Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile‑Ife, Osun State, has emerged champion of the maiden Streamsowers & Köhn National Moot Court Competition, securing the national title and producing the competition’s overall Best Student Advocate.
The grand finale, held in Lagos as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the law firm Streamsowers & Köhn, showcased the depth of advocacy skills and legal reasoning among Nigerian university law students.
After a rigorous written memorial stage, OAU and Bayero University, Kano (BUK) advanced to the final oral advocacy round. Participants argued a mock case before a distinguished panel of judges, simulating real courtroom proceedings.
At the conclusion, OAU was declared overall winner, while its lead counsel, Ase Hephzibah, received the award for Best Student Advocate. Other finalists included the University of Abuja, University of Lagos (UNILAG), and University of Calabar (UNICAL).
According to Modupeola Olusoga, Chief Operating Officer of the firm, the competition was conceived as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to commemorate two decades of legal practice. She explained that the firm deliberately chose a project that would leave a lasting impact on legal education rather than limiting its anniversary to social activities.
“We wanted a platform where students could showcase their learning and advocacy in a setting that mirrors real court experience. While moot courts exist in universities, they often differ from actual courtroom practice,” Olusoga noted.
The competition attracted entries from 17 universities, screened by independent assessors, before five schools qualified for the finals.
Also speaking, Vincent Owhor, a partner at Streamsowers & Köhn, emphasized that the initiative was designed to expose law students to areas of practice beyond conventional litigation, strengthening their advocacy and analytical skills.
“For students who have not yet studied procedural law to perform at this level was impressive. Their advocacy skills and quality of arguments exceeded expectations,” he said.
Best Advocate Ase Hephzibah described the recognition as humbling and challenging, attributing her success to preparation, teamwork, mentorship, and family support. She commended the firm for exposing participants to specialised fields such as aviation law, labour law, and other niche areas rarely encountered in undergraduate studies.
“This competition broadened our perspective of the legal profession and inspired many of us to explore new career paths,” she said.
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