SAA HOLDS FONS ET ORIGO MOOT COMPETITION AT LASU FACULTY OF LAW

The Students Advocates’ Association (SAA), Lagos State University, on Friday, December 5, 2025, held the Fons et Origo Moot Competition at the Faculty of Law, LASU. The competition brought together law students from various teams who showcased their advocacy skills in a simulated courtroom environment.

The moot argument centred on a complex commercial and logistics dispute involving GhazalTech Innovations, Baeshey Logistics Plc, Evergreen Farms Ltd, and Mr. Nipex. It addressed issues of breach of contract, vicarious liability, delayed delivery of tech equipment, destruction of a solar-powered irrigation system, compensation claims, branding responsibility, payment obligations under a Logistics Management Agreement, and alleged defamatory statements.

Themed “Raising the Bar: Advocacy as the Voice of Justice,” the competition aimed to expose students to real courtroom processes while strengthening their research abilities, advocacy skills, and teamwork.

Four courts were set up across the faculty, with student counsel presenting arguments before experienced legal practitioners, including Mopelola Muibi Hammed of Popoola Taiwo LP, Iqbal Majolagbe of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, and Azeez Babatunde Adeleke of Azeez Adeleke Legal Consult. Teams representing Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Aelex, G. Elias, Aluko & Oyebode, Templars, Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie, Babalakin & Co., and Banwo & Ighodalo competed vigorously, guided by their coaches.

The atmosphere across the courts was intense yet highly educative, as students confidently presented arguments, examined facts, cited legal authorities, and responded to probing questions from the bench. Judges varied in approach, while some maintained a calm and instructive posture, others thoroughly tested the students’ depth of preparation and legal reasoning.

Assessment for the competition extended beyond the moot round. It incorporated scores from the initial brief-writing stage, and the combined results determined the overall ranking of the teams. At the end of the round, Olaniwun Ajayi LP emerged as the highest-ranking team with 77.375%, followed by Aelex with 75.75%, and G. Elias with 74.56%. The judges also recognized outstanding individual performances, with Emokpaire Phoebe Omighe emerging as the Overall Best Counsel with 93%, closely followed by Oduyemi Talodabiire Mawutin, Salvador Omolade Tairat, Ephraim Oreoluwa Oladiran, and Obikoya Elizabeth Obironke, all of whom scored 92%.

Other notable performers included Ajao Yasmeen Omotara with 88%, and Bello Evelyn Fayokemi and Awosanya Leila Oluwanifemi, who both scored 86%. Following the combined assessment, the top two teams: Olaniwun Ajayi LP and Aelex, secured their place in the final mock trial, which is scheduled to hold on December 12, 2025, as the concluding stage of the Fons et Origo competition.

Commenting on the exercise, one of the judges, Azeez Babatunde Adeleke, emphasized that the purpose of the competition was to expose students to the realities of legal practice beyond the classroom. He noted that moot sessions build confidence, instill courtroom discipline, and help students understand the practical application of legal principles and procedure. Many of the participants described the experience as challenging but deeply rewarding, stating that it enhanced their advocacy skills, confidence, legal research capacity, and teamwork.

The Fons et Origo Moot Competition reaffirmed the commitment of the Students Advocates’ Association, LASU, to preparing future legal practitioners through immersive court exposure, discipline, and excellence in advocacy.