How our students stole the show at ECOWAS Moot Court competition – ABU Law Faculty
The Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, has further highlighted the strength of its three exceptionally talented 400 level students who stole the show at the maiden edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moot Court Competition that was held at Zuma Rock Resorts in Niger State last week.
The students, namely, Auwal Abdulmuhyi Adam, Mu’azu Farida Sani and Keulere Nabil Olarewaju, demonstrated remarkable legal knowledge, composure, and eloquence in the semi-finals, securing a place in the grand finale of the competition.
Ahmadu Bello University won the top cash prize of five million Naira at the just-concluded competition, besides the ‘Best Memorial Award’ clinched by the students which also came with a one million Naira cash prize.
The competition began with 17 universities that were graded based on their submitted briefs. Ahmadu Bello University was among the eight top universities selected for the oral rounds.
Giving an insight into the competition and the team’s outstanding performance, the Assistant Dean, Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Umar Sani Bebeji, who guided the students to victory, explained that the competition centred around a hypothetical case involving the ‘Republic of Waterwood’, where the applicant alleged gross human rights violations and breaches of international obligations by the respondent.
Bebeji, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Commercial Law, also said participants were required to prepare and submit written memorials – comprehensive legal arguments – on behalf of both the applicant (the party initiating the case) and the respondent (the Republic of Waterwood being sued).
According to him, a memorial is a formal written legal submission that cites relevant laws and authorities, with the aim of persuading the court to decide in favour of the submitting party.
The Faculty Advisor to the team also explained that the team from the university submitted highly detailed and well-argued memorials for both parties and that the students’ outstanding performance in the memorial stage secured them a place in the oral rounds of the competition.
Dr. Bebeji acknowledged the team’s excellent advocacy skills and convincing arguments for both the applicant and the respondent.
He said, for instance, the first speaker and team lead, Auwal Abdulmuhyi Adam, eloquently addressed the issues of jurisdiction, admissibility, and the violation of international obligations by the Republic of Waterwood under the ECOWAS Protocols on Democracy and Good Governance, particularly in relation to its unconstitutional amendment of the national constitution three months before the general elections.
Bebeji said the second speaker, Mu’azu Fari Sani, presented a compelling argument addressing gross human rights violations committed by the Republic of Waterwood by citing relevant international legal instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The team’s outstanding achievement, according to him, was a testament to the collective dedication, synergy, and brilliance of the students – Auwal Abdulmuhyi and Mu’azu Farida Sani who served as oralists, and Keulere Nabil Olarewaju as researcher.
While congratulating the team, the Faculty, and the University as a whole on the feat, Dr. Bebeji further said the victory highlighted the strength of the legal education at Ahmadu Bello University and the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and professional preparedness.
The historic win was achieved under the leadership of the President of Law Students’ Society, Bilal Umar Zambuk, and Attorney General, Hafsat Tukur, whose support and cooperation were instrumental to the team’s success.
The newly introduced ECOWAS Court of Justice Moot Court Competition is meant to educate young lawyers and create awareness on the activities of the West African regional bloc. It is also meant to build the capacity of young lawyers and prepare them for the task ahead.
The competition, themed around regional integration and human rights, showcased students advocacy and legal reasoning. ECOWAS court officials praised the initiative and announced it would become an annual event.
………………..
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(NAM)
Wednesday, 18th June, 2025
