Paul Usoro Challenge: Winners to be announced soon

Following the launch of the #PaulUsoroChallenge in October 2017, the organising committee and panel of judges have announced that the winners from six geographical zones will soon be announced, as the selection process draws to a gradual close.

According to them the process has been a very remarkable one, which has seen several compelling videos, sent in by contestants in the challenge.

The criteria and requirements for eligibility include: a short (maximum of two minutes) video on Instagram, to be used with the hash-tag #PAULUSOROCHALLENGE; Past and present PUC lawyers are not allowed to be a part of the challenge; The competition applies to members of the Bar from 1-10 years whose practicing fees have been paid; There will be extra points for gender related cases, child abuse & humanitarian matters.

The Judges are expected to select six (6) winners with the most compelling cases, to be rewarded with Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000 .00) each.  There will be 1 winner per zone for outstanding Pro- Bono cases handled.

So far the Judges are closing up their evaluations and assessment of hundreds of entries, which have been selected on a zonal basis.

The panel of judges are made up of Prof. Fabian Ajogwu SAN; former Attorney General of Ogun State and expert litigator, Abimbola Akeredolu and Essien Udom, who has devoted the last two years of his life to pro bono cases outside of Lagos and has considerable and current first-hand experiences in such cases. The Judges are in charge of the evaluation of entries and the selection of winners.

It would be recalled that the law firm of Paul Usoro & Co (PUC), in October 2017 announced the commencement of the Paul Usoro challenge.

The initiative is aimed at rewarding the selfless sacrifice of Lawyers who take on Pro Bono cases.