KW-CAILS Law Students staged mock trial on Wasiu Ayinde v. Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport case

The Law Students’ Association Court at the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) kwara state Ilorin, recently held a mock trial involving the case of Wasiu Ayinde v. The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. The exercise, designed as part of the practical training of law students, featured KW-CAILS law students at the Bar and in the gallery, simulating real-life courtroom proceedings.

Case Background
Wasiu Ayinde filed a suit against Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, alleging breach of contract and misconduct arising from a disputed incident during one of its scheduled flights. The Plaintiff counsel, maintained that the Airline failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, which resulted in undue hardship and reputational damage to the plaintiff.

Parties and Representation
In the matter, Wasiu Ayinde stood as the (Plaintiff), while the Airline was the (Defendant). The Law students were assigned roles as Counsel, Witnesses, Bailiff, clerk and Judges, providing a comprehensive courtroom experience.

The defense counsel for the Airline countered with policy documents and testimonies of airport officials, maintaining that the plaintiff’s ordeal was not caused by negligence on the part of the airport management. The defense further contended that the plaintiff failed to follow the protocols of the Airline and external factors beyond the airport’s control also contributed to the situation.

Proceedings
The trial opened with submissions from both parties. Counsel for the Plaintiff presented evidence such as tickets and correspondence, stressing that the Airline’s conduct amounted to breach of contract. The Plaintiff, Wasiu Ayinde, also testified, detailing the hardship suffered as a result of the Airline’s alleged breaches.
The plaintiff also called another witness to testify on his behalf so as to prove his case.
The plaintiff counsel sought for the indulgence of the court to adjourn the case for further hearing due to the absence of the plaintiff’s last witness.

The presiding student Judge (Justice Abdul-Rafiu Ruqqoyah Omotolani) asked if there was any objection to the application. The Defense counsel has no objection.
The presiding Judge then informed the defense counsel to prepare for his case on the next adjournment date. The case is thereby adjourned to the 15th of Sept. 2025 for further hearing.

Significance of the Mock Trial:
The mock trial served as a vital academic exercise for KW-CAILS law students. It is a valuable platform for the law students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. It exposed participants to advocacy, legal reasoning, and courtroom decorum, while also boosting their confidence in litigation practice.

The Law Students’ Association President (Abdullahi Monsur Opeyemi) reasured that the law students’ Association Court will continue maintaining its role in preparing KW-CAILS law students for future legal practices by blending classroom learning with real-world simulation.