A member of the Nigerian Bar Association has written to rate the achievement of the immediate past NBA President high after a derogatory statement made by Chief Niyi Akintola SAN.
Read his statement below;
Good morning my dear distinguished Learned Colleagues.
Please, as Bar Leaders that we are by our standing at the Bar, I fervently appeal to us all not to over sensationalize the ongoing discussions regarding the very unfortunate statements made by Chief Niyi Akintola SAN.
I can attest to the fact that those statements are not a true representation and reflection of our well-meaning eminent Bar Leaders of Yoruba extraction.
The immediate past Olumide Akpata Administration of the NBA, at all times, enjoyed the unflinching support and encouragement of the uncountable elders and leading lights of legal profession who are illustrious sons and daughters of Yoruba, and who represent great values and best tradition of the Bar, including (but not limited to), the legendary Chief Afe Babalola SAN (who is about 94 years old), the 90 years old Chief Mrs Folake Solanke SAN (the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria), the venerable
Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu SAN, CON (former Federal Commissioner/Minister for Works, aged about 89 years old and 63 years at the Bar – called to the Greys Inn, England in 1959 and Nigerian Bar in 1960), the revered Chief Mrs Hairat Ade Balogun (Life Bencher, former Attorney General of Lagos State, and first female General Secretary of NBA), Prof Yemi Osibanjo SAN (Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN (Honourable Minister of Works & Housing, and former Governor of Lagos State), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN (sitting Governor of Ondo State and past President of NBA), Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN, Mrs Funke Adekoya SAN (former 1st Vice President of NBA), Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN, Tunde Busari SAN, Supo Sasore SAN (former Attorney General of Lagos State), Dr. Tunde Ajibade SAN, Prof Koyinsola Ajayi SAN, Obafemi Adewale SAN (past General Secretary of NBA), Prof Bankole Sodipo SAN, Ayodele Akintunde SAN, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN (past General Secretary of NBA, and the current President of Egbe Amofin – the Yoruba Lawyers Association), Wale Akoni SAN, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN, Yemi Candide-Johnson SAN, Femi Falana SAN, Dapo Akinosun SAN, Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu SAN, Chief Gbola Akinola SAN, Mrs Oyinkasola Badejo-Okunsanya, Mrs Folashade Alli, all the Attorneys General of all the South-West States, and others too numerous to mention, including several thousands of prominent senior and young lawyers. Many of these eminent personalities (and many more) always physically attended most of the events and meetings of the NBA under the leadership of Olumide Akpata, coupled with taking on numerous responsibilities, such as Committee Chairmanship and Membership, and contributing meaningfully to the success of the administration. Also, many of these personalities (and much more) were physically present in all the NBA events of the past week, including the Annual General Conference (AGC), the Pre-AGC NBA National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the Handing Over Ceremony, etc etc.
In fact, for the benefit of doubt, even Deacon Dele Adesina SAN attended the Conference and the handing over ceremony from the Olumide Akpata leadership to the Y. C. Maikyau SAN leadership, last Friday, 26th August 2022.
On this note, it is apparent that the learned Silk, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN (and maybe his very infinitesimal cronies), is on his own as a lone voice. His rantings are inconsequential and do not represent the views of majority of Yoruba lawyers. His rantings do not affect the glory or diminish the immeasurable achievements of or change any positive accomplishments of the Olumide Akpata Presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association, in any manner whatsoever or howsoever.
The fact cannot be overemphasized that the OLUMIDE AKPATA Administration was a huge success. He surely overdelivered on his promise to “MAKE THE BAR WORK FOR ALL”. To the glory of Almighty God, the Bar now works for all the segments and strata of the legal profession, and will surely continue to work for all of us, rather than the old order of the past where only very few cabals cornered everything of the Bar to themselves and their families and forebears and kinsmen/kinswomen and tribesmen/tribeswomen only, etc etc.
Olumide Akpata led the Bar with an uncommon courage and determination, and has restored dignity, prestige, respect and honour to the NBA and the Nigerian Legal profession, generally, as a formidable voice that must be heard and listened to and carried along in the scheme of things in the affairs of Nigeria, Africa, and the entire world. Olumide Akpata has surely left indelible footprints 👣 in annals of history, and posterity will surely score him as an A+++++++.
I, therefore, urge us all to eschew any iota of divisive tribal or sectional sentiments or bigotry, and remain resolute and focused on joining hands to build bridges across the country/globe to make our Bar to continue to be a united and stronger Bar.
Long Live the Nigerian Bar Association!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria 🇳🇬!
Thank you, and best regards.
RHC Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri SAN, FCIArb (UK)
The Yerima of Auchi Kingdom