guidance in indigenous languages to reach people without internet access. We also intend to collaborate with religious bodies, leveraging their community networks to identify individuals in need of legal support. Those in need will be able to reach out directly to the Lawyers NowNow platform or our toll-free line to access legal services and advice promptly.
Through these efforts, we aim to create a sustainable, inclusive, and scalable system where every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can assert their rights and receive timely legal support.
Quick Fire Round:
Ready for quick-fire rounds?
Yes, let’s go
Courtroom Litigation or Platform Development?
Platform Development – because building and scaling digital solutions allows me to reach far more people, especially those who cannot physically access courts, multiplying the impact on access to justice.
Legal Research or Client Interview?
Client Interview- because understanding clients’ real-life experiences and challenges helps me to provide legal solutions that truly meet their needs and protect their rights.
DreamCollab?
We intend to collaborate with the Prison Ministry of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to provide legal aid to inmates identified by the ministry. Many religious organisations focus on spiritual guidance and material support in prisons, but legal aid is often overlooked. Through this partnership, we aim to fill that critical gap and ensure inmates have access to justice alongside other forms of support.