Rafatu Asipita Mohammed Ohiare (LEGS ’17, Nigeria)

November 4, 2016

Rafatu is studying at CEU this year, thanks to the supporters of the CEU Alumni Scholarship.

In her own words:

A Law graduate of Nigeria’s University of Abuja, I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2015.

Growing up in a society where the principles of truth, freedom of thought, freedom of Information, freedom of expression and religion are sidelined spurred me to challenge the status quo and push for active civic engagement and social justice in Nigeria and abroad.

As a participant of the Law Clinic at the undergraduate level, I used the Freedom of Information Act of Nigeria to empower the people of the Angwan Zara Community in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. In 2014, I helped secure the release of 36 pretrial detainees who had been on prolonged detention at Nigeria’s Kuje Prison.

My internship with Open Society Justice Initiative gave me better insight into the challenges facing access to justice, human rights and democratic governance in Africa. CEU will help me attain the skills needed to engage these challenges. I’m most grateful to the alumni donors for making this possible. Thank you!

Check out Rafatu's blog post sharing her on stage experience at the Vagina Monologues.

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