Lagos State judiciary last week held a valedictory court session in honour of Late John Olusegun Odubela, SAN. The event attracted stakeholders in the judiciary and politics. They all agreed that Odubela was a disciplined legal practitioner who left his foot print on the sand of time, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA
Judges, Benchers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) , junior lawyers, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), converged on Lagos last Monday to honour and pay tributes to the late John Olufemi Odubela (SAN) who died March 15 in Lagos.
The occasion was at a valedictory session held in his honour by the Lagos State Judiciary at Ikeja High Court complex. Aside from the stakeholders in the judiciary, Senator Dino Milaye
The Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba described the late Isabel’s as a person who left his sign on the sand of time.
Justice Alogba who was represented by Admin Judge, Lagos, Justice Taofikat Oyekan-Abdullai said of Odubela: “He was a person who knows where he was coming from and where he was going.
“He sets a target for himself on what he wanted to become in life and this served as a guide for his achievements in life. “
He recalled that Odubela was a commercial ‘danfo’ driver before he went to study law and became a lawyer and rose to become a SAN.
Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo(SAN) represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, said, “Odubela was very courteous, dependable, selfless and an experienced litigator.”
He recalled his birthday, two years ago during which he said the deceased went out of his way to make the day a special one.
“We happened to have attended the International Bar Conference in Seoul, and unknown to me, he had organised a dinner to commemorate the day. That was Odubela, he was kind hearted and had a personal touch with people he interacted with.
He said his last encounter with Odubela was about four weeks ago when the deceased forwarded a message to commiserate with the State following the EndSARs protest.
Former Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Mustapha Abdullahi said he was still in shock over the death of Odubela.
Justice Abdullahi described the deceased as a hard working and disciplined legal practitioner and a patriotic Nigerian.
He said his demise was a big loss to the legal profession.
“He put his all in all cases he handled and believed no man should suffer injustice.
“John Odubela may be dead but he will continue to live in all those who came in contact with him”, he said.
He said his partner, Rickey Tara (SAN) is still in a state of shock over his death and couldn’t make it to the valedictory session due to medical challenges.
The Body of Benches represented by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) described the deceased as a friend.
“He realised his ambition and reached the zenith of his profession within the time he set for himself. “
He added that Odubela recognised friends and believed in the course of justice.
The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) represented by F. O. Akinrele (SAN) said the deceased impacted positively in the life of all those he touched particularly those in the legal profession. According to him, his life also represents comradeship.
Chairman NBA, Epe, Ikeja, Lagos, Ikorodu and Badagry in their various tributes described the deceased as a mentor to many young lawyers.
Ademola Koko, Chairman Epe NBA said he was a rights activist in his own way.
“He impacted on so many souls. He participated in many moot trials of law students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye”.
Koko described Odubela as a loyal and firm person, noting that he stayed with the firm of Ricky Tarfa, SAN, throughout his legal practice.
Chairman, Ikeja NBA, Aguegbodo Bathlomen said the like of Odubela was rare in the legal profession noting that he started and ended his legal career in the firm of Ricky Tarfa.
“He impacted on all those who came in contact with him, not just friends, and family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand when it matters most.
“His life and practice was a lesson to the legal profession”, he added.
Chairman NBA Badagry, M.A. Sodipo said the deceased described him as “a man of honour, a man of integrity who achieved a lot on earth within a short time. His contribution to the legal profession cannot be over-emphasised but will continue to be remembered in the legal circle.”
Chairman NBA Ikorodu Abimbola Ojedokun said Odubela’s deep knowledge of the law was what attracted him to the deceased before he discovered that they were relations which he said further strengthened his interest in him.
Ojedokun said of Odubela: “his life was a perfect example of what the life of a learned friend should be. He enjoyed respect and courteousness of the bench. He was dedicated and loyal to his principal till death.”
The chairman of NBA, Lagos, Yemi Akangbe said Odubela was a senior lawyer who put himself to the service of others.
OOu Law Alumni President, Segun Dipeolu said he was a wonderful person in character and reputation. He said alumni association was deeply pained by his death.
In a vote of thanks, his daughter, Dr Timilehin Odubela on behalf of the family expressed gratitude for the valedictory session held in honour of their father. She said their father had a passion for the legal profession and was committed to the rule of law. “he knows where he was coming from and where he was going.”
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