This exploratory study examined the challenges encountered by a high number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) in the context of the low utilisation of the free services of legal aid council in Agodi prison Ibadan, Oyo State. Max Weber’s Life chances theory was used as the theoretical framework. Survey-Questionnaire was administered on 188 sampled ATIs and 144 prison warders. This was complemented with key informant interviews with10 officers of the legal aid council and some structured observation sessions. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, while the qualitative data was analysed using manual content analysis involving narrative analysis and verbatim quotations. Over 93% of the respondents attributed the high number of awaiting trial inmates in Agodi prison to missing case files, inability of ATIs to pay their bail or provide a surety; Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) delay in advising the police on cases to prosecute and police inability to promptly prosecute and investigate cases. Inability to procure the service of a private counsel, type of offence committed and availability of legal aid counsel are some of the factors underlying utilization of legal aid counsel. It was found that there is a significant relationship between the type of crime committed and by and the time ATIs have spent in the prison. To improve the utilization of legal aid council by ATIs in Agodi prison there is need for massive personnel recruitment of legal aid council, adequate logistics should be provided for the legal aid council, Police in conjunction with the DPP should be prompt in investigation.

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Economic activities were yet to pick up following the devastating effects of Covid-19 pandemic on stock market in Nigeria. Major cities were on complete lockdown for months leading to another phase of stock market crisis in 2021. This study explored Covid-19 stock market experiences and local investors’ investment decisions in Lagos, Nigeria. Organic theory of Emile Durkheim was adopted as framework, whereas exploratory design was employed. The study utilized purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, using purely qualitative research instruments with a sample of thirty-six (36) interviewees. Thirty in-depth interviews (IDI) and six key informants (KII), two each were purposively selected from staff of Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Stockbrokers from Lagos State based on their in-depth professional knowledge about stock market operations. The qualitative data were content analyzed. 55.6% were men and 58.3% were married. The result of the study showed that local investors’ Covid-19 stock market experiences have greatly affected their present investment decisions. There is need for restoration of investors’ confidence in the Nigerian stock market.

Economic activities were yet to pick up following the devastating effects of Covid-19 pandemic on stock market in Nigeria. Major cities were on complete lockdown for months leading to another phase of stock market crisis in 2021. This study explored Covid-19 stock market experiences and local investors’ investment decisions in Lagos, Nigeria. Organic theory of Emile Durkheim was adopted as framework, whereas exploratory design was employed. The study utilized purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, using purely qualitative research instruments with a sample of fifty-three (53) interviewees. Forty In-depth interviews (IDI), four Case Studies and nine Key informants (KII), three each were purposively selected from staff of Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Stockbrokers in Lagos State based on their in-depth professional knowledge about stock market operations. The qualitative data were content analyzed. The result of the study showed that local investors’ Covid-19 stock market experiences have greatly affected their present investment decisions, hence local investors’ investment apathy currently affecting the Nigerian stock market. There is need for restoration of investors’ confidence in the Nigerian stock market.