Afenifere chieftain and National Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) Justice Adewale Thompson died 10 years ago. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits the life and time of the Awoist and his contributions to the socio-political development of the country.
He grew up at Odaliki Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland, where his illustrious fa-ther, the late Henry Gureje Thompson, lived and worked as a licensed surveyor. It is about two hundred kilometers away from Ilesa, Osun State, his ancestral home. His early experience shaped his world view as he climbed the ladder of life. When he died 10 years ago, Adewale Thompson did not leave without a memorial. The Yoruba nation mourned the passage of the celebrated adventurist, jurist, pan-Africanist, consummate politician, committed Awoist, philosopher, author, newspaper columnist, and elder statesman.
He was a chieftain of the defunct Action Group (AG), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Alliance for Democracy (AD). Throughout his political career, he never jumped ship. His devotion to principle was legendary. Tributes were showered on him when he was buried in Lagos. The summary of the encomium was that Justice Thompson was a man of honour, integrity and credibility, who shunned avarice, primitive accumulation and pursuit of vanity.
But, like his compatriots, he left behind a divided Yorubaland and a polarised Afenifere, whose vacuum the YCE, which he served as the secretary, could not fill. Thompson also left behind a country in pains, having being plundered by soldiers of fortune for many years and left to the care of uncaring political class endlessly pursuing private gains, instead of the common good.
In blissful retirement, the dogged fighter spent his twilight of life on reflections, whipping into line the deviant operators who were off the track by his blunt and corrective pronouncements. His weapons were his incisive wit, power of logic, persuasive talent and sense of objectivity, which endeared his analysis of topical issues to the stakeholders in Nigeria project, including the community of critics who held a contrary view. At 81, the colourful Yoruba leader was conquered by death.
But, like a thief in the night, death sneaked into the inner chamber of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), snathing away the elder statesman and colourful scribe who was on the fast lane to 82.
Thompson was a meticulous and charismatic political figure. He was an effective organiser, inspirer and mobiliser. He was a great debater. He may have learned the rudiments of city politics at the feet of his illustrious father, Ajayi Gureje Thompson (1892-1964), the famous licensed surveyor. For 16 years, (1954-1960), the Ijesa-born Lagosian was a member of Lagos Town Council. Like most youths of that period, Thompson was fascinated by the legendary Herbert Macaulay, Ejongboro, the father of Nigerian Nationalism, the Zikist Movement, inspired by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the eloquent speaker and great freedom fighter, who enlisted the younger generation in the battle against colonialism.
His father was happy that he had a son in his own image. He sent him to Hope High School, Lagos for his elementary education. From there, he proceeded to Baptist Academy, Lagos where he obtained the Cambridge School Certificate in 1940. One of his teachers was the wordsmith, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, who later left teaching for journalism before proceeding to England to study Law. Thompson was re-united with Akintola in the AG before the 1962 crisis which again drew a wedge between the former teacher and pupil.
Ajayi Gureje Thompson appreciated the dignity of labour. Thus, he was delighted when his son was employed as a Third Class Clerk at the Post and Telegraphs Department, Marina, Lagos. That was between 1941 and 1944. In the colonial service, Thompson worked as a telegraphist, a wireless operator, and an accounts clerk. But, the thirst for higher education drove him overseas where he was admitted for the Honours Course in Law at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating as a Moderator in Legal Science (B.A. MOD and holder of a LL.B in 1948) and M.A. (TCD) in 1952. In 1951, he was called to the English Bar, Grays Inn London Hilary before enrolling as solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria the same year. Between 1951 and 1967, Thompson had an impressive career in the bar. He was a senior partner in the law firm of Thompson and Coker Solicitor, at 11, Abibu Oki Street, Lagos. Legal historians recall that the brilliant lawyer handled some celebrated cases at the bar. He was the leading counsel for the Nigerian Farmers and Commercial Bank in the case of ‘The official Receiver of Nigeria versus The Nigerian Farmers and Commercial Bank’. The case dragged on for over eight years. Although he lost at the High Court and Supreme Court in 1953, he later won the case at the Privy Council, London in 1956. In the famous Elegba Juju case of 1961, Thompson was also the leading counsel for the 19 accused persons. They were all acquitted and discharged.
