Amra Onize Salihu, a 500 level Law student at the University of Abuja, has emerged overall winner of the 9th Inter Universities Speech Contest organised by the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, held on July 22 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Salihu represented Nigeria at the regional competition after winning the national selection exercise conducted by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. She defeated contestants from The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana to claim the regional title, receiving a winner's plaque, a certificate of honour and a cash prize of 1,000 United States dollars.

The Acting Director of Information and University Relations at the University of Abuja, Mr Habib Yakoob, confirmed the result in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Another 500 level Law student, Abah Goodness Ojonoma, attended the event as an observer.

The Director of the Law Clinic, Dr Nasiru Mukhtar, coached the team alongside Mr J. R. Gogol of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, who provided technical support. Mukhtar expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the students displayed remarkable dedication throughout the preparation process.

"We are very proud of this achievement. The students who represented the Faculty of Law, the University of Abuja and Nigeria were very committed to winning this contest," Mukhtar said.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi congratulated Salihu and commended the Faculty of Law and the Law Clinic for their role in the students' training and mentorship.

"Our students from the Faculty of Law have once again made the university proud. I congratulate them on this great achievement. We will continue to work even harder to enhance the university's global visibility through academic excellence and outstanding achievements such as this," Fawehinmi said.