Upon gaining admission into the prestigious Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in 2005, we met a different style of school administration, separate and distinct from the secondary school `prefects system’. Here was a style where the students constitute a government, complete with the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. As obtainable in the secular political world, elections were periodic and a presidential system of government was in place. Haba! This is SS3 Govt. in practice.
Through the experience gathered during my stay as a member of the Executive, in various capacities and offices, I can boldly assert that the functionality of the LAWSA state was largely vested on this important arm of the government,(headed by the LAWSA President), which co-ordinated State programs and executed same. Appointments into the judiciary, freshmen’s induction, and the all important LAWSA week activities, which climaxes in the Dinner Night, also served as a measure to determine the performance of each government. The administrative procedures to getting approvals before funds can be expended, was the biggest check. Approved funds must be duly retired, and evidence of same adduced. The cost of running the Secretariat and recurrent expenditure were retired using the petty cash system. Over all, not a kobo left the coffers of the state without the prior notice and express approval of the Staff Adviser. This and other indicators led me to the conclusion that the LAWSA State was at best an administration, not a government, being in lack of the requisite powers of sovereignty, amenable to no other authority, and utmost unto itself.The activities of the Executive arm of the LAWSA government throughout our five year training were constantly topical in the LAWSA State. The checks, coming largely from the LAWSA Congress provided a challenge towards making sure that those activities were people oriented. A classic example occurred in the 2006/2007 session, when the Congress refused to ratify the appointment of the then Chief Judge, Nnaemeka Nwonu. The then President, Ochiora George, re-forwarded his name three times, and three times, the Congress refused to ratify. Those were the days of activism, in the congress which had firebrand members, such as Izuchukwu Umeji and Ifediora Chinyere et al, from this constituency. Other state actions have at various times come under the searchlight of public opinion, as captured by the LAW-PC. Quite commendable also were the enviable strides taken to invite eminent resource persons to educate the young minds of LAWSAns during the annual lecture series. Conspicuous in this direction was the presence of constitutional law guru, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, activist jurist and bencher at the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Eugene Ubaezeonu, eminent silk, Ezejiaku Dr. Ejike Umeh SAN, Mary Uwais, wife of former CJN, Muhammadu Uwais, Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Obiorah JSD, Arthur Obi Okafor Esq., Emeka Etiaba Esq. and recently, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Festus Keyamo Esq..
Internally, communications between the executive and her members was largely direct as the secretariat was inundated with a barrage of visits and calls, demanding explanations on one point or another. The General Assembly was used to keep members updated with the programs and activities of the executive, and absence therefrom was criminal and punishable under the Constitution, and under the inherent criminal jurisdiction of the LAWSA High Court. Worthy of note is the 2004/2005 government of Mazi Udegbulam, which created two additional offices in the executive for freshmen, giving them a sense of belonging, and 2007/2008 government of Ezeobi Udoka, which took the initiative of producing identity cards for law students, the first ever. In another scenario, running the secretariat by the executive is not without its headaches. Filing documents and other important records had to be done despite the absence of filing cabinets. The Air conditioning system in the secretariat, which also was the President’s office, was not working. It took the collective strength of a team to harness lean resources to keep running the government. When the Diploma-Regular dichotomy arose, threatening to tear apart, the very fabrics that held us together, it took interventions by way of press releases and information at the general assembly to counter the effects of the trend set in motion.
Another area where the Executive arm of the LAWSA government played active role was Sports. The former Vice-Chancellor of the University and grand Patron of LAWSA, Ilochi Okafor SAN, sponsored an Annual inter class soccer tournament. The ‘Dean’s Cup’ was a focal point in the social life of LAWSAns. Classes competed with valour to clinch the top prize, though redemption was on negotiable terms. Other tournaments such as the NFCS Cup, never missed a team each year from the Faculty of Law. That the faculty have not brought this cup home is perhaps best left for the Directors of Sports to answer. Away from sports, the yearly LAWSA Nite presents an opportunity for LAWSAns to “be themselves”. Slender legs strutting the runway in a bid to clinch the `Miss LAWSA’ Crown, future Michael Jacksons and Chris Browns, Local MCs and Fancy DJs on the wheels, all make the evening merrier as to forget albeit temporarily, the carryovers and failures. Enter Dance Dance Dance! I mean all night till morning! Somebody tell me there is a Law School Nite, something up there to make up? Prestigious Hotels like Marble Arch Hotels, Ever Royal Suites, and Suncity Exclusive Hotels have at different times, played host to these events. Organizing the Law Dinner was always a challenge. The time taken to select the best of the available service providers, doing the cooking, buying the Drinks, arranging a befitting venue to host the night, getting invited guests to attend, controlling the behaviour of law students before and during the night and putting other aspects of logistics in place. Of course, the LAW-PC board will always present a report dismissing the night as a jamboree.
The Executive arm of LAWSA also started a scheme to organise an essay competition for freshmen, and the winners were rewarded for excellence. The annual LAWSA Awards also served to recognise students who in a way or another distinguished themselves in various categories. The long awaited magazine, “The Advocate” was finally completed and published in 2008/2009. It is hoped that it shall go a long way in informing and educating law students. The yearly cultural day celebrations, served to remind LAWSAns of their cultural heritage. There we see traditional regalias of various makes and designs, while saluting one another with high sounding titles as the new Igwe Nka-na-Uzu of LAWSA is enthroned, amidst pomp and pageantry. Like all good things end, one year quickly comes and goes. There couldn’t be enough time to complete the numerous ideas we conceptualised, hence only a few saw the light of the day. Serving in the executive was both fulfilling and i learnt a lot about politics.
One would have concluded quite enthusiastically that the regime of successive governments led by the executive have always being the bastion of hope, providing direction, had the polity not being bastardised before our very before. Our constituency, the 2005/2006 set was brazenly robbed of our right to form the government in the 2009/2010 session of LAWSA. By the instrumentality of a Faculty Board fiat, the 2008/2009 Congress was foisted with an order to devolve the office of the LAWSA President to the fourth year class. The purported amendment was never debated nor passed in the floor of the house, yet found its way into our dear constitution, in the 2009 Amendment. So here we are scorned and disregarded in the scheme of things, with a fabrication as constitution, not autochthonous in any respect, and manifesting the unfair impositions of our guardians on us, while still purporting to be the grundnorm. That such shame can be recorded in the premier faculty, of law, where we claim the status of ministers in the temple of justice and learned in the laws of justice, fairness, openness and equity is laughable. It is heartbreaking that after receiving lectures on the defence of justice and of our rights, we can still be forced to live under the forced directions of authority that considers not the yearnings of our hearts, to live this system when our turn comes to lead. It is still our choice to make whether to partake in the illegal government just returned in the December 8th elections, by anchoring the Judiciary. But whatever it is that we decide to do, let it be known that in our heart of hearts lies a solemn disappointment, at those responsible, an anger that due process and rationality could be so cheaply ditched in this age and time. I weep for this State, no longer a LAWSA of our dreams.
However it goes, it gladdens my heart to know that for five solid years, we have kept the faith. Striving through thick and thin to hold our heads high above the waters. Through Logic and Legal Method, Constitutional Law and Procedures, Commercial and Criminal, Evidence, Land, Equity, and Company, coupled with the almighty Jurisprudence, all of them. On a personal level, i relish with fulfilment my first task of telling LAWSAns, whom I barely knew at the time, why they must vote me as their Deputy Director of Socials, in the 2004/2005 elections oration session. Having to strip bare in the school security office four times at different times between 2004 and 2009. Let me thank you all, the fine girls and cool guys of my class, for voting to send me and others to the 2006 Congress. We sure gave our best to advance constitutionality in LAWSA. When I went back to the Executive as Director of Socials in 2007, it was most challenging to be left bare, without allocation to organise the LAWSA night. I thank God for being the lamp post that marked our path while we showed our abilities through active participation in the politics of LAWSA, because the school must pass; through us, providence saw us through. Now that we have come to the finishing line, i join my grateful friends to give God the glory, for he has not allowed one of the flock, to go astray. He even added unto us tenfold more than we deserved. Now bound for Law School, with expectations and hopes high, whether at Abuja, Lagos, Enugu or Kano, we have conquered!.
This is my account of stay in the Faculty of Law, in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, acclaimed second best in the whole length and breadth of Nigeria. My sojourn and experience in the Executive arm of the State called LAWSA. My interactions with friends for five years, while persevering under the tutelage of Masters and Doctors of the Laws. Assignments, Quizzes, tutorials, 2 ½ hours exams, where you must cite 40 cases to earn a good grade, and the gruelling long wait for our results. Senior counsels and my Lords and their Excellencies, the reverend gentlemen who learnt to be ministers of God first, before justice, course reps and assistants, law week and social committees. As i drop my pen, not out of tiredness from writing this piece, for i could go on and on, but because i must abate, let me thank them, Jerry Okeke for being there and understanding, Sir Obikwelu, for his openness and numerous acts of generosity, Mosaino’ for bearing the weight of being my friend, and for putting laughter in our faces, Anty Chioma for giving her rare asset, when nobody would, just to run an errand, Anty Loretta, for supporting my leadership ambitions, and other hommies, Dino, Seko, Endeavour, Emperor, Peritus. And to all the babes, who showed love.
I am off to Law School, and there’s nothing any one can do about it, when i get there and meet them quoting the sections without looking back, i shall send for papa udo, if they read 20 hours a day, and report all the cases even those not yet delivered i shall dare them to try Ngumoha, if it they pray every day in church, quickly, Chinecherem and Evans i shall summon to the rescue, and if they claim we are not Godly enough, Reverends Titus and Patrick shall avail me. But if i find them too beautiful, aaahh...i have Chisom’s, Amara’s, Judith’s, Ogoo’s, Lota’s numbers!. If they are too tall, Alex, Philip, Samuel, Peace and Lota i am sure shall humble them. So i say once again, i am ready and going to the Law School! By the way as i was typing this piece, my brother called with good news, he just graduated from EBSU! So what the heck? SOMEBODY POP DA CHAMPAAAGNE!!!!!
Izuchukwu D. Umeji, was formerly,
Deputy Director of Socials 2005/2006 and won the year’s Most Outstanding Fresher Award (male).
Congressman 2006/2007,
Director of Socials, 2007/2008.
Adviser to the LAWSA Social Committee 2008/2009, and
Received the honorary rank of Senior Advocate of Lawsa, SAL. 2008/2009.
Being the full version of the article submitted to the final year album commitee, Faculty of law, NAU- Awka.