During the turbulent days, he was unwavering in his support for the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Remarkably, Thompson was the leading counsel for six accused person in the treasonable felony trial between 1962 and 1963 involving the AG leader and 26 members of his party. The legal practitioner also pitched his tent with the Lagos Market Women Association when Awolowo and Kajola markets, Mushin fell under the hammer of the Akintola-led Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) government of Western Nigeria. The proposed demolition of the market had a political undertone as the traders were rooting for AG. His legal intervention prevented the controversial demolition.
In 1960, the Balewa Government ran into troubled waters over its proposed defense pact with Britain. The AG opposed the controversial pact. The students of the University of Ibadan (UI), who believed that the agreement had the potential of eroding the independence recently won from Britain, stormed the National Parliament in Lagos to disperse the legislators. There was a clampdown on nine students, described by the government as ring leaders. They were charged to the Lagos Magistrate’s Court for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. Again, Thompson stood as a leading counsel for the students in the Defense Pact Case (1960). After a serious legal battle, they were discharged. An innovative lawyer, Thompson was also the first counsel to canvass the doctrine of contemporaneous accident in the country. He also won the battle up to the Supreme Court.
However, fortune did not smile on his political career, despite his devotion to Awo. In 1964, Thompson had offered himself for a popularity test. The coveted slot was the Lagos federal seat, considered crucial and strategic to AG. His opponent at the shadow poll was another loyal and committed party man, Sikiru Shitta-Bey, political scion of the legendary Seriki Shitta-Bey family of Isale-Eko, and dynamic Secretary of Action Group Youth Association. Both Thompson and Shitta-Bey were blazing the trail in the legal profession. They were Awo’s devotees. Neither of them was willing to step down. It was therefore, a nightmare for party leaders and elders to choose between the two brilliant and trust worthy party activists who enjoyed equal rating. The jostling for parliamentary power degenerated into crisis. The supporters of Thompson and Shitta-Bey began to flex muscles. This prompted the party to set up a committee to make recommendation. The panel headed by the late Bola Ige advised in its report that Shitta-Bey should contest the election. As a loyal party chieftain, Thompson accepted the verdict in good faith.
But, between 1960 and 1963, Thompson had served as a member of the Board of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), representing the Western Nigeria. This trailed his brief stint as Director and Chairman of G.L. Gaiser Nigeria Limited in 1960. Following the military take-over, Thompson became a judge of the High Court of Western State of Nigeria between 1967 and 1975.
Following the ban on politics in 1978, he rediscovered his old constituency, which had metamorphosed into the UPN led by his idol, Awolowo. Under the Bola Ige Administration, he served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. That was between 1979 and 1983. His compatriots in the cabinet were Pa Emmanuel Alayande, Bola Ige’s former teacher (Special Adviser on Education). Chief Sunday Afolabi (deputy governor), Chief Bisi Akande, (Secretary to the Government, and later deputy governor) Chief Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, (Education Commissioner), Chief Busari Adelakun (Local Govenrment and Chieftaincy Affairs), and Chief Morakinyo. As a commissioner, the late jurist brought his vast experience at the bar and bench to bear on debates at the council chambers. The cabinet tapped from his pool of wisdom.
Reminiscent of the 1962 AG crisis, another crisis led to a split in the UPN, ahead of the 1983 governorship primaries. This led to the exit of Afolabi, Adelakun and other top leaders of the party to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Thompson resisted the temptation to join a bad company. Instead, he rallied support for Ige, who nevertheless lost the election to Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo in controversial circumstances.
In 1999, although, he cast his lot with the AD, the Afenifere chieftain was already fed up with political partisanship. In his old age, he accorded priority to the unity of Yoruba race and capacity of its sons and daughters to re-create its destiny. He was very humorous. Whenever he sighted the late Afenifere leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya, he would demand that he should give him the respect befitting an elder, because he was older than him by one day. In reply, Adesanya would say: “Welcome my brother by one day.” But, as the crisis ravaged Afenifere, Thompson and Alayande concentrated efforts on the YCE.
