Ogechi Ifezie is a First Class graduate of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria (UNN) for the 2023-2024 session. She finished with a cumulative grade point average of 4.75 on a scale of 5.0. In this interview, she speaks about her academic journey and issues bordering the Nigerian legal system.
Tell us about your secondary school experience and how it prepared you for the university.
I had a very diverse secondary school experience: I attended three different schools – Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos; Dominican College, Oshodi, Lagos; and Holy Child Secondary School, Isuofia, Anambra State. My most vivid secondary school experience was at Holy Child Secondary School where I completed my senior secondary education. There, I learnt that being a leader meant having responsibilities, and this influenced my ideology at the university. Within two months of resuming school as a transfer student, I was appointed the Regulator in SS1 and the Deputy Senior Prefect in SS2. These positions taught me time management, which in a way, prepared me for university.
What inspired you to study law? Why choose to study it at the University of Nigeria (UNN)?
Growing up, I was always fascinated with lawyers on television wearing a wig and gown, and saying, “Objection, my Lord!” in court. But this wasn’t what convinced me to study law. My teachers and schoolmates encouraged me to study medicine and surgery because I was considered ‘brilliant’ at the time. However, I knew that wasn’t for me. One day, I witnessed an injustice done to a friend by relatives, and my interest in law was ignited — specifically, how to utilise the law to attain justice. This was the inspiration I needed.
Why UNN? Well, at the time, I received advice from my parents and teacher who recommended that I attend the University of Nigeria because of its high academic prestige, and I didn’t object. UNN met and exceeded my expectations in every aspect: education, tutelage, support and stress (yes, studying law at UNN was challenging). I am grateful for the experience because UNN prepared me for the theoretical and practical aspects of life after university.
What aspects of law interest you more and why?
Law is interrelated, and it’s always great to be knowledgeable on various areas of law. I personally developed an interest in human rights, environmental law, and commercial law. Being a defender of human rights was the major driving force behind my decision to study law, and it hasn’t changed.
I gained interest in environmental law in my 300 level when I joined The Greener Picture (TGP), an environmental awareness club that advocates sustainability. My interest is how laws can ensure environmental responsibility/protection. When I became the president of TGP, my passion deepened. I learnt more about environmental sustainability, which also influenced my undergraduate thesis.
Tell us about your first moot court experience.
My first moot court experience was in 200 level when I appeared as a counsel for Gret Chambers. We represented the 1st defendant in a suit that bordered on torts (negligence). The case was about a student who unknowingly drank an opened zobo drink in a school canteen and fell ill, which prompted her mother to sue the school (1st defendant) for negligence. I remember that I was so nervous, and to avoid making mistakes, I memorised my entire argument, including the case citation and recited them word for word in court. I now know better. To effectively adumbrate, you should understand the law and apply it to the facts, rather than ‘cramming’ the argument itself. We didn’t lose the case — we came second and proceeded to the next round of the competition. That experience was eye-opening and I was happy I participated in the moot experience.
What was the title of your final-year project and what were the major findings from it?
The title of my final=year project was ‘The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Environmental Protection in Nigeria’.
It examined how corporate bodies contribute to environmental degradation and how laws can be utilised to prevent pollution through mandating CSR on environmental responsibility. I found that CSR plays a major role in environmental protection as the majority of pollution is caused by corporations. Thus, mandating companies to comply with environmental laws in conducting their activities would ensure a healthy environment. I recommended that laws should require body corporates to comply with environmental obligations by incorporating CSR into their financial obligations. Also, Nigeria should enact CSR laws and make non-compliance with CSR litigious to reduce the risks of deterrence by corporations.
In your LinkedIn post, you stated that your academic journey was “one of resilience, learning and grit, and I am pleased to have made the most of it.” Tell us about the resilience part and how you made the most of the journey.
My academic journey started on a rocky note. I resumed very late in 2018 and struggled to understand anything taught. I would spend hours trying, sometimes failing, to understand one topic. Regardless, I didn’t give up. I was determined to do well regardless of how difficult it appeared and even went the extra mile many times. This required resilience and grit. Sometimes, I had financial and academic challenges, but I always found solace in God. Balancing my academics with various leadership positions stretched me, but I withstood the tides and succeeded. Despite the hard times, I — like they say — came, saw and conquered.
You held many leadership positions while a law student. How were you able to manage your studies and leadership endeavours?
I managed my studies with extracurricular activities through strict time management. I always worked with a timetable to streamline tasks effectively, and applying the Eisenhower Matrix helped me prioritise important activities. Most importantly, I knew myself and my capabilities. So, I worked in line with that.
My most enjoyable leadership role was serving as the Founding President of the International Law Students Association (ILSA) UNN. Why? I got to create something beautiful, nurture it, and watch it grow exponentially. This role was very tasking, but with the right persons in my team, we accomplished numerous feats for the student community and set a strong foundation for the association.
What are the things you think the Faculty of Law at your university could improve on to make life and studies easier for students and staff?
The Faculty of Law did its best for the students, and I must commend them. However, a major challenge was the fast-paced timetables. I remember completing two sessions in one year, and the impact it had on my mental health was devastating. Students need time to study, and where this is absent, assimilation may prove difficult. I believe that streamlining the timetable so it’s evenly paced would improve students’ productivity. This would give students much-needed time to study and maximise holidays to improve themselves through internships. This would make life and studies easier and more conducive for the students.
A country is as good or bad as its legal system. As someone familiar with the Nigerian legal system, if you were to recommend three things that would strengthen the Nigerian legal system and help make the country a better place than it currently is now, what would they be?
Holding leaders more accountable by making Chapter II of the Constitution justiciable: When leaders can be sued for failing to provide basic necessities like education, there will be an improvement in law enforcement which would make Nigeria a better place.
Building a more accessible judiciary: The judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Where the common man cannot access the courts, where then do they turn to? A more accessible judiciary would strengthen the grassroots application of laws, thereby improving the Nigerian legal system.
Strict enforcement of laws: An unenforced law has been likened to a toothless bulldog. Nigeria has abundant laws, which if enforced, would strengthen our legal system.
You mentioned that you are preparing for the Nigerian Law School. What are your expectations of law school? Do you think you can achieve the kind of feat you achieved at UNN at the law school?
Currently, I haven’t been posted yet. However, I did apply to be posted to the Lagos or Port-Harcourt Campus. I look forward to meeting new people and hope I have a great experience. I expect law school to be tough but enlightening. Nevertheless, I’m determined to make the most out of it regardless of which campus I’m posted to.
I think it’s a bit early to say whether or not I can achieve a huge feat (first class) at law school. What I do know is that I will give law school my utmost best, and hope for the best by God’s grace.
After law school, every fresh lawyer has a vision and dreams of what they want to do with their law training. What is the unique thing you want to do with your legal training and why?
After law school, I hope to provide improved access to justice among underprivileged persons by providing free legal services to victims of injustice. This is one of the reasons I founded The SAGES Project. Recall I mentioned that my friend was a victim of injustice. This is the situation for many Nigerians, and I hope to bridge the gap in access to justice for citizens.
What is your advice to law students aspiring to achieve the academic feat you achieved?
I have a couple. Always do your utmost best. Strive to achieve the highest accolades, and be unapologetically committed to excellence. Know yourself and walk your path at your own pace. Seek guidance and/or mentorship from professionals where necessary — it would make your academic journey transformative and expansive. Most importantly, always put God first
SOURCE: TRIBUNE
