How NDU Students Turned Sleepless Nights Into NDDC Moot Competition Victory
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA – For three young law students of Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa State, the road to winning the 5th Edition of the NDDC Moot and Mock Competition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was paved with pressure, sleepless nights and relentless preparation.
The students, who represented the university at the highly contested competition, had to dig deep into their legal knowledge and courtroom skills before eventually emerging as the overall winners.
The NDU team comprised Emmanuel Chukwuka, Bright Pius, who led the team, and Ebilabo Ariye.
For Chukwuka, the experience was both intellectually demanding and emotionally intense.
Reflecting on the competition, he said he was “more tensed than I had ever been all my life”, describing the contest as one that tested not only their knowledge of the law but also their ability to remain composed under pressure.
One of the major challenges confronting the team was the requirement to represent opposing parties at different stages of the competition.
At the qualifiers, the NDU team represented the Defendant, while in the finals, they represented the opposing party, which became the Respondent and Cross-Appellant on appeal.
In effect, the students had to develop and present convincing legal arguments for two opposing sides within a space of just two days.
Despite the demanding nature of the exercise, the NDU team distinguished itself at the qualifying stage, emerging as the highest-scoring team with 95 points among about 18 participating schools.
The impressive performance secured their place in the finals.
However, the qualification came with little opportunity for rest.
The final stage was an appeal, requiring the students to prepare their legal processes, refine their arguments and anticipate possible questions from the court.
The team worked late into the night, preparing their submissions and strengthening their case.
They also filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Court.
With the preparations completed, the students eventually entered the courtroom to put their work to the test.
Their performance earned them the highest score in the competition, as Niger Delta University emerged Overall Winner of the 5th NDDC Moot and Mock Competition.
The achievement was further enhanced when Ebilabo Ariye was announced as the Best Counsel of the competition.
For Chukwuka, the victory represented more than an academic achievement.
It was the fulfilment of a dream he had nurtured since his 200 level.
He described the moment as a particularly proud one, noting that he had prayed for such an opportunity and was grateful to have witnessed its fulfilment.
The students attributed much of their success to their coach, Dr. D. D. Fiderikumo, whose guidance, corrections and intellectual investment played a significant role in their preparation.
According to Chukwuka, the coach challenged the students, prepared them for every stage of the competition and helped sharpen their arguments.
The team also acknowledged the contributions of colleagues who worked with them behind the scenes, stressing that the victory was the product of teamwork and collective effort.
The students expressed appreciation to the organisers of the competition for providing a platform through which young advocates could learn, compete and develop their courtroom skills.
They also thanked the management of Niger Delta University for entrusting them with the responsibility of representing the institution.
Beyond the trophy, the NDU victory has offered the young advocates an experience that could prove invaluable as they progress in their legal careers.
Their journey from anxious preparation to courtroom triumph has also demonstrated the importance of mentorship, teamwork and perseverance in the development of young professionals.
For Chukwuka and his teammates, the Port Harcourt experience will remain a defining chapter of their university years — a chapter in which fear was confronted, preparation was tested and a long-held dream finally became reality.
