Last week, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) hosted the 8th   Annual National Seminar of the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS). NURUDEEN YUSUF (200 level student of  Islamic and Common Law at the Lagos State University) in this report, says the event was not only a colloquium but an assembly fostering unity among the budding lawyers.

For five days, law students across Nigeria gathered at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for the annual seminar of the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS). 

The seminar draws Muslim law students out of their classrooms and creates a forum for them to exchange ideas and relate with one another. The theme for this year was "Contemporary legal issues in the light of Common and Islamic Law". 

On Wednesday, May 23, not less than 200 delegates arrived from different tertiary institutions and were lodged at the Admiralty lodge behind State House, GRA, Ilorin.

Universities in attendance were Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, University of Benin (UNIBEN), ObafemiAwolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Ibadan (UI), Bayero University Kano (BUK), Nasarawa State UnviversityKeffi (NSUK), University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Agowoye, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Uthman Dan Fodio University (UDU), Sokoto, Kogi State University and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) amongst others. 

Dignitaries at the event were Prof. Abdul- Qadir Zubair,  Yusuf Ali (SAN), Kareem Olatoye Sub Dean Faculty of Law, LASU, Dr. Bashir Omipidan Sub Dean Faculty of Law University of Ilorin to mention a few.

At the formal opening on Thursday,Head of Department of Public Law, Lagos State University (LASU) Dr.RasaqAdeleke delivered a thought provoking lecture on the topic "Legal Education, Freedom of Religion and Challenges for Prospective Muslim Lawyers." 

On the dress code for Muslim law students, he said "most universities grudgingly accept it (hijab) on the basis of respect for right to freedom of religion of these ladies. Nevertheless, this is often met with disapproval and resistance from the authority of law school."

According to him, "the victimization and harassment of Muslim female barristers in Nigerian courts because of the hijab has become a common phenomenon and poses a serious challenge to the Muslim female members of the profession to practise their profession in accordance with their faith."

A Qur'anic competition was held in honour of Justice M.I Tanko. The competitors were expected to demonstrate their understanding of the Qur'an and ability to recite verses. 

In the first category Ahmadu Bello Univerity (ABU), Zaria won with 91 points, Uthman Dan Fodio University (UDU), Sokotocame second with 90 points; second, while University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) scored 88 points to come third.

In the second category, LASU came first with 92 points, UNILORIN second with 89 points while UNIABUJA gripped the third position with 87 points. 
At noon of the same day, a special Jumat service was held at the University's Mosque. The Imam, Professor Agas sppke on the theme of the sermon "Jihad in Islam". He said fighting for Allah is not synonymous with killing and suicide bombing. He said converts can be won through peaceful means like feeding the poor.
To put to practice their knowledge of Law, the students slugged it out in a moot trial. The subject of contention was on Land and Constitutional Law on an Appeal from the appellate court to the Supreme Court for final hearing and judgement. The counsels were grouped into two; the Respondent and the Appellant. 
Ibrahim Bashir from UNIABUJA led the Respondent (Federal Government) acting as the Attorney General of the Federation. Other counsels were Toyin Muhammed-Awwal (UNILORIN), Aminu Kalgo (UDU), Hassan Ibrahim (UNIBEN), SulaimanMuhammed (Kogi State University), AlhassanAliyu (UDU), Muhd-Bello Abd-Allah (UDU).

Yusuf Abdul Rahman (LASU) led the Appellantcouncil, other counsels were Isiaq Adekunle (OAU), Muhammed-Nura Aliyu (ABU, Zaria), DaudaYahaya (NSUK), Bashir Garba (BUK), MuiydeenAderonmu (LASU), and Ahmed Abdul Rahman (UI).

The appellant contested the judgement of the court of Appeal and the trial court against the government acquisition of a land inherited by their client through the customary system. They argued that for the appellate court to have dismissed the appeal is a fundamental breach of human right as provided for in the constitution. Therefore, they demanded the compensation of N85 million and perpetual injunction restraining further trespass on the land.

On the other hand, the Attorney General of the Federation and his co-counsels argued and prayed that the Supreme Court uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal and dismiss the case for the lack of locus standi, want of merit because Mr.Adesanya the appellant had slept over his right for more than 30 years based on the fact that "equity does not aid the indolent but the vigilant".  They further argued that Chapter II of the constitution is not justiciable and as enshrined in Section 6(6)(c).

The presiding Judges Abdullahi- Salihu Abdul- Rauf a partner at Yusuf O. Alli and Co and Imam TamimMuhammed-Kaldeen of K. K. Eleja and Co who are also lecturers interjected several times during the counsels' argument to educate the students.

Imam Tamim Muhammed-Kaldeenruled against the judgement of the Appeal Court and said the appellant has suffered injustice and is entitled to compensation.
Yusuf Abisogun a delegate from LASU was of the opinion that the seminar was a gathering of the pious learning minds. 

"This kind of event should be encouraged because it fosters peace among young people. I was able to learn new things which I couldn't have in class. I met new people, we interacted, exchanged ideas and thought as one big family. In fact, our government should think on how they can bring us together because it is very important," he said.