“I always love to be the voice of the voiceless.” Barr. Agugua Somto Benita.

The year 2025 seems to be the golden age of the legal profession in Umuaka as the year continues to set the record for producing a good number of female lawyers, a feat that has never been achieved in the local government councils around Umuaka. It appears that Uba Umuaka community which was conspicuously missing when a couple of months ago, when 7 new wigs were called to the Nigerian Bar, has reestablished her academic prominence and leading status through the call to bar of yet another young female wig, Miss Agugua Somtochukwu Benita.

Last week, Umuaka Times went to town in search of the new wig for a brief interview and eventually cornered her for a brief interview.

Excerpts:

Good afternoon Barrister. We are reporters from Umuaka Times.

Welcome sir.

Please tell us your name and your community.

My name is Barrister Agugua Somtochukwu Benita. I am from Uba community in Umuaka.

Which University did you graduate from?

I graduated from Imo State University IMSU.

Please tell us briefly what inspired you to read law.

What inspired me to read law? The fact is that I always love to be the voice of the voiceless.

Oh that is wonderful. Would you love to practice?

Yes I will practice.

How was the journey like so far?

The journey wasn’t an easy one at all; it’s a sweet and bitter experience, but what mattered to me was the goal of being called to the largest bar in Africa.

And which bar is that?

The Nigerian Bar or course.

What does it take to be called to the Nigerian Bar?

It takes courage, patience, determination and consistency to finally get to the end point. I’m proud I’m finally living in my dream come true at a very young age.

Which day were you called to bar?

I was called to bar on the 25th day of September 2025.

If you are given an opportunity to advise other Umuaka girls who want to read law, what will your advice be?

My humble advice to all other girls in Umuaka trying to read law is very simple, don’t ever give up, keep fighting, don’t stop trying, and just believe that failure is not an option.

That is a great one. There must be some people you would like to thank for making you what you are today. Please mention their names.

First, my vote of thanks goes to God Almighty who made it possible for me to be here today, and to my Hero, my God on earth in the person of Mr Emeka Eddy Duruoha (my Dad), the reason I am where I am today and to my mom (Mrs Stella Chisom Duruoha). I want to say thank you to them in a special way.

Who are others? Please mention their names as well.

My big uncle (Professor Charles Duruoha), Barrister Goddy Udeagwu, Prof Episteme Kingsley Obioha and wife (Barrister Oyinye Obioha) I’m saying thank you all with all my heart. You all were with me in one way or the other in this tough journey. I am very proud to finally say I didn’t disappoint expectations.

Is that all?

No sir. Doctor Chris Nwachukwu is another personality whose contributions and support will be highly impossible to ignore. He remains one of my biggest backbones in this journey to the land of wig and gown. I also want to thank some of my colleagues, fellow students, lecturers and many others I can’t recall their names for their prayers, encouragements and support. I am happy that we all made it to this point successfully.

Thank you once again Barrister Agugua Somtochukwu Benita. Umuaka Times wishes you success in your chosen carrier.

Thank you sir.