I
wondered how I had made it thus far. I was the stammering one; the one with the
bad tongue. There was just no how I could beat it, I thought. But chance booked
me a place in the last three, and so there was nothing left to wish than to get
that frightened face wear something normal. I knew that was the thought of
others as well.
“Ebi
Robert”, so my name was called.
Many
things were said about me, one of which was my confidence and of course
persuasiveness. It was a criterion among many, and I was happy to have had it
in full. Many other qualities were not lacking, at least, in good measures, but
they were not enough to take me through.
I had been knocked out. Epidi and Sheila both
made it through. I felt a great pain in me. I couldn’t hide it and Epidi
himself knew it. I wanted to give the development as a good news to my mum who
had seen me through ever since. But that didn’t happen.
Many
persons congratulated me that I did well. That was my encouragement. So I was
spurred to do more.
Soon,
the Inter-Chamber Moot Court Competition began. We had already been called to
the school bar, and so eligible to appear in the preliminary stage. Our Chamber
Co-coordinator was Hezekiah Ozungu, one of the smartest lawyers I have ever
seen and known. With the necessary coaching from him, I was set for the
internal round. I contested and was picked to represent my chamber in the competition.
Though I wasn’t the first on the log, I was chosen as the lead-counsel to
represent my chambers alongside Miracle Solomon and Azi Imomotimi. They were
among the best at that time. Both had the voice, knowledge of the law and logic,
and with them, we had the team of glassful advocates. Sure, the three of us
were with classes. It was Ozungu’s idea. He believed that glasses catch the
attention of the judges.
Our
first match was against the Daniel Ekpasco led team. The team was a team of seniors which
reasonably means they had an edge over us because we were just two hundred
level students. But we were bold; after all we had done the needed practice and
studying. We met our opponents; they were formidable. We argued it out against
them. I spoke first from our end, and returned yet again for the rebuttal. The
opposite team had fallen into a trap set already. Yes, they did. A kind of reasoning
from the law was all it takes to create such trap, and I had that, done
already. The hypothetical case facts bothered on areas of Company Law.
Principles like the ultra vires
principles were part of the matter. The digestion was done and so we were
equipped already.
I
spoke in my speedy and steady manner as usual. As conventional, I was
interrogated on the journey of advocacy. Some of the questions were answered
while others were not. Logic had its place to a large extent, but logic failed
me before the female umpire who was robed as a brain box from Chancery. Ozungu
shouted in a mockery manner after I had given a wrong answer to a question
asked. Somehow I saw that aspect before mounting the podium, but my
stubbornness defeated me, so I dodged it and it told on me. But there was a
good chance, my team members did excellently well, so our chances were high.
Ogunka
Hope argued as well against another team. Theirs was the second match. Agbada
Stephen Agbada led the team but they lost their match to the John Chris’ team headed
by Ebitari Ugo.
After
a break, the results were announced with our team also proceeding to the
finals. The Kate Abiri chamber had proceeded to the finals. Kate Abiri Chambers
was our chamber. We were so happy to have made it. The next step was to know
what party we were, whether as plaintiffs or defendants. A lot was cast and lo,
we were to speak opposite what we initially spoke at the first round. Thus, we
had no other choice than to prepare a new memorandum. It was indeed stressful, but
worth it. Throughout the night to daybreak, we were busy writing the brief. We
got prepared for the day after many preparations.
The
final was to be held at the banquet hall, Government House, Bayelsa State. The
special adviser to the then Governor of the state on legal matters was the
presiding judge alongside the former female umpire who sat at the first competition,
as supporting judge. I had learnt from my previous errors and so cannot think
of making such again. I composed myself before the judges, and marshaled out my
points as I knew them. I was confident, for my siblings and well wishers were
present. I argued beautifully and sat down and then it was Miracle’s turn. I
cannot tell what exactly happened, but for all I knew, he broke down; I mean,
his voice ceased. I guess he had some medical issues. I can’t really say. But
he wasn’t himself. Invariably he didn’t argue up to 40% of what he had to argue
as case. I felt it was doom for our team that was already a short one. But who
considers that? The match must continue.
The
able John Chris presented himself and argued as well, followed by Joseph
Ayebanua, one of the best advocates of our time as well. They were pretty engaging
and I was sure it was a tough contest. But who was to win was the question that
lingered in my mind. Minutes after, all counsel had finished arguing and result
was prepared. I guess you know who will win? Isn’t it obvious?
STAR
ADVOCATE OF THE EPISODE- JOSEPH AYEBANUA
What
can I say? He was one of the best if not the best at my time. No one talks of mooting
without mentioning his name. The father of Logic and Sharp voice; bold like a
bow and High like a Hill. He won almost all his matches back then in school. He
will be missed in NDU.
[Suspense- in next episode, readers will get to know who won the
match]