One of Nigeria’s oldest practising lawyers, Pa Tunji Gomez, is dead.
He was 90.
In a statement, the Lagos branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chukwuka Ikwuazom, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Pa Tunji Gomez. Pa Gomez was, until his death yesterday (Tuesday) night, the oldest practising lawyer in Nigeria and a deeply loved member of the Premier Bar.
“The branch had, in recognition of his excellent service and uncommon devotion to the branch, celebrated his 90th birthday in style a few months ago.
“Our deepest condolences go to his immediate family. We will greatly miss Pa Gomez and pray that his soul will rest in perfect peace.
“We will make further announcements in due course.”
Popularly called “It’s a matter of conscience,” Pa Gomez was born in 1928. He enrolled at King’s College, Lagos, in 1944.
He reportedly led the 1948 strike at the college which significantly turned around the students’ fortunes.
The late Pa Gomez was part of the legal team that defended the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his celebrated treason trial in 1962.
He is also reputed as the first lawyer to sue the military government in Nigeria in the celebrated case of Madam Shapara vs. Lagos State government.
An avid yoga practitioner, the late Pa Gomez was a longstanding advocate for the welfare of young lawyers and was the founder of the Movement for the Abolition of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He authored a book, titled: Guide to Happy Marriage.
Lawyers have been paying tributes to the late Pa Gomez, according to citylawyermag.com.
A Life Bencher, Lady Debbie Obodoukwu, wrote: “Adieu, great legal luminary. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
The branch’s former spokesman Emeka Nwadioke said: “We do not mourn; we celebrate a great lawyer and a gentleman – a relentless and longstanding Bar activist, an iconoclastic jurist of the finest refinement. Rest, Pa Gomez. Rest, good pilgrim.”
A bar leader, Mr. Zik Obi, wrote: “Oh my God! This is a very sad piece of news and his death is a great loss to the branch and to all of us.
“Pa Gomez’s regular presence at our monthly meetings and other activities of the branch was really an inspiration to many. May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”
Tolani Edu-Adeola said: “The branch has lost a great man! May the soul of Pa Tunji Gomez rest in perfect peace, Amen.”
Another lawyer Anthony Atata said: “’One with God is majority’ I first heard this from Tunji Gomez, and ever since, I have adopted it. He was a good man.
“When we started Courtroom Mail in May 2009, we started with the story of the abolition movement, which was the biggest story of that time.
“Tunji Gomez inspired me a lot; he told me how he started the first private newspaper in Lagos called Lagos Pax. I will miss what he says to me at every NBA meeting: ‘Atata, where is your newspaper?’ May his soul rest in peace.”