Worldwide, the pervasive issue of police brutality has become increasingly normalized, with numerous cases of extrajudicial killings being reported. This stark reality was glaringly evident in October 2020 when Nigerian youths took to the streets, demanding the disbandment of the police unit known as SARS, resulting in the #EndSARS hashtag trending at number one globally for several weeks. While the unit was eventually disbanded, this did not bring an end to police brutality.

Headfort Foundation experienced a significant surge in reports of police brutality, extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, both online and offline. This pressing issue prompted the development of the “Lawyers NowNow” App. Conceived as a digital extension of the Lawyers without Border project, the Lawyers NowNow App serves as an inclusive platform, allowing every indigent person to access justice anywhere in Nigeria without discrimination. Available for download on Appstore and Google playstore, the app can also be used on behalf of another person.

The application automatically connects users to the lawyer nearest to their location, facilitating contact via phone calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages. Upon receiving a user's request, the lawyer is notified and commits to attending to the user free of charge. The app since launch in April 2021 has resolved over 360 cases through legal advice, legal service, mediation, and litigation. One major objective of the app is to facilitate access to justice from the roots of the criminal justice system, recognizing that most human rights abuses occur between arrest and the time of legal representation. The app aims to shorten this crucial time frame, ensuring swift and effective legal intervention.