Thompson was a moral voice and social critic. He often criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for reneging on his pre-election promise to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians. He decried the devaluation of progressive politicking and the lifestyle of new breed politicians, who lived in opulence and promoted corruption in high places. He also lent his voice to the agitation for true federalism. In his view, federalism was the bedrock of autonomy for the defunct regions, which were in healthy competition in the pre- and independence years. Thompson also advised that the country to return to a revenue sharing, based on the principles of derivation, need and national interest. Thompson also advocated for the convocation of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence.
Born on June, 1922 with a golden spoon in his mouth, he studied and practiced law, his first love, with passion. In all the societies he belonged, he towered like a colossus. He was the Assistant Secretary, Baptist Academy Old Students Association (1941), member, Trinity College Historical Society and it’s Library Committee (1947) and first African Secretary of Dublin Society (1947).
As secretary of the Association of Student of African Descent of Great Britain and Ireland, Dublin (1945-1948), he was a delegate at the pan-African congress in Manchester, England in 1945. Back at home, he became the Assistant Secretary Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) (1952-1958). National Patron, Baptist Academy Old Students Association (1995) and Secretary, Yoruba Tennis Club, (1960-1963). He was also named “Central Figure”, the Trinity College Dublin Alumni Association, and member, Royal Commonwealth Society, London.
An Anglican, Thompson was Chorister, St. John Church, Aroloya, Lagos (1933-1938), first Chairman, Young Men Christian Union, St. Jude’s Church, Ebute-Metta, (1941), member Iloro Young Men Society, St. John Cathedral, Iloro, Ilesa, Patron of Boys and Girls Brigade, All Saints Church Jerico, Ibadan. His name was in the Roll of Honour for distinction service for the church in n1999.
A holder of traditional chieftaincy titles of Lotun Aiyegunle of Ilesa (1982), Thompson also bagged two other honorary chieftancy titles: Bagbimo of Owu Ijebu and Aare Bamofin of Ode-Remo.
A prolific writer of ‘Megaforce’ fame in the Nigeria Tribune and seasoned author, his publications include Philosophy of Freedom (1951), Invisible World (1966), Pound For Penny (1977), African Believes. Science or superstition 1978), Philosophical Exercise (1982), the State and the Constitution (1982) and Manual for Justices of the Peace (1982).
Others are: A Treatise on war (1982), Biography for Dr. J. C. Vaughan Reminiscence at the Bar (1991), Song of the Angel (1992), Favoured by the gods (1992), Black People of the world (1995), All Saints Sermons (1996) and Secrets of Secret Societies (1978).
Thompson was also an eloquent speaker at public forums and conferences. At the first pan-Africa Conference convened by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah at Ghana in December 1953, he was given a standing ovation by delegates from across the globe after proposing the toast of Africa.
He drew the same accolade in 1982, when he wrote on the role of the bench as the arbiter. There, in the book titled: “The Practice of the Nigerian Constitution”, he wrote on the imperishable qualities of a honest jurist, who, he said, should give judgment without fear, favour, intimidation and timidity.
Thompson stated: “The correct principle illustrated by the hypothetical case of a Spartan judge sitting at the Thermopylae, surrounded by Persian arms, and yet giving his judgment according to the laws of Sparta with the full knowledge that he was about to die.”
The judge was initiated into free masonry at a ceremony performed by his Father in Lodge Academic No. 1150 (SC) Lagos, soon he climbed the ladder, emerging the District Grand Master of Nigeria (Scottish Constitution) (1983-1988), District Grand Secretary (1963-1970), Substitute Grand Master (1970-1973), and Deputy District Grand Master (1973-1978).
He was also an Honorary Grand Server warden of the grand lodge of Scotland, Edinburgh and member, Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland, Edinburgh.
He also attained high ranks under the Irish and English Constitutions. Following the release of his Masonic publications, Secrets of Secret Society, President J. J. Rawlings of Ghana reportedly shelved his plan to be the Irish order in the country after reading the pamphlet.
Thompson’s death is a loss to the cause of enthronement of good governance in Nigeria where many of the crisis of development rocking the polity remained largely unsolved and where the tribe of principled leaders, genuinely committed to the unity, peace, prosperity and progress of the fatherland is going down the grave.
