LAWYER PLEADS WITH INSTITUTION OVER VIRAL TIKTOK VIDEO OF GRADUATING NEKEDE POLYTECHNIC STUDENT

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Sharon Ogechi Okoroafor, a Student of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State, have gotten a lawyer to defend her after a post that went  viral on social media.

She posted the video on her Tiktok handle @sharon_moni after defending her Higher National Diploma (HND) project, saying bye-bye to Nekede while exclaiming that she graduated with the help of God and her Private part.

This statement has attracted the school management who has decided to investigate the matter as it claimed to be a threat to the institution.

In response to a statement released by the school management, Sharon’s lawyer appealed to the administration, stating that their client never meant to defame the character, standard and integrity of the school.

The statement reads in part,

“Attention:

The Rector

Federal Polytechnic Nekede

Owerri IMO State.

Re: THE CASE OF OKOROAFOR OGECHI SHARON(THE GRADUATING STUDENT OF FED POLYNEK IN A VIRAL VIDEO)

We are solicitors to OKEREAFOR OGECHI SHARON( our Client under our Pro Bono (Free Legal Services) on whose behalf we write this memo to you.

We are aware that she will be facing the school disciplinary panel this morning and we wish to use this medium to express our confidence that the panel will carry out their duties in compliance with the principles of Fair hearing,Good conscience and Natural Justice devoid of harassment, intimidation and threats.

We have met and discussed with our Client and evidence before us shows that she has no intention to defame the character, standard and integrity of the institution. In her words what happened in the said viral video was a slip of tongue as a result of her uncontrollable ecstacy over her graduation.Her intended words were “God and Pupsy” (Not P*ssy) in appreciation of the almighty God and her Dad.It is clear therefore that she had no intention whatsoever to use such a “fowl word” in the said viral video to cajole or blackmail the institution as no lecturer or name of the institution was mentioned or referred in the said viral video.

Our lawyers are already on ground at the institution now to follow up the proceedings at the panel against any form of intimidation or harassment. The integrity and standard of the said institution is not in doubt especially since my Senior brother, Rev Dr Arimanwa took over as the Rector.

Indeed, Justice is for all parties.

Kindly accept the assurances of our warmest regards.

Barr Ikechukwu Nwaopara

Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”