Eminent lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) last week in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, marked his 50th anniversary at the Bar. The event, which featured the inauguration of a new office and launch of two books, attracted the A-list. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA was there.
Ever seen renowned lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) digging it on the dance floor? He did just that in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last week and onlookers marvelled at his skill.
With his wife, Yeye Modupe, the octogenarian clutched the horsetail which was extended to him by the lead singer of a traditional dance troupe.
Many began to wonder what magic Babalola would perform with the tool which he held for a while. Then he whispered to his wife, who also held a horsetail and the couple rose from their seats on the high table and walked towards the dancers. Waving the horsetails, their action provoked laughter.
It was breathtaking! 50 years of a flourishing legal practice, and Babalola is still firing from all cylinders. Last Tuesday, the quintessential legal icon and philanthropist marked 50 years of his call to Bar with pomp and ceremony.
The Ekotedo, Mokola, Ibadan premises of his Emmanuel Chambers where he inaugurated a new office complex and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) multipurpose Hall in Iyanganku, Ibadan, where a lecture/book launch were held in his honour, were a beehive of activities. The events drew the crème-de-la-crème across legal, political, royal and business circles. The dignitaries showered encomiums on Babalola, at an occasion tagged: “Aare Afe Babalola 50 Years at the Bar.”
It was simply a display of wigs and crowns. Notable lawyers, monarchs, traditional rulers, and technocrats first thronged the chambers before ‘reconnecting’ at the NBA hall for the lecture. The event was akin to a reunion. Many who had passed through Babalola’s chambers before setting up theirs were there.
A small crowd thronged his chambers on the Mokola/Dugbe expressway to behold the dignitaries that arrived at the venue in their glory, one after the other.
The atmosphere, became charged when former President Olusegun Obasanjo arrived. He responded to chants of “Baba Iyabo” from those that gate crashed into the venue despite the heavy security.
Then the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and Olugbo Of Ugbo Kingdom Oba Fredrick Akinruntan stormed the venue with their retinue of aides and posh cars.
Babalola was decked in a sky blue suit, a black-blue tie with orange stripes, and a pair of black shoes to match; his wife donned an orange apparel with a jacket that bore a black flowery design on an orange-like background.
Decked in white agbada with purple dots, Obasanjo, who was chairman on the occasion, was as usual in his humorous best. His short speech was a temporary comic relief to the excited audience.
Reliving his days as president, he said he made some mistakes adding that the celebrator was one of those mistakes.
“I made a mistake when I appointed him (Babalola) as the pro-chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG). Many people also considered it a big mistake but it turned out to be a successful mistake,” Obasanjo said, throwing the gathering into laughter.
According to him, Babalola proved his mettle at UNILAG by emerging the best pro-chancellor twice and producing the best vice-chancellor under his administration, capping it up by establishing the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
Denying that he is Babalola’s client, Obasanjo said he would rather see himself as a beneficiary of the SAN’s legal services, than a patron.
“Let me correct an impression some of you are making here that I am a client to Aare. But I will rather see myself as a beneficiary of Aare’s legal services, and his industry and passion for work which we must all emulate,” he said.
Obasanjo said he and the celebrator shared a lot in common. He said aside being old buddies, they possessed a miniature image, are dark skinned, but above all, are great farmers, drawing another bout of laughter from guests.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who cut short his trip to China, said he did so because “Baba deserves the attention of all.”
“What better way can we celebrate our Baba than being here to rejoice with him. Baba is one of the few distinguished Nigerians who made it from a humble background to become one of the best lawyers, not only in Nigeria but the world at large.”
Most of those who came onto the podium showered encomiums on ‘Baba’ as he is fondly called.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), who once served in Babalola’s chamber recounted how hardworking and passionate he is to the legal profession.
“His (Babalola) day in the chamber begins at 8am, and that is when he is not travelling outside Ibadan for a case. With a short break in the afternoon from about 3p.m and in the evening from 6p.m till about 10pm, with occasional stretches to 11p.m. For him, everyday of the week, including Sunday, is a work day.
“Aare loves the law. He lives for the law and no wonder the law has made him great.”
Yusuf Alli (SAN) said: “This event is elevating, encouraging; and it shows that if a man is hardworking, he will stand tall among men.
“The lesson I draw from this is that uprightness, hardwork, honesty and faith in God pay. Baba Afe is a great human being.”
In his tribute, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN) said: “One great thing about this teacher of lawyers, and Nigeria’s greatest producer of the highest number of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is that he is a man with a large heart. He accommodates all and he is a detribalised Nigerian.
“There is hardly any counsel that passes through him that will not become a renowned practitioner as he exposes all to the rudiment and nitty gritty of law. He is a workaholic and easily falls in love with whoever appears ready for his grooming and learning.”
Wale Olanipekun (SAN), who presented the two books: Thoughts of a legal icon and Current legal issues in contemporary Nigeria, said the books were veritable literatures which cut across board. “They are ideal for students of Law who dream to make it big like the celebrator,” he said.
Olanipekun, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan said: “Aare’s achievement in the law profession is known across the world. So what I mean is that these books are tools, especially for young minds still curious to know how Baba rose from humble background to a global figure. That is why I said it is not only books for lawyers alone but anybody who wishes to succeed.”
Babalola thanked the guests and the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Oyo State chapter, which presented a play in his honour the previous day.
The play, he said, revealed the ills plaguing the country. He urged all to work together on the Nigerian project.
“What ails the project Nigeria is dishonesty, mismanagement of funds, corruption, poor planning and execution at all levels, strikes and cultism in our tertiary institutions. There is an urgent need to administer the correct dose of treatment to cure these ailments; otherwise, project Nigeria may die. A serious disease needs drastic treatment. The answer is a new constitution and not palliative treatment termed amendment to a deceased federal constitution,” Babalola said.
Babalola recounted how he cut his legal tooth under the late Justice Olu Ayoola. Nearly two years after he joined the late Judge’s law firm, he left to establish his own chamber – Afe Babalola and Co, where majority of the cases he handled then were magistrate court matters and later divorce cases. Through dint of hardwork, he said, he soon broke away, delving into landmark cases many of which he won.
In attendance were Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Abdulahi Ahmed Yola, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his Ekiti counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Ekiti State governor Segun Oni; former Judge of the World Court Prince Bola Ajibola; Ohinoyi of Ebiraland Ado Ibrahim; first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Folake Solanke; Chairman, Energy Group Dr Jimoh Ibrahim; Minister of Police Affairs Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) among others.
