Yusuf Temilola NURUDEEN

Founder and Executive Director

Foundation for Public Interest Law and Development (The Pro Bono Centre) · Lagos, Nigeria

Present

Raised funds from various philanthropic sources to support two projects; the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitors Scheme (CDSS) that secured the release of 312 pretrial detainees. Rendered pro bono bespoke legal advisory services to start-ups and SMEs to help grow their businesses, scale regulatory compliances and resolve disputes. Led a team of 139 Volunteer counsels to implement the litigation strategy for pre-trial detainees (Awaiting Trial) and concluded 116 cases in 5 appearances. Engaged the Nigerian Correctional Service amongst other government agencies in public interest litigation. Partnered with the Nigerian Bar Association and Lagos Judiciary in advocacy for protecting human rights and access to justice.

Senior Associate

The LegalHub Partnership · Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Present

Represented a diversified client base that includes corporations, government agencies, and individuals in various industries in Human Rights Enforcement and Constitutional Matters, Manufacturing and Industrial Relations, Medical Services, Arbitration and Mediation; Conducted over 200 trials in Civil and Criminal Litigation before all Courts in Nigeria, including the Court of Appeal; Supervised 3 Associates, 5 Legal Assistants (Interns) and Clerks/paralegals reviewing motions, briefs and providing legal advice. Dedicated 8 hours a week to rendering pro bono services and protecting the vulnerable populations against unlawful detention and decongestion of the correctional facilities, Inclusion, Open government, gender-based violence, child abuse, and unfair dismissal.

Partner

Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership · Ikeja, Lagos

Present

Rendered legal services for pro-bono-referred indigent residents of Lagos State. Concluded 7 cases of legal guardianship, child custody and educational rights of children traumatised by family violence; Represented low-income tenants to prevent harassment and unlawful eviction; Secured dissolution of marriage, child custody, settlement of properties, maintenance and severance benefits judgement in favour of 11 women in chaotic marriages; Defended 13 inmates awaiting-trial for within 3 to 9 years in murder, rape, armed robbery, defilement cases. Volunteered for Aardschap Foundation to educate at least 45 inmates at Ikoyi Prisons on the functioning of the formal court

Legal Adviser/National Secretary

Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria · Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

I am responsible for planning, organizing, hosting meetings and providing secretarial services for unarguably the strongest representation of Nigeria’s Young Leaders; Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni; Ensuring that the activities of the Association comply with the provisions of the Constitution, and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; filing annual returns and the records of the Association with regulatory bodies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Member

Nigerian Bar Association · Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

In line with the Legal Practitioners Act and other provisions of this Constitution, I work with the National Executive Committee and 150 distinguished members of the National Executive Council (NEC) to; exercise control and management over the finances of the Association; appoint representatives to any Statutory, Executive/Judicial Commissions, or other bodies; expressing the views of the Association upon any matters of public interest or upon any matters of general interest to the Legal Profession; and making all necessary arrangements for the Annual General Meeting through the National Secretariat of the Association.

Chairman

Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum, Ikeja Branch · Lagos, Nigeria

Formulated and implemented transformational initiatives for capacity development, mentorship and welfare of about 2,000 young lawyers in the Ikeja Branch. Launched the first Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) website; Kemi Pinheiro, SAN essay competition for young lawyers; introduced a monthly Continuing Legal Education Courses; facilitated free access to Law Pavilion research portal for over 900 young lawyers; organised the Young Lawyers Summit 2021.

Accountaprenuer Fellowship

Accountability Lab · Washington, United States

Six (6) months of fellowship programme learning on Inclusion and diversity, Design Thinking, Theory of Change, Measurement and Evaluation and the whole gamut of how to establish and manage a sustainable social intervention/enterprise.

Volunteer

Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism · Abuja, Nigeria.

Collaborated with the Coalition of Lawyers for Press Freedom (CLPF) to provide legal advice, initiate and/or support ongoing cases; analysed, reviewed and advocated for amendment or outright repeal of all oppressive press laws in Nigeria; Defended the freedom of the press and represented Journalists attacked, harassed or humiliated in the course of duty; Co-drafted the first ever Nigerian Charter on Press Freedom.

Volunteer Counsel

Media Rights Agenda · Lagos, Nigeria

Working with other Civil Society Actors for the purpose of promoting and protecting the right to freedom of expression, media freedom, access to information as well as digital rights and freedoms.

Volunteer

Prisoners' Rights Advocacy Initiative · Lagos, Nigeria

I have represented inmates in court providing pro-bono legal services, educated and participated actively in the empowerment and rehabilitation of prison inmates. I led advocacy programmes to the pubic prosecution arm of the state be more responsible in its role to ensure speedy trials of accused persons, agitating against unlawful detention and bringing to the attention of government matters bothering on the welfare of prisoners and other victims of human rights abuse.