We refused the
invitation because there was no time and other students were as well writing
their exams. But the OAU team wanted us to appear. The only students available
were the 500 level students which happened to be our class set, and our class
set had already passed out. The pressure was so much, so after some
consultations I decided to go for it.
I spoke to some
students, but only a few responded. Timi Azi, Miracle Solomon and Joseph
Ayebanua were the sure bet. But among them, Joseph Ayebanua accepted to work
with me. Others were not available, so I had to look for another person. Somehow,
I met David Alwert, one of the dudes that appeared in the inter-chamber moot
court competition I organized. David agreed to be part of the team.
We had had a three man
team and with the number, we commenced research work forthwith. I divided the
issues amongst us, so that it was easier for us all. It wasn’t that easy
because we had just three days to write the memorials and submit.
Later we got the memorials prepared. I practically took up the duty of arranging the memorials because I had gathered enough experience from other debate competitions and I was damn sure that following the rule to get a good memorial wasn’t an issue.
Three days after, the
memorials were ready. We got them submitted. We approached the school for fund
but there was none. We passed the message to the authority in OAU, but they
were bent on having us around. So they told us that if only we could get to
Osun State, they will pay our transportation back to Bayelsa State. I accepted,
so I had to provide money from my own pocket for the journey.
We journeyed to Ile Ife
at Osun State. We had done no rehearsal because the three days we had was just
for writing the memorial. It was just so tight a quest. But what’s different?
After all, I had worked under bigger pressure. We arrived Osun state and were
picked by the OAU team. We were taken to the Faculty office where we met with
the Faculty president. I was introduced to the president as the outgoing
chairman of the moot and mock trial committee in our school. We were happily welcomed
by the OAU team after the introduction. According to them, the NDU team was
well loved by the OAU faculty because of the relationship already created. I
also met with Peace Onashile, the chairman of OAU team. She was a woman of
substance and very vast in the mooting business.
We stayed at the
president office for a while before we were taken down stairs to their mooting
hall for the picking of slots. The picking was made and we were to meet against
the OAU team.
Again, we were to meet in a moot match. It was
like a revenge match and it was a golden opportunity to prove ourselves. But it
was indeed funny because until then, we had not rehearsed even once, so beating
them was a suicide mission. But we had no choice. We were already in town and
had to do what brought us there. After the counsel and other students introduced
themselves, I proposed the making of a forum for mooters all over Nigeria. The
idea was accepted and I was glad.
Soon, we arrived our
lodge and began rehearsals proper. We
tried doing our best but nothing was forth coming. But we had no choice than to
continue. Owing to the fact that the rehearsal was our first trial, there was
no smooth connection of argument. At a point, Joseph was pissed off, he refused
doing anything. Joseph was hot tempered so there was just no need persuading
him. We didn’t do anything till the day of the competition. We had no good
sleep because we tried rehearsing. In the morning we tried our little best, but
it was still bad for us. David on the other hand had lost hope because our
practice was not yielding any result. Though I was to appear, I had told Joseph
to lead me as first counsel so that the pressure will reduce. I did what I did
because of my past experiences and never wanted any bit of them again.
We arrived the venue.
It was an intense site because we were to meet the host school; the whole wall
was almost filled up. We exchanged pleasantries as we caught site of our
opponents. A thin lady and a young dude had been brought up against us. They
were from a lower class but that wasn’t an issue because advocacy is a skill
that can be possessed by anybody irrespective of the class.
The contest began. We
appeared as plaintiffs first. Joseph argued beautifully well followed by me. Seriously
the performance was a beautiful one. I was quite eloquent and full of smooth
speed. Though there were pauses as questions were entertained, but I was very
balanced answering on points of law and fact. The judge fell in love with my
argument and I was glad. The OAU team did well as well, especially their lead
counsel. She had the dictum of many lords in her head and she was very
persuasive in her arguments. Soon, we went to the second moot hall for the last
match. My performance was also great in the second phase and we were sure we
will do well. The OAU team wasn’t too happy because the indication showed that
we may win.
Minutes after the
results were compiled, the counsel of the OAU team were moody. We then felt
that we had won. So we entered the hall for the results to be announced. The
results were announced and it was clear that our team and the OAU team did not
make it to the finals because our scores were low when compared to the scores
of other schools.
A student from the
University of Benin who happened to be one of the best advocates had won the
award of the best advocate while the Niger Delta University emerged with the
award of the Best MEMORIAL. I was so happy because my prayer had been answered
though in another light. This was my fist national award for my school. I had
broken a record with the NDU team and it was just the beginning for the next
generation.
The University of Benin
and the University of Ilorin had made it to the finals with the University of
Ilorin winning the day. We returned home in excitement with the award as my
gift for the school.
We were applauded for
the feat. For David, he was his luck since we had won our first national award
when he followed us down to Ile Ife for the first time ever.
[Suspense- In next episode, readers will get to know how it all
ended]
STAR ADVOCATE OF THE
EPISODE: Destiny Possible Ogedegbe
He was the best advocate
at the 91 Alumni moot court competition. He has won the award of best advocate
in several moot court competitions. I simply call him a beast.
COMING SOON!!!
HONEY HILL:
Honey Hill is the story of a young girl who lost sight of her mum for many
years, and in quest to search for her mum uncovered many secrets of the past
that hunted her innocent life. It is a story of love, revenge and tears!
Please drop your comments here, I
will really appreciate it!!