Debo Akande, eminent lawyer, dies
From Gbolahan Gbadamosi (Abuja), Mustapha Ogunsakin and James Dadzie (Lagos)
ONE of Nigeria's most respected legal practitioners, Chief Adebowale Durosaiye Akande, is dead.
Aged 66, he was reported to have slumped and died at about 12.30 a.m. shortly after attending a meeting of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in London on Saturday.
He had travelled to the United Kingdom on Saturday morning via Virgin Atlantic Airlines and checked into International Churchill Hotel, Portsmouth Square from where he went into the meeting with the Yoruba ethnic nationality group.
At the end of the meeting, according to family sources, he slumped into the chair he had been sitting on and was immediately rushed to the St. Thomas Hospital, Lamberth, where he died.
Born on June 9, 1938, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the late Akande is survived by his widow, the former vice-chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Jadesola Akande and many children, including Justice Adenike Coker, currently of the Criminal Division, Lagos High Court.
Justice Coker, who told The Guardian of the late eminent lawyer's last moments, added, however, that the exact cause of the death was yet to be ascertained.
Until his death, the late Akande was the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, the elite group that admits fresh practitioners into legal practice in Nigeria. The position is believed to be the peak of the career of a legal practitioner.
He resigned on principle as Secretary of Constitutional Conference instituted by late Gen. Sani Abacha in the early 1990s.
Akande, who was the chief prosecutor of Senator Iyiola Omisore and others over the murder of former Justice Minister Chief Bola Ige (SAN), withdrew from the case only a few days ago on August 2.
The Oyo State Attorney-General, Mr. Lekan Latinwo, had last month discontinued with the trial of Omisore's younger brother, Alani, and three other accused persons without consulting the late Akande.
Omisore had earlier been freed by the court on the ground that police evidence against him was weak and unreliable.
The late Akande attended St. Gregory's College, Lagos, from 1952 to 1957. From there, he went to the Westminster College in London from 1960 to 1961; the University of London from 1961 to 1964; and the Council of Legal Education, London, after which he was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, London. He enrolled as a lawyer on January 15, 1965.
Between 1977 and 1979, he was General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and was a member of the Amnesty International and the World Peace Through Law.
One of his predecessors, Mrs. Hairat Balogun, and a secretary-general candