Square College, Lagos, has secured a place in the grand final of Season 9 of the I Beg to Differ secondary school debate tournament after edging Fountain School, Jikwoyi, Abuja, in a closely contested semifinal.
The second semifinal, held on Monday, centred on the motion, “Judiciary Is Still the Last Hope of the Common Man.”
Representing the proposition, Fountain School argued that despite challenges within the judicial system, the courts remain the only formal constitutional avenue for holding those in power accountable and protecting citizens’ rights.
They cited landmark judicial decisions, including a Supreme Court ruling that struck down discriminatory customary inheritance practices, as evidence of the judiciary’s role in protecting vulnerable citizens.
Square College however, challenged the practicality of describing the judiciary as a dependable last hope for the average Nigerian.
They pointed to court backlogs, high legal costs, delayed judgments and declining public confidence, arguing that a justice system that many ordinary citizens struggle to access cannot easily be regarded as their last hope.
The closely fought contest was decided by a combination of the adjudicators’ scores and audience votes.
Square College secured 71.5 points from the adjudicators, compared with Fountain School’s 70 points.
Fountain School won the audience vote with 56 per cent against Square College’s 44 per cent.
After the scores were aggregated, Square College emerged with 75.9 points, narrowly defeating Fountain School, which finished with 75.6 points — a margin of just 0.3 points.
The result means Square College will face Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Karu, Abuja, in the Season 9 national final.
The grand champion will receive a ₦5 million top prize.
Meanwhile, Fountain School will battle Grace High School, Lagos, in the third-place contest.
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