The "sui generis" End OF Year Party!

While officially (on paper) the University of Benin was supposed to shut down for the year on Monday 21st December, 2015, however in reality the school closed "unofficially" on Friday 18th December, 2015. 

Now for the first time in a while, law students across all levels decided to celebrate the end of the year in various ways, some did so via a football game, some just settled for selfies, others decided to use the opportunity to visit the state High Court, etc
Different strokes for different folks, you'd say! But worthy of note for us is how the 300level Class (aka Sui Generis Constitutency) decided to celebrate and the grand style in which they so did!

The party surprisingly was kept on a low key, until the last week of the proposed date. How this was possible considering the (community) size of the faculty is hard to fathom but so it was. By Wednesday, news had already filtered into some itchy ears, of the proposed end of year bash and how it was an event "open" to all!

The proposed venue was the famous "Ohonba House" located along the Ugbowo-Lagos road. It's necessary to state that, how this constituency was able to pull this off especially without collecting a dime from anyone is something that's not only worthy of emulation but also too of investigation. The reason (one from the many reasons) is that, several times we've seen the association (LAWSA) try to pull off something similar to this, probably a dinner or some other event and despite the substantial sum attendees are made to cough out, you'll find out too often that it's almost never up to the expected standard! 

But then back to the party, it was billed to start by 6pm, terminating with the break of dawn, but as expected the event did not start till 8pm, when it finally did, the turn out was tumultuous especially considering the fact that at the same time, "Epitome" a sold out T.G Banks dance show was going on at hall two car park and another party at hall 5, all simultaneously. Still dignitaries across all levels in the faculty and even those not in the faculty graced the occasion, apparently everybody was in the mood to 'turn up'

The night saw myriads of entertainers of all sorts gracing the event, from various musical artistes to "rib cracking" comedians making it an engrossing and fascinating one!
Refreshments were in no short supply either, for the organizers provided sauced beef, canned drinks for "all and sundry" and then the with amount of wine going round, one could swear that jesus was present in the flesh and was pulling one of his usual tricks behind the scenes! 

There were contests and games of various types and forms, from legal maxims to legal demystification, a "mind blowing" jazz solo instrumental,devil's number, dance amongst many others!

"The event was indeed a worthwhile moment of frolic gaiety and abundant merriments, it doubled as an opportunity for the "Sui Generis" constituency to thank God for the gift of life and for keeping them all from the beginning of the year till the very end, all the more so, seeing that this is the festive season and also too to implore his grace as the new year elegantly approaches.
Aside this, it was a prime yet rare avenue to bring law students together on the table of brotherhood by providing an opportunity that refreshes, guarantees unity & excitement all at the same time!

ULP took the time out to speak with the class representative of 300level, Mr Nelson and this was what he had to say - 
"Well, we thank God for the success of the event! I made known my plan for the event on Monday14th of December  and with the support of God Almighty and my entire learning colleagues, it became a reality on Friday 18th of December... I'm one that understands very well the rigorous duty of a responsible class rep, thus I had to quickly set up an organizing committee, which comprised of members like - Daniel Asikpata, Mariam Ipogha, Tony, Beatrice Kowei, Joy, Faith Nkennor, Mr.Oc and of course Jennifer Aliu.I equally "chairman-ed" the committee because the time frame was really a short one if I may use that word.
Together we sought the financial support of some persons, but because the time frame was a little bit tight, response was not really that encouraging, thus we had to tasked ourselves for voluntary donations and I personally, had to fill some of the lacuna, I mean financially, so as to ensure a flawless event.
However persons like Hon.Ohonba, Mr Iyamu Marvis and many others too, stood out with their support and honestly, they made the event a colorful one. However, I'm promising you that come next year with God sparing our lives, its going to be an uncommon magical moment for all and sundry...
This is why we are Sui Generis, a unique class of its own kind, so Faculty of Law better be ready!"


ULP wants to use this medium to appreciate the entire "sui generis" constituency for their hospitality and for been so accommodating too, it's our belief that the association will borrow a leaf from them and give Lawsans an event that's up to this standard and who knows? Probably "free" too!




Report by Nelson & gafar

"Police Beat Up President"

UNIBEN SUG President, Raymond Omorogbe Assaulted by Police. 





There was pandemonium in the late hours of Thursday, 17th December at the Amino Kano hostel (Hall 3), University of Benin.

It all started when news filtered in that the President of the Student Union Government, University of Benin,(SUG UNIBEN) Comrade Raymond Omorogbe, was assaulted by policemen at the Ugbowo Police Station, located around the school environs, while attempting to secure the bail of a UNIBEN student who had earlier been arrested by the police.

While it could not be ascertained what the offence of the detained student was, or the circumstances that culminated with the assault on the President, some of the residents of Hall 3 were visibly shocked and angry on hearing of the incident.
One of the boys who was calm enough to speak with ULP reporters remarked, "Police have started again,  first of all they arrested one of our own and in turn slapped our President whose intention was to bail him out. Why do they keep doing this to students? Why? This rubbish must stop".
Another bared out his feelings thus: "now this is bad, because it's the President that is why we're hearing about it. In fact what is it with Police and students? That's how Osifo (former SUG President 2012/2013) was slapped then by Police and the Dean of Students had to step in to placate students when they were on their way to protest that injustice, now its Raymond they have slapped. This is becoming a routine".
In an outburst another angry student stated:  "this is unacceptable, President Raymond that we voted massively for, the same Raymond that led us on a peaceful protest with regards to the unsafe nature of the Ugbowo-Lagos road path at main gate that claimed the life of one of our students, he was the one that agitated for renovation of the hostels which is still ongoing, now in performance of his goodwill (securing bail of a detained student), Police now decided to assault him, decided to shame all UNIBEN students, and they think we will keep quiet, they think we are fools?


Confirming the incident, Osayuki King, the Attorney General of the Union spoke with ULP reporters...
"Yes, the president was assaulted, he was assaulted in the course of trying to bail someone, alleged to be a student of UNIBEN, however, the commissioner of police, Edo state,  was also briefed of the issue on ground and eventually, the matter was handled diplomatically and it was all settled amicably. 
The police officer in question has been placed in a cell since the incident, he was released only yesterday. Also, he would be transferred and most likely demoted"

An aide of the SUG who pleaded anonymity also confirmed the incident. He relayed to ULP that the SUG President was truly assaulted on thursday, in the course of trying to secure the bail a of student.
However on Friday morning, the Attorney General, the Secretary General, the President himself and other top SUG officials in full force, were at the Ugbowo police station. He remarked that the assault on the President was indirectly an assault on the Student Union Government which is of course every UNIBEN student. Rather than follow the 'rule of thumb', they decided to follow the course of peace and amicable settlement. He asserted that the DPO has apologized for the ugly incident and the officer who committed the assault had already been put in a prison cell, he will be sanctioned, transferred and probably even be demoted. Another officer linked to the incident also has been locked up and will be dealt with accordingly.
He also said that some of their demands were met, and others that where not, they decided to let go. "We could have pressed for damages to be paid as a result of the assault, for example, the repair of the phone screen which was damaged, and other things. Nevertheless, the SUG of the University of Benin and the police have always had a cordial relationship. There are times when students have been arrested and the SUG got them out for free (even times when they were culpable), so we don't want to press now for things and later, if and when such a situation arises and we have to get a student out, then the Police (remembering this incident) insist also on full enforcement".  
He assured that "everything has been resolved amicably, and there is no course for alarm. The SUG is always committed to the welfare of the students within and outside the school and hopefully will continue to champion their cause". 

Details as to what transpired exactly between the President and the officer in question, which culminated in the assault and the nature of assault are still very sketchy. Meanwhile the DPO of the Ugbowo Police station at press time could not be reached for comments on the issue.






Report by josh.

Law and The UNIBEN Hostel 'Craze'

    One of the thorniest issues, permeating the faculty right now is the question of whether or not it's the duty of the school to provide shelter/accommodation for its students! Unfortunately, this has turned out to be quite a mind bogging debacle, because on one hand we have the students whom are of the opinion that like lecture theatres and classrooms, provision of hostels for students, falls under the purview of the university, however, the school administration on the other hand has sternly insisted that the hostel accommodation is "not a right but a privilege".

It is on this template that many have had to ask - is the school trying to insinuate that those who didn't get hostel accommodation after application, are not "privileged" students? Besides is accommodation not suppose to be for the "less privileged" students instead of the "privileged"?

     That been an issue for another day, right now, we are focusing on the hardship suffered by a lot of law students! Unlike most faculties, Faculty of Law did not release sessional results on time, despite the fact that (according to the school calendar) Senate was supposed to be done with reviewing the results by 6th of November 2015. Consequently, this lack of results, has resulted in a situation were a lot of Law students are without hostel spaces. For our report (at date of this publication) shows that save for those in 100level and 500level, more than 90% of law students have been unable to secure hostel accommodation this session.

     The question being are asked is: What is supposed to be the fate of these ones without hostel spaces?

What are they supposed to do now?

For the females - "live with their "boyfriends" off campus? 

Or for the males - Live under bridges? Or in this case, live in classrooms or lecture theatres? There are confirmed rumours that some students spend the night in the lecture theatres and then go to the hostel in the morning to prepare for classes.

    

     The question is pertinent, all the more so, taking into consideration the fact that the school population has sky rocketed by more than 30% since the commencement of pre-degree programs in the school, so that even now, the price for a hostel space (according to sources) on the "black market" is now unbelievably stupendous. Our findings show that - male hostels (let's not even talk about females) that formerly went for 14 to 20 thousand naira depending on the hall of residence, has now jumped to between 18 to 25 thousand naira, talk about massive inflation!

Also the dire scarcity of accommodation in the suburbs of the school environ - junior staff quarters(JSQ), senior staff quarters (SSQ), dentistry, block of flats, etc, is also very alarming, for information reaching us says that a one room apartment in JSQ goes for 75 thousand naira now!

     The out cry is loud, a lot of students are frustrated and confused, they are haggled, they are in a race against despondency, they are tired and they don't know were to start from, and understandably so!

Here are some of the comments we got from a few of these law students

Jennifer, in 200l said she applied when there was news that their level had changed (from 100 to 200l online) on Friday, 27th Nov yet she and other applicants had not given space yet. She said. "what the school is doing is bad, they are taking money and not giving people hostels, making life hard for students. If nothing can be done they should let us know so we can weigh our options, the whole thing is stressful".
 She also profers a long term solution, "if medical students can have a hostel then why can't we? Law is also a noble profession, we should have our own so we won't have to suffer from this hardship, maybe the alumni can help out.

Nosa and Bamisaye, both in 400l come from long distances everyday and understandably, are not happy about the situation. Nosa in his words, "I spend nothing less than 500naira everyday because of this. Calculate it from when school resumed and see how much I have spent. My own view on the accommodation issue isn't much different from what others have been saying. I think if the authorities knew they won't be able to maintain the online registration they shouldn't have started same. If at this time of the semester student ain't sure of where to stay and lecturers are talking about test already I mean it is bad."
 He also added that "manual registration would have been better judging from precedence. Now I'm not trying to be ungrateful cos if the online actually worked out it would have been better off but the fact remains that it did not work out and it turned out to be the worst so far.. Its quite pathetic that accommodation is still a very big problem in UNIBEN this ought not to be so. Looking at other universities and how they actually conduct accommodation process is very impressive and I think it won't be bad if Uniben copy from them."

Daniel Odigwe also in 400l

"Although I don't stay in the hostel so I may not be able to experience the pain the way they do but I do feel their pain, I have had to accommodate those with accommodation issues and I can boldly say it is not fair and it has not been easy for them at all especially in their academics. We are students, and I must say the school authorities are here for us. What we can do right now is to cry out against this injustice against the students. Its really a stressful and painful thing and its affecting students academically, and when students begin to fail they begin to say all sorts of things. I'm appealing to the SUG to take up this matter for the students with the school authorities and come up with a solution that will be beneficial to the students".

A Female 300l student who declined her name to be mentioned, lamented the deplorable situation, "I'm temporarily in the room I stayed in last session. Now that everyone is clearing and taking possession of their allotted spaces, where will I stay when every space owner arrives? I don't know what to do, I just pray this issue is solved asap."

     When contacted, representatives of the Law Students Association (LAWSA) said the association has met with some of the officials in charge of the process and they have been promised and assured that Law students are top priorities for them. With regards to cases of leftover spaces or those that would not clear their spaces on time (within four days) for one reason or the other, such spaces would be reallocated to them.

      Law students have been implored to be patient, keep their fingers crossed and "hope for the best while praying against the worst!". Some say that its not like the worst has not passed already. Still the question is, will majority of Law students who have applied (with the fee of course), get their hostel spaces?

"PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS" - Lawsans And Parliamentarians React!

     During the administration of the last government, parliament in LAWSA experienced one of, if not it's most turbulent times in recent years!
With a legislative arm that was 'openly' at loggerheads with the executive, strange faces were seen (some have labeled them cultists) 'regularly' attending sittings more than congressmen, circulation of unconfirmed reports of congressmen and women been beaten up inside the faculty toilet and faculty premises, the resignation of more than a few congressmen, parliament stringently refusing to ratify the budget of the executive arm, the 'controversial' appointment of the Chief Justice of the association, the resignation of quite a few chamber heads, resignation of the then acting LAWBA president, amongst many other intrigues culminating in a near systematic shut down of the association.

     The tension was so palpable and fierce, that after a particular rowdy and emotional session in parliament, The "Legal Watchmen" did a story on the activities of parliament that fateful day, which unfortunately did not go down well in quite a few quarters. Thus the wanton and dramatic destruction of the Legal Watchmen's notice board by some (unknown) elements, the fear, chaos and pandemonium that enveloped the entire faculty immediately after, and then the subsequent emergency meeting of all LAWSAns with any 'official position' convened by the student staff adviser. Sadly, even the meet by the "mighty" staff adviser could not broker peace, thus he had to read the "riot act" to all present!
Those were really dark days for the association!

     It is against this background, that much attention has been focused on parliament this session!
With the Inaugural sitting and election of Principal officers of Parliament already conducted, LAWSAns are eager and curious to find out what to expect from Parliament this session! Can both arms of government get along? Can they work together to better the lot of law students?
UNIBEN LAWSA Press talked with a few LAWSAns on their reactions from the internal Parliament elections and their expectations; this is what they had to say-
•Eke Martins - 400L Congress member.
 "For the first time in quite a long time, the congress was in a position where it had to pick between two persons who are both good, either choice would have been in the best interest of lawsans, would have spoken well of lawsa, would have acted in the right capacity as speaker. But then we couldn't pick two, it was not an easy task but then we believe that the congressmen in their wisdom chose one of them, the best of the both of them. It must be stated that either of the candidate would have been risky but its a risk we must take, and we do hope it pays us well and we'll not have any cause to look back (painfully) at our decision.
We hope the congress will work in unity and does not appear to be like the past assembly that was filled with so much rancor. In every honesty I do hope that this present assembly works hand in hand with the executive to ensure a better lawsa, because we've listened, we've learned and we're leading."

•Daniel Odigwe, 400L constituency.
"I think the recent congress elections was a very wonderful political miracle, because we thought a candidate would emerge and three candidates came out for the position and one of them won. I'm happy with the fact that the candidate that came out won despite the fact that it looked bleak at the  beginning. The candidate had made it clear that he was not out to antagonize the President, rather they're going to work hand in hand to ensure the good fortune of Lawsans.
I'm trusting the LAWSA congress to meet up to expectations, they'll be a very viable strong check on the President, not to antagonize him, but help him achieve better than his predecessors".

•U.I. Alexander (Honourable Clerk of the SUG parliament).
"Although i wasn't present at the congress elections, from what I was briefed, it (the office of Speaker) was dearly contestable.
Nna victor is a very good friend of mine, and he brings nothing other than effective leadership, because this is a position he has been having in mind for a very long time... having it this time around, i don't expect anything other than perfect leadership and I wish him well he's from my class and I know he will deliver.
Having the leadership of Nna victor which is a nice one as I said earlier, they (congress) will deliver. They will do all that is expected of a parliamentary arm of government, anything you think is achievable would be achievable here, because they have a credible leader. So to an extent i believe everything will be fine".




Everything said and done, unibenlawsapress will like to use this medium to remind our leaders that we elected them into power and thus in the very least we expect not just accountability, effective representation, transparency and respect for the rule of law but also a certain level of maturity.
We expect them to realize that no matter their differences, their zeal and passion for a common purpose - "The advancement of LAWSA", should not only be a unifying factor but also, it should be paramount!



 "Gafar" - unibenLAWSApress

THE SUPREME LAWSA CONGRESS HOLDS INAUGURAL SITTING

• Congress members take oath of office
• ...elect principal officers
• Nna Victor emerges as Speaker

     Political duties in the Faculty of Law Students Association (LAWSA) UNIBEN seem to have kicked into full gear as the Supreme LAWSA Congress on Friday 27th of November, 2015 held its inaugural sitting. In the inaugural session presided over by the President of LAWSA, Garrick Nosa John, the Congress members were sworn into congress officially by the President. The Parliamentarians also elected Principal Officers of Congress into the positions of Chief Whip, Clerk, Deputy Speaker and Speaker.

     Having being given the go-ahead of the Faculty via the Student Adviser, Dr N. Ojukwu-Ogba, to proceed with Executive duties despite not being sworn in (ceremoniously), President Garrick issued a public notification invitation to the elected members of Congress. The statement issued on the 24th day of November, 2015 and signed by the President and Secretary General of LAWSA Okeleke Ugochukwu Victor, informed the Congress honourables of the inaugural sitting to hold on the 27th of November. According the statement, the Agenda of the sitting was to consist of Election of Principal officers and the Ratification of Presidential appointments, in order to "hasten work of all arms of government as time is far spent".

     The session scheduled for 4:00pm however didn't start till 4:15 when Congress members and Observers entered into the house. The Eleco chairman proceeded to state the sitting arrangements for Congress members, LAWSA Executives and for observers. At 4:20 the President of LAWSA, Garrick Nosa entered the house and delivered his opening address, after which oath of office forms were shared to the 36 Congress members present (out of 40) and they were sworn into office by the President.

     The Eleco took centre stage as next on the Agenda was the nomination (and election if need be) of Whips of each constituency and Election of Principal Officers of Parliament. The Eleco Chairman explained that the modus operandi of voting was going to be via secret ballot, in other to avoid "vendetta and hate" after the elections.  According to the LAWSA Constitution, the Speaker of the house must come from the 500 level constituency, the Chief Whip also from the 500 level, the Deputy speaker from the 400 level and the Clerk from 200 level constituency. The whips from each constituency were nominated and unopposed. 200 level - Honourable Kenneth, 300 level - Honourable Wahi Friday, and from 400 level constituency - Eke Martins.

     For the position of Chief Whip, who must come from the 500 level constituency Honourable Freeman Ameh and Honourable Philip Okwichime were nominated. Freeman Ameh won by a landslide with 29 votes to 7 votes scored by Philip. For the offices of Clerk and Deputy Speaker which constitutionally is to be occupied by a member of the 200 and 400 level constituencies respectively, there were sole nominations and no opposition. Honourable Efosa Okpamen emerged as Clerk, and Honourable Franklin Ikechukwu emerged as the speaker.
   
The sitting was not without some drama as in addition to the two rumoured contenders for the position of Speaker, Honourable Nna Victor and Honourable Nwachukwu Patrick, Honourable Etiosa Ejomon was also nominated. The drama took another twist when during his turn to give his manifesto he declined nomination and stepped down for the other two candidates. In what was indeed a close tie between Nna Victor and Nwachukwu Patrick, it was Nna Victor who emerged "Victorious" as Speaker with 20 votes, while Honourable Patrick scored 16 votes.

     The President then addressed and swore into office the principal officers. There was the 1st marching in of the Speaker, in which everyone stood at the cry of "Mr Speaker!", along with principal officers. The new Speaker in giving his welcome address thanked the House for the confidence reposed in him and promised that it would never be abused. Noting however that time was far spent and it was getting late, the Speaker suggested an adjournment of sitting till further notice, in which the Office of the Speaker would notify them. The Law makers nodded in approval and the motion was moved and seconded. The first sitting of Parliament for the session ended at about 6:13pm when Mr Speaker stepped out in company of his executives.

200level Constituency Congress Members

LAWSA CONGRESS MEMBERS 2015/2016

200 Level Constituency

- Joy Joseph
- Kenneth Nwino
- Tony Geku
- Collins Momoh
- Adewale Mosuro
- Uwaifokun Osagie
- Ifedun Grace
- Ogbomo Osamuede Moses
- Oboh Lawrence Christopher
- Ojeaburu Orumen Ifidon

300level Congress Members

300 Level Constituency

- Dekina Joseph Lebari
- David Victor Akpeji
- Godswill Ikpuri
- Henry Uzezi Amata
- Abolagba Joshua
- Efosa Okpamen
- Promise Wayi Friday
- Caleb Eghosa Ibizugbe
- Irene Ralphael Efe

400 Level Constituency

400level Congress Members

- Precious Edafe Onodiama
- Franklin Ikechukwu
- Martins Eziukwu Eke
- Yor Yor Borviga
- Chisom Kewvis
- Courage Osabuohien
- Enoma "Gafar" Precious
- Regina Nwolokoh Awele
- Daniel Eromosele Eiwanlan
- Peter Abada

500 Level Constituency

500level Congress Members

- Nna Victor
- Akpor Andrew
- Ojomo Etiosa Emmanuel
- Ameh Freeman
- Atsegbua Divine
- Okwechime Philip
- Joseph Okon
- Patrick Nwachukwu

"I NEVER ACTED UNCONSTITUTIONALLY" - President Garrick Nosa

• Swears in Members of Congress 

• Sheds light on operation of office without being sworn in

 • Says that Congress and the Presidency are not enemies

 • Issues warning to mischief makers

President Garrick

The President of the Law Students Association (LAWSA) UNIBEN, has debunked rumours linking himself to acting unconstitutionally and away from his Executive powers by conducting and interfering with elections within Parliament. Speaking to Congress members and observers at the Inaugural Congress sitting on Friday 27th November, 2015 the President read from Section 17 of the LAWSA constitution and drew attention to its provisions

 "The President conducting elections within Congress is not a new thing, it didn't start today. If you have noticed there is a lacuna in Section 17 of the LAWSA Constitution. While it gives the duty of presiding over the inaugural sitting of congress to the president, it doesn't say who to conduct elections, thus the President over time has always conducted congress executive elections. It is in recognising this that I decided to invite an independent body which is the LAWSA Eleco to conduct the elections."

     The President while making this statement expressed hope that this will be corrected when the time comes as they must have made such promises when they declared their manifestos to their various constituencies. He also shed light on elected excos assuming executive functions without being sworn in. According to Garrick, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Richard Idubor has been really busy for the last 2 months and as such has had no time to swear in the elected excos ceremoniously. It was in light of this that the faculty via the Student staff adviser Dr N.E. Ojukwu-Ogba gave the elected excos the "express mandate" to carry on with their duties as they were already behind schedule.

     President Garrick in the same vein addressed everyone present to wipe away the notion from their minds that the members of parliament and the President were enemies and opponents. He said that they were all working for the benefit and future of LAWSA and therefore had no enmity between them. The President issued a warning to his would be detractors who may want to frustrate his efforts and "witch-hunt" him to desist from such act as any of such efforts will be met with failure, and the congress members would not allow that.

     It would be recalled that President Garrick Nosa defeated Nosayaba Douglas in the LAWSA elections that held in August, 2015, replacing the Lauretta led LAWSA government.

Scars Of a Virginity Lost!

With gnashed teeth and head bowed, i remember that fateful

day when she invited me over, an innocent act i said to

myself-subconsciously trying to placate the other part of

my head that was dogmatically scolding me for answering

her call every single time helplessly like she was nature.

Truth be told though, i was no stranger to her world-her

little paradise had her scent all over and understandably it

felt like home to me, her soft bed was my favourite part of

the room and soon enough i was sprawled on it, as she

came over and gave me the most inviting of welcomes on

my lips. Before long we were away and beyond and as

always i was enthralled in our conversation, enchanted by

her beauty!. I laid wif my head on her laps, she stroked my

hair gently and as i rose to share a gaze wif her, i lost my

soul, for those big brown eyes of hers were magical,

magical beyond words and i laid there, motionless,

watching her talk, watching her smile, watching her live,

watching her in gratitude for the happiness she gave me

and i was so fulfilled, so it was not surprising when a little

over five hours later, a visit that started early in the evening

felt like i had just gotten here but alas it was dark already,

too late to head home but i had to, she wouldnt hear of it,

she chided me sternly, ironically even a reprimand from her

i found endearing. I was ruined and i knew very well the

hopelessness of my case but sadly even that did not help

matters, if at all, it complicated things even more. Finally

like always she had her way with me-i was to spend the

night over!.looking back now, i can't help buh fear it was all

planned right from the start. It was new territory for me, for

never had i spent an entire night alone wif a girl alone

before and thus naturally i was apprehensive but i

reassured myself, i reassured myself wif the fact that i loved

her, i reassured myself wif the fact that i trusted her thus

invariably she wouldn't hurt me.#smh -if wishes were

horses........ gradually but inevitably night came, sleep

beckoned, painfully but truthfully it dawned on me i couldn't

keep guard anymore, i had to let go and as she took me in

her hands and cuddled me, i felt warmth, i felt loved, i felt

safe, like salt in water, my fears were lost, my alarm senses

dissipated- a feeling so peaceful that all i wanted now was

to fall asleep and fall i did!

Asleep i dreamt of a beautiful and serene garden full of

white roses and i was taking a stroll, enjoying the rare yet

breathtaking scenery when suddenly it started to rain blood,

blood turning a charming white garden to a red scary one, i

woke abruptly, disturbed by the dream and subsequently

even more alarmed when i find that she's no longer beside

me, to compound my woes even more, i discover that my

member was at its full length, how it got there i didnt know

and frankly i didn't care for i was greatly embarrassed and

more concerned wif what if she found me in this state? What

would she fink of me? Would she get the wrong impression

of me and fins? It was a swift transition from the tranquil

state i was before now to this chaotic fauxpass, i was still

trying to fathom a way out when suddenly i felt this strange

warmth pervade my member, the feeling

was.................the feeling was..........the feeling was out

of this world, i was wet and i was dripping, i felt something

like a palate move round it, i was shocked, so i raised my

head almost immediately and then i saw, -what i saw was

not for the faint at heart for there re sights a man see's once

in a lifetime and once is more than enough, lo and behold,

she was there, down there and she had it in her mouth, i

was shocked beyond words, i SCREAMED! but unfortunately

the sounds that came out were strange even to my own

ears. I was doomed, like judas, my own body had betrayed

me, pathetic man that i am! She didnt stop there, like an

invading army, she pressed upward in her quest to conquer,

she took my nipples in her mouth, one after the other, poor

things, i can't deny that the feeling was so pleasurable yet it

was strange thus i screamed for her to STOP in protest but

NO! ,for every protest i made or tried to she seemed

#reinvigorated and spurred on. #smh, it was a hopeless

cause, it was apparent-even a #blindchild could tell the

night was not going to end well for me.

Things #escalated when she took my member in her left

hand in an attempt to guide me into her, with every last

strength in my being i resisted and i pleaded wif her to

STOP, with tears already running down my cheek i began

what would turn out to be a futile quest to make her see

reasons, to make her understand that i was not quite ready

yet, it was something i wanted to give as a marriage

present, it was desire to be "met at home", to explain to her

that the act was against my faith and above all to make her

realise that my mom would be very disappointed but NO!

She was not to be moved, her eyes were no longer

charming, they were scary and red wif lust, before i could

pursue my case even further she resumed her madness and

wif even more bite this time, like my protesting had wasted

her time and thus angered her, she needed to make up for

lost time and so wif a single thrust she forced her way in

and involuntarily i recoiled and #SCREAMEDoUTiNpAIN, in

that split second my world tilted on its axis, everyfin went

black-like my eyes were opened yet all i could see was

darkness, i could swear i died and came back.

Despondently, wif tears falling freely i opened my eyes only

to find her staring down at me wif a grin of accomplishment

on her face.#smh...hate on my mind, i felt like a prey that

had just been vanquished!.

#ThemomentThatCouldNeverBeTakenBack!

I reminsce wif eyes closed in disgust and pain as she

penetrated my innocence wif strength and brutality like

never seen before now. I reminsce now wif my heart

thumping, that single moment of heart rending pain i could

never wish away now. Now locked away in room, all alone

in a vacant and pensive mood gloating about my precious

purity- sent on a journey, one never to return from!. Now i

find my poor head filled wif more questions than answers.-

was she worth it?-will dz gloomy sense of loss dat

pervades my entire being ever leave? should i ve fallen for

her charms and sweet talk?- should i ve trusted her?-will i

ever be the same again? As disappointed as i am, why don't

i hate her? Why did she do it? Why did she break my heart?

Why did she violate me? Was this what it was all about for

her? Will she love me even more now? Why did she #take

from me what i didn't #give freely? will i ever be pure

again?

#WillThisScarEverHeal?

An Open Letter To The Dean Of Law

01/11/15

Dear sir

My name is gafar!

I'm a student of "your" noble faculty of law, in my penultimate year(or at least hopefully so)

Sir, before I proceed any further, I'd like to first and foremost register my admiration for the great things you've accomplished in your brief yet indelible stint as dean of this "great" faculty.

I'm a big (not "very" though) fan or ardent supporter of the discipline and sanity that you've brought into faculty of law since you became the dean (the first autochthonous one for that matter).
They say it's your duty to make this faculty sane, sober and responsible and I dare say you've done so with aplomb sir!
So that  I take a cursory gaze at delinquents, (those with  the moral code of gangsters - my humble self included) and I dare them to trouble try and  see if they'll benefit from their insolence.
So that even now, along with your faculty I.D card, is a disclaimer that says - "the fear of the dean is the beginning of wisdom"

Sir, time would fail and flee me, if I continue to extol your wisdom and virtues.

Plus already, I can imagine you smiling now and saying - "washy" (on a second thought, maybe not!), be that as it may - You sir, you won the award for "best lecturer" of the session just past in my class (I didn't vote for you sha), and that, I believe says it all.

However sir, the obvious question that lingers is- "why I'm I writing you?"

Well sir, if you don't mind (I know you do, buh I'll still write anyways!) there are quite a few "minor" things I'd like to just blab about !

Sir, in the first months of your administration (aka regime), the faculty "underwent" a "face lift" aka chairs and tables were been repaired, windows were been cleaned, sockets were been fixed, FULLSTOP! as in The END!
I know you are expecting more but please don't because that was the exact total of what constituted a facelift (at least for students! - some have even argued that, that much was done, only because  the faculty was under review for accreditation - shaking my head - people can be so ungrateful and pessimistic) and we are grateful sir (it's not like we have a choice tho) but then sir, even these little things have fallen apart, the sockets do not function anymore (that's if they ever did) , the tables and chairs have are broken again, the panes are dirty once more, they say - "half bread is better than none", so sir if we could just have these "facelifts" done on a more routine basis, it ll be greatly appreciated!

Also too sir, there's also the new reported case of your arriving in our Lts in the middle of the night unannounced (during exam season) and chasing away all "non-law students", why I don't know but I believe so that law students can have the opportunity and conducive atmosphere to read for their exams!
Sir I believe this move is laudable (at least the intent), I believe this is a testament to your dedication to duty and your love for your students (I mean, if a married man leaving his wife and family at night just to come and drive away students from Lts is not a show of love - frankly, I wonder what is?) still sir, It's my belief that there are or were other viable, more effective and less dramatic means to that end!
What do I mean? - Take for instance LT3 sir, it's an Lt strictly not juz for law students buh for final year law students exclusively both day and night, and this defacto rule has been strictly adhered to by both law and non students alike without you having to interfere.
I'm also tempted to point out too, that most law students do not even like reading in the faculty buh prefer reading in other faculties but that's beside the point, my point sir, is that while your immense love and dedication is worthy of emulation, it would probably be better appreciated if channeled into other areas - for example, I know for one I'll be way happier if I and my classmates do not have to raise over 70,000 naira of our hard earned (yes, some of us do earn it) money almost every session just to get a public address system or if you could somehow "persuade" law students into paying their dues for the association, or if I didn't have to suddenly suffer from high blood pressure every time I'm pressed, simply because  the faculty restrooms are worse than non existent, etc ( I'm just saying sir, buh then what do I even know self?)

I'd like to mention too, the ban on all religious activities (aka christian) in the faculty but then information reaching me says it's a university directive, so I rather not! But then the fastidious enforcement of this directive here in contrast to other faculties is really.............. but to be honest, who is the faculty to say NO when the school has said YES? (at least that's what I thought until I came across page 93 proviso no 15 of the faculty handbook that provides that all invigilators must wear academic gowns while in the exam hall - and I can't help but wonder why the faculty is yet to enforce this particular directive? Or I could talk about the directive that staffs must have their I.D cards on them? Or the fact that "christian activities" do take place in our neighbor faculty but all these are beside my point)
My case sir, is not against the directive itself as much as it is against the method used in implementing same, I've personally witnessed a situation where over almost thirty students were held (hostages) in Lt 1, while security personnel were summoned and pockets of drama seekers (aka aprokos) had no choice but to "absently" hover over all available openings in the Lt!
Sir, calling to mind all the ethics I've  learnt albeit slowly from my stay ( a long one now) in this faculty , it has dawned on me that the law profession is a peculiar noble one, thus we cannot (at least we should not) be found handling issues the same manner other "jumpology" faculties (#quoteCredit -darracourt) would.
I believe that these things should be handled with  more elegance and Finnesse - and I think, probably If students can learn this very vital lesson from our dean himself, I believe the effect would be indelible!

It is also my belief sir, that you've already created a "larger than death" persona in the minds of these students i dare say staff too , so that dealing with  issues of deviancy and delinquency with love and mildness, I posit will "probably" turn out to be more effective than the status quo!

Sir, I'm cautious (aka afraid) else I would have said too that the now dreaded and infamous threat of "not going to law school" is a card that unfortunately has been overplayed and consequently lost a larger part of its potency (please note that - this has not be scientifically proven) . While I stand to be corrected, it is my belief that law school is something law students should look forward to with enthusiasm and admiration, not a whip to be sampled everytime just to make students fall back in line but like I said - "wisdom is profitable to direct" so I'll rather not go there!

And lastly sir, as you are probably aware of, the student association conducted it's election some months back and somehow, for reasons that neither I nor my fellow course mates know of nor can fathom - the new executives of the association are yet to be sworned into office almost three months after the said election. A situation that I daresay is very alarming and detrimental to the health of the association.
Sir, the world over, it is trite that a lacuna in government of this nature, is dangerous and a threat to the continuity of the government as a whole! ( no, no - not "M.K.O", what I had in mind was - the "shonekan and abdulsalami" era)

It is my belief sir, that matters as trife (subjectively sha) as this do not fall directly under the purview of your exalted office, also too, I'll not pretend to be unaware of the rumors going round that there has been a "change" in the association's staff adviser - these among many other factors could possibly be the reasons for this "slight" slight kor? 3months is almost equivalent to one semester in school GMT, and for executives that have just  two semesters in office? haaa! delay in the transition of power.

Whatever the case or reasons maybe, sir I want to use this medium to please implore you, as the father that you are, to use your good office to peep (looking is a big ask) into the situation, if for nothing else - for the sake of these little children you love so much, so that the appropriate steps can be taken. ( #swear4garrick)

Sir, there are probably quite a few other issues I'm tempted (get behind me Satan, I'm not ignorant of your devices) to "blab" about buh it's my belief that there's a thin line between been bold and been disrespectful, especially in this part of the world, where our tolerance for this kind of "impunity" aka "speaking up" is very low so, in my bid not to over stretch my luck and cross to the "land of no return", I'd rather juz drop my pen here.

Words cannot sufficiently express how grateful I am to you sir, for taking out time from your busy schedule to read this letter and it's my prayer that this letter will in no way affect my chances of going to law school (e never reach like that abeg).

And contrary to what you and others may fink, I'd like to state that "NO, I'm not a cultist"

God bless you sir, keep up the good work, we love you and we are proud!

(I dunno if I am sha buh protocol demands I end by saying)

                                                                                        "Yours faithfully"

                                                                                               iamgafar

How Intelligence Kills (The Law Experience)

My name is gafar!

I'm a law student of the university of Benin, in my penultimate year!

In a class of over 200 lawyers wannabees, I think I can safely say(safely cos nobody can beat me up for it) that  I'm one of the dullest here.
I'm sure this is not unrelated to the fact that I'm a certified member of the "house of lords" (the back benchers), the captain of my class team too, one that laughs too often, one that has too many friends, one that is not very spiritual, one that is too gregarious, one that believes the dress code is too boring, and above all else- one that doesn't sleep in the library! 
These I am - amongst many other needed attributes to be a "poor" law student! 

And so it's not a surprise (at least no longer) when fellow class and course mates alike, walk up to me and they want to know how I managed to gain admission to study law( the last one that tried, found out that my grades were way higher than his! Talk about irony) or why I want to be a lawyer ( and I'm like - who says I want to be? So somebody can not just study law and not be a lawyer shey?)

And then there's the subtle and often not too subtle discrimination eg- where I step forward for a presentation and everybody is stunned or a group discussion were my hand is raised up because I want to contribute and everybody pretends like they can't see it and I'm forced to rebelliously and rudely cut in!(and then they are surprised that I know anything at all. 
Or a particular episode I ll not forget (at least not in a hurry), were my Tort lecturer leaves the front of the class, takes the effort to climb the many flight of stairs up(by the way we need an elevator in that Lt) and then after tediously scanning all the faces, she points at me - ofcourse at first I pretend like I'm oblivious to the happenings buh she's persistent, so I get up and she asked her question, not without first turning around dramatically -asking the class to listen attentively (I'm a very shy person, ok remove the "very", point is - the extra attention did not help my cause) yet I did managed to give her a very correct answer (I know because I spied from the textbook but that's beside the point) and wait for it -" she was speechless " not the speechlessness that comes with amazement but that that comes with disbelief and disappointment, I swear it was like she expected me, NO scratch that, she did expect me to fail, it was like she wanted me to fail (at least that's how I saw it) and to affirm my suspicion she asked me to repeat what I Had juz said again, listening intently this time for flaws or whatever she was, my point is - she walked away, "REMORSEFUL", without as much as a kudos or Welldone! 

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my lecturers are bad, trust me, they are not (at least some are not) buh my point is - quite a few of them are prejudiced and stereotypical, so that in their subconscious and not too sub, they ve defined me and my cohorts as "not do wells", dull, unserious minded juveniles ( to be fair, sometimes we are) so that to them we are a lost cause, one they rather not waste their precious time (which I pay for, by the way) on.

The question I keep asking is- "like christ, if you did not come to teach the dull ones, who did you then come for?"

It is my belief that there is something fundamentally wrong with  our educational system - I mean they (lecturers) will persistently tell me and my people to stop making noise, ignorant of the fact that it is this so called noise making that make these lectures interesting for us, that act as speed bumps for us lest we fall asleep all through (I'm not saying that they are boring or anything like that but....)

"We live in a society were we spend 12 years telling primary and secondary school students to keep quiet and then we thrust them into the world and tell them to make a change and "SPEAK" up against social injustice " speak up? When they can't even so do freely in the comfort ( there's no comfort, it's a figure of speech) of their classrooms?

I don't want to talk about my dean who teaches labour law and yet the student association of law is.....

Neither do I want to talk about my contract lecturer in 200level who comes to class and tells you of how he is a big fan of the union president of a renowned institution in western Nigeria because  of his boldness and conviction and yet when you stand up and disagree with his "rules/policies", he tells you scratch that, he "orders" you to either sit down or get out of "his" class depending on your luck! 
Most often I'm tempted to retort - "it's not your class sir, it's "our" class!" buh then instead I just find myself  telling the devil to get behind me, afterall the good book says -"wisdom is profitable to direct". 
Else they ll say - I'll not go to law school! 

Back to my point though -" everybody is a genius, buh if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, then it ll leave it's whole life finking it is dull"

Students with creative minds are often prone to fail because our educational system is largely based on having a high working memory capacity aka "cramming" rather than a great imagination! So that we've turned creative students into dead head memorizers, we have decapitated creativity! 

Yes I maybe the dullest student in my class buh definitely I'm one of the most creative students there too! 

Creative students that are perceived dullards/unserious- lemme not mention names buh royal is a good example, Sach eHima too, Joshua Ogbeide, Uro James, Emmanuel owah, joseph asikpata, irikefe, micheal, lebari dekina, I could go on and on ( like literally I could) buh my fingers ache already! 

 "Let's change the way we see, then we can change the way we live" - gafar

You hate this article? - well thanks for reading all the same!