By Dele Adesina

Here is a review of the publication, For The Love Of Their Nation: Lawyers As Agents Of Change In Nigeria, authored by Mustapha Kunle Ogunsakin

Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, captured the very essence of the book in his Foreword when he said, “the book chronicles the pungent and piercing thoughts of the creme de la crème of the legal profession who have all spoken out of the abundance of their hearts ‘for the love of their nation.’ Mr. Kunle Ogunsakin has bequeathed a rare and exceptional gift to Nigeria and the Nigerian people. The inspiration behind the work is divine, the passion is intense, the energy is patriotic, the content is enchanting and pinching to the conscience of those who occupy the corridors of power, the structure is communicative as well as expansive, and the personalities whose thoughts are amplified herein are legendary”.

What was Kunle Ogunsakin’s motivation? What was his aim and objective in embarking on this memorable work? Much more importantly, what qualified him to do this work? The Kunle Ogunsakin that I know, and I think I know him very intimately believes that nothing is impossible. In other words, everything is possible and if everything is possible, then, everything is realizable. To Kunle, nothing is too big for his heart to conceive, and therefore, nothing is too big for his hands to handle. This simply I believe, answers the first question.

The book

Now, his objective in writing this book can be found in his Preface to the book itself. According to him, “the aim is to celebrate Nigerian lawyers who have made tremendous impact in their chosen area, which in turn has been of immense benefit to the people”. He continued “My hope is that this book will make their contributions permanent for all times. I also hope that it will encourage the younger generation to go the extra mile in surpassing the achievements of these people.”

I cannot proffer a better answer to the question what qualified Kunle to write this book than the reasoning of Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN in his Foreword to the book when he said, “Although not a lawyer by choice, Kunle Ogunsakin has researched on law and produced readable and inspiring legal literature on law and jurisprudence (arguably) more than most leading lawyers in Nigeria. He loves the profession of law with a passion, while the entirety of his being is committed to the smooth inter relationship of human beings through the instrumentality of law. He writes on and promotes law, both in his actions and deeds. You always find him in the company of lawyers. He reads and forays into legal minds. It is thus not surprising that he has mid-wifed this sumptuous treatise aptly titled FOR THE LOVE OF THEIR NATION: LAWYERS AS AGENTS OF CHANGE IN NIGERIA”.

The book is a compendium of interviews on critical legal issues and personal profiles of some of the outstanding Legal Practitioners which the author had the privilege of coming across in the course of his career.

The book is divided into five parts, namely: The Judges, Attorneys-General both Federal and States, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Strong Legal Voices and the fifth part on Women in compliance with the spirit of gender sensitivity. Altogether there are forty-nine chapters on various topical and contemporary issues such as Judges must protect the sanctity of the court by Judge Bola Ajibola SAN formerly of International Court of Justice at the Hague, Anti-graft War must start from the Top by the renowned and irrepressible Honourable Justice Kayode Eso JSC of blessed memory.

Others are Oputa’s Immortal Words by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa JSC also of blessed memory, In Defence of Women’s Rights Why Widows Rights Should Be Enforced, Developing Niger State People Through Grassroot Law, Give the youth a chance to rule Nigeria, Nigerians Must Grow the Culture of Rule of Law and many more.

The book featured several outstanding and accomplished Judges, Justices and many quintessential Legal Practitioners both at the inner and the outer Bar. The names include but not limited to the followings: Hon. Justice Oguntade, Hon Justice Samson Uwaifo, in addition to those I have mentioned earlier. The sitting Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, the legendary and colossus of the Legal Profession Chief Rotimi Williams SAN, of blessed memory, the indefatigable Olisa Agbakoba SAN, past president NBA, Chief G.O.K Ajayi SAN of blessed memory, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, (APC Vice Presidential Candidate) Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Charles Candide Johnson SAN and the irrepressible and stormy petrel of the legal profession Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN.

The first chapter of part one contained the interview with Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN one of the most accomplished and influential legal practitioners in Nigeria, titled “Judges must protect the sanctity of the court.” Emphasizing the age long principle of standard behavior that good name is better than riches. Prince Ajibola SAN, said in his interview “Let me start with something I learnt from Shakespeare. It says “Good name in men and women dear Lord, is the immediate dwell of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash for it is mine and has been slave to thousands. But he, who robs me of my name, robs one of that which enriches him not, but makes me poor indeed.” What is life, what is existence, what is living in itself without good name?

•Book reviewer, Dele Adesina

This question is still relevant today. No wonder the achievements of Prince Bola Ajibola SAN as a seasoned Legal Practitioner, President of Nigerian Bar Association, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation for six solid years; Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Chief Justice of Gambia and a Judge of the International Court of Justice, remain unmatchable.

The interview with Justice Chukwudifu Oputa can be found on page 68 to 71 of the book under the caption OPUTA’S IMMORTAL WORDS AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS INVESTIGATION COMMISSION (HRVIC). In his usual vintage self, this is what Justice Oputa JSC, the Lord Denning of Nigeria said concerning lawyers and Nigeria, “Lawyers in Nigeria must research into the meeting between the nobles and King George of England that eventually resulted in the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. How did the American people fashion out America? Has there been any plebiscite by the people of Nigeria to accept any constitution? Let us for once discountenance the constitution fashioned out by the Colonialists at Independence and its subsequent amendments in 1963, 1979 and 1999.

We must address the issue of how a people oriented constitution could be fashioned out for Nigeria. Do we accept that Nigeria is our country and do we accept that we are all Nigerians? If these two are accepted, then the greatest problem we have is ethnicity. Now, what makes ethnicity the problem? Is it ethnicity itself or our psyche? Ethnicity emanated from the British colonialists with their policy of divide and rule but do we have to continue with this ethnic mentality? Right now our mentality and thinking is still colonial.”

Part 2 of the book features the interview and profile of nine “Attorneys-General,” beginning with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Adoke SAN. Others are Chief Bayo Ojo SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and past President NBA, Mr. Ade Ipaye, Attorney General of Lagos State, Malik Umar Attorney General of Kano State, Mr Charles Ajuyah SAN, Attorney General of Delta state, Abdullahi Bawa, Attorney General of Niger state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede SAN, Attorney General of Ondo State and Anthony George Ikoli SAN, former Attorney General of Bayelsa State.

Stating his guiding principle as the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Adoke SAN, said that the government in which he is serving will be guided by the dictates of the Rule of Law and due process as required of any democratically elected and responsible government. He stated that the triumph of the Rule of Law and due process, compliance with the letter and spirit of the constitution constitute his priority areas.

Chief Bayo Ojo SAN, was passionate and committed to reforms in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria. He was particularly concerned about the state of prisons and believes that only a total overhaul of the system can bring succor and sanity to both the prisoners and other stakeholders.

The clarion call of the Attorney General of Ondo State Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, is that Nigeria should give the youths a chance to rule Nigeria so that the nation can take advantage of the vibrancy of ideas and patriotic tendencies manifest between the age of 20 and 35. You can read more about Eyitayo’s concerns on page 112 to 114.

Nigeria must embrace State Police. That was the central message of Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Lagos State. To him, if a man is supposed to be a Law Enforcement Agent, he must understand the local language, the local way, the culture and the locality where he operates. According to the erudite Professor, “all over the world, policing is community based. It is local. If policing is not local, it is ridiculous; it cannot achieve its objectives. The question therefore, is not whether we want State Police or we don’t want it, it is the only sensible thing to do.”

Part 3 of the book records the interview and profile of 23 Legal Practitioners all of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria from page 124 to 227. The section begins with the intimidating profile of the “colossus at 60 years at the Bar” Chief Fredrick Rotimi Williams SAN. In the words of the author, “Timi the Law” stands out in the world of advocacy like a colossus and his success is incomparable in the history of Law Practice in Nigeria. Following closely is the profile of Chief G.O.K Ajayi SAN. Everyone who knows him testifies to his Spartan life style, integrity and candour. A frontline legal practitioner, a personification of gentility and a gentleman of gentlemen. You can read more about this enigma on page 128 to 131 of the book.

The story of the indefatigable Alao Aka-Bashorun certainly and indisputably one of the best presidents the Nigerian Bar Association has ever produced can be found on page 132 to 138 of the book. His vibrant administration as NBA president, his dynamism as a person and his charisma as a personality is in the consciousness of everyone in this country.

Aka-Bashorun Esq. one of the best minds Africa has ever produced constituted the NBA into a very potent pressure group to fight the ills of military government. As president of the association, he was reputed to have assisted the first ever lawyers’ boycott of courts due to government’s disobedience of court orders in 1988. He never ceased to criticize the government on its wrong doings. For more inspiring stories of Alao Aka-Bashorun and of course his very unfortunate and pathetic travails on his sick bed before his death, see Page 132-138 of the book.

“I will fight the murder of Dele Giwa to the end of my life.” Surely, that rings a bell to the ears of everyone as to the next person I have chosen to talk about briefly exercising my discretion as I stated earlier. Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the first to combine the titles of Senior Advocate of the Masses with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a fiery lawyer, a forensic advocate and an intellectual of immense proportion interview can be found on page 139-146. It is a must read by all.

I will say no more on Gani Fawehinmi SAN of blessed memory. The profile of his comrade-at-arms another storming petrel of the legal profession who by the grace of God is still alive and is carrying on from where Chief Gani Fawehinmi stopped Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, can be found on page 167-171.

Aare Emmanuel Afe Babalola SAN, a leading light in the profession, a legal luminary of outstanding brilliance, a highly committed educationist, and an astute administrator’s profile is titled Nigerians Must Cultivate The Culture Of Reading Again. In the words of the author, on page 147, paragraph 1 “In life, one comes across different kinds of people: some grow and rise in fame, others dwindle in fortune and name. Aare Emmanuel Afe Babalola SAN belongs to the former. He is not only an epitome of excellence but an exceptional thinker and master planner, who, though, from a very humble background has succeeded in reaching the pinnacle of his career.”

•Prof Yemi Osinbajo unveiling the book at the event

The legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo SAN quoted in the book on page 149 said concerning Aare Afe Babalola “ I see Chief Afe Babalola doing well in life. He is not only a great Nigerian, he is a great man of Africa, an epitome of excellence.” Please read more about this great and tireless man on page 147-151 of the book.

Recognizing that Rule of Law is not only the basis of any democracy but also has become an issue of life and death, Mr. Dele Adesina SAN advocated that Nigerians must nurture the Rule of Law. According to him, “Rule of Law as we know it pre-supposes that everything must be done according to law and there should be no arbitrariness. That everyone is under the law and there must be no impunity. Due process must be followed both by Government and the governed. People as a culture must obey the law and any infraction or disobedience of the law must be accompanied with necessary sanctions.”

Regarding the decisions of the Supreme Court, Mr. Adesina said “Get me right. I am not asking people to agree with the final decisions of the Supreme Court but they have no choice than to accept the finality of the decision of the Supreme Court.”

Another great activist, a front runner and someone who has used his talents and intellects to shape this nation through the instrumentality of the law is Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, past President Nigerian Bar Association, founder of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and a former member of the Presidential Tax Force on Petroleum Revenue Management. A former research fellow of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, Olisa Agbakoba according to this book is a true Nigerian born in Jos in the North, schooled in the East, and working in the West.

It is stated on page 162 of the book that “In and out of the Bar, Agbakoba’s achievements are all too clear for all to see.” He founded the United Action for Democracy. He led Human Rights Law Service as a senior counsel. Olisa Agbakoba is noted to have founded and presided over the Nigerian Shipping Chamber of Commerce to give the sub-sector of the economy the required bite as a major contributor to the economic developments of the nation. Read more about this workaholic on page 161-164 of the book.

Other thought-provoking interviews and profiles in part 3 include but not limited to Dedication, Loyalty Are Key To Good Legal Practice, by Kemi Pineheiro SAN, the judiciary Must Be Independent by Lateef Fagbemi SAN, The Challenges of Implementing The Cabottage Act by Mike Igbokwe SAN, Nigeria Needs Urgent Constitutional Reforms by Charles Candide Johnson SAN, The Development of Nigeria Must Involve All by Yusuff Ali SAN, Government Should Send Al Majiris to School by Ustaz Usman Yunus SAN.

Finally in this part, the profile of Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN who also wrote the foreword to the book is contained on page 209-214. Chief Wole Olanipekun believes that law as a noble profession should be used to build and develop the society.

Part 4 begins on page 228 all through to 256. It contains the interviews and profiles of Legal Practitioners described by the author as strong legal voices. Such voices include George Etomi Esq. the guru of corporate legal practice. His interview is titled Government Should Only Face Policy In Telecoms Industry. The book will help you to know that it is not all about law or making money with George Etomi. I discovered on page 233 of the book that George is also a Vicar’s Warden and the People’s Warden in the church. In his words, “As you grow older, it is important to know where your priorities lie and to get closer to your maker”

We also have the interview of Fola Arthur-Worrey, the cerebral, former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice of Lagos State talking about Government as God’s agent on earth.

Other interviews and profiles in this part include Professor Adewopo Adebambo, an intellectual property expert and Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, an outstanding Assistant Inspector –General of Police making a case for the need for the National Assembly to look into Police welfare in Nigeria.

Part 5 deals with women from page 261-276. It features Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo, the first female Dean Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Mrs. Tola Rotimi, the Director of the Office of Public Defenders Lagos State on how her directorate rescued 13year old girl from forced marriage. Mrs. Joy Bob-Manuel making a case for free legal service. Mrs. Joy Bob Manuel was the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

Well, this is my Ebenezer. Anytime I have cause to review a publication, I do run into contradiction between upholding the objectivity test of a book review and my scriptural injunctions. The objectivity test which is key, demands stating both the good, the bad and the ugly about the book. However, I recognize my scriptural responsibility to acknowledge every good thing which is in us and in all that God enables us to do, emphasizing all that is good and beautiful while de-emphasizing those things that are bad.

In finding a compromise, let me say that the book is substantially a good effort by the author. It’s binding is beautiful. It will guarantee durability. The front cover is attractive and it gives expression of the content of the book at a glance. I must however say that I discovered a few wrong spellings that are purely typographical. But I confess they are very few. The fonts are very small and can strain the eyes of the reader, consequently, this may render the book hard to read. I think that, the place and date of the interviews ought to have been duly stated in the book.

More fundamentally, the ratio of the women interviewed was very small compared with the men.

Conclusion

Let me commend the initiative and efforts of Kunle Ogunsakin, the author of this book. I believe that people including but not limited to Lawyers can only be Agents of change in Nigeria if they genuinely and sincerely love their country. In a purpose-driven life, no one does anything for the sake of it.

–Dr. Dele Adesina, SAN, presented the review of the publication, For The Love Of Their Nation: Lawyers As Agents Of Change In Nigeria, authored by Mustapha Kunle Ogunsakin at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently