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Law students have been advised to prioritise the development of strong advocacy and critical analytical skills in order to excel as advocates in the legal profession, according to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Lukman Fagbemi.
It was noted by the legal practitioner that such skills could be developed through participation in mock trials, continuous practice, research, and mentorship, adding that this would enhance students’ confidence and better prepare them for the complexities of legal practice.
Fagbemi gave the advice at the grand finale of the maiden Moot and Mock Competition organised in his honour by the Law Students’ Society (LSS), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in collaboration with Lukman O. Fagbemi & Co. (Rahmah Chambers).
He described the competition as a valuable platform that provides students with practical exposure and strengthens their courtroom competence.
About 20 universities across Nigeria, including the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Benin (UNIBEN), and the host institution, UNILORIN, participated in the competition.
The competition featured multiple stages, including a primary memorial-writing phase, a debate and quiz competition, and a mock trial that was presided over by Magistrate Gbenga Abdullah of the Magistrate Court, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Speaking at the grand finale, the president of UNILORIN LSS, Ibraheem Abdulrasheed, said the competition was conceived to help aspiring lawyers develop strong advocacy skills and to provide a practical platform where students can engage with real-life legal scenarios.
According to him, the competition also reflects the commitment of the LSS and the honouree to raising a new generation of lawyers who are not only academically grounded but also courtroom-ready.
At the end of the finals, UNILORIN emerged as champions, Crescent University came second, UNIBEN placed third, and Osun State University finished fourth. The winners received cash prizes of N700,000, N500,000, N400,000, and N300,000, respectively. Individual participants and teams were also presented with various awards.
Earlier in his address, David Ogundipe, Lead Partner at Earnest Attorneys LP, emphasised the need for every aspiring lawyer to continuously hone their advocacy skills, remain prepared at all times, and uphold integrity in all their professional engagements.
Ogundipe, who is also an alumnus of UNILORIN, noted that “the legal profession demands diligence, discipline, and a commitment to lifelong learning,” adding that young lawyers must cultivate these qualities early in their careers.
The honoree, Fagbemi, appreciated the LSS for organising the moot and mock competition in his honour, noting that such initiatives help bridge the gap between theory and practice for aspiring lawyers.
Fagbemi, who served as LSS President during the 2007/08 academic session, pledged continued support to ensure the competition holds annually, describing it as part of his efforts to give back to the Faculty of Law, which he said shaped his legal career.
