When I finished from law school in 2018, I was eager to start my legal career. Like many fresh graduates, I knocked on several doors. I visited three law firms, and each one told me the same thing — "No vacancy."
I was young, enthusiastic, and visibly hopeful. One day, I walked into a certain man’s office, unaware that he was a lecturer as well as a lawyer. To my surprise, he seemed thrilled to see me.
> “I’ve been needing a junior associate for a long time,” he said.
“I’m a very busy man. I’ll start you on a ₦50,000 salary.”
Grateful and excited, I agreed. He told me to resume the next day.
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A Day That Changed Everything
I arrived early the next morning, ready to take on case files and follow him to court. But instead, he said there were “no matters for today.”
Then, he asked me to come closer.
He looked at me and suddenly asked,
> “Do you know what doggy style means?”
I was confused.
> “No, sir. I don’t.”
He looked surprised — and almost amused.
> “How can you graduate from university and not know what doggy is?”
I responded honestly:
> “We didn’t offer any course like that. I’ve seen dogs, of course, but I don’t know what you mean.”
Then I started listing some of the law courses I took in school.
That’s when he leaned in again and said:
> “If I decide to teach you about doggy, would you be open to learning?”
I replied innocently,
> “Yes, of course — will I get a certificate after the course?”
He laughed — a long, unsettling laugh.
Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed my hand and tried to force it down onto his lap.
Shocked, I yelled:
> “Sir, what is going on?!”
He whispered,
> “Relax… This is your first lecture in Doggy 101. After this, your salary will increase.”
It was in that moment — when his hands started roaming my body — that I realized this was no misunderstanding. This was harassment.
I slapped him so hard and ran out of that office.
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The Aftermath
The next day, he called me.
> “Never come near my office again.”
That was it.
No job. No salary. No justice.
That’s how I lost my first-ever opportunity as a lawyer — because I refused to be silent, and I refused to be used.
---
✊ A Message to Young Women
If you’ve ever been in a situation like this, know that you are not alone. Speak up. Walk away. Protect your dignity, no matter the cost.
To everyone reading this: we must do better in protecting women — especially young professionals just starting out.
> Harassment is not a joke. Power should never be a weapon.
~ Nuella Igwe
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