The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has emerged as the champion of the maiden edition of the Moot and Mock Competition, which was organised by its Law Students' Society (LSS) in collaboration with Lukman O. Fagbemi & Co. (Rahmah Chambers).

The competition saw participation from approximately 20 universities across Nigeria, including the Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, and University of Benin, providing a practical platform for students to engage with real-life legal scenarios.

Speaking during the grand finale of the event, the President of UNILORIN LSS, Ibraheem Abdulrasheed, said that the winners received cash prizes of N700,000, N500,000, N400,000, and N300,000 respectively, adding that individual participants and teams were also recognised with various awards.

The LSS president said that 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.

He said that the competition was held in honour of Prince Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, an alumnus of UNILORIN and President of the LSS during the 2007/2008 academic session.

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.

Following an anonymous review of memorials submitted by teams representing each of the participating universities by selected judges, UNIBEN, which emerged as the school with the best-written memorial, and three other institutions made it to the semifinals.

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.

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.

In his remarks, the honouree, Prince Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, 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.

He described the competition as a valuable platform that equips students with practical exposure and strengthens their courtroom competence.

Fagbemi further pledged his continued support to ensure that the competition holds annually as proposed by the organisers, stating that this commitment forms part of his efforts to give back to the faculty, which he said, shaped his legal career.

The event was graced by Professor Muritala Sambo, a professor of Constitutional Law, who represented the Dean of Faculty of Law, UNILORIN, Professor Bashir Omipidan, as well as other lecturers, friends, and colleagues of the honouree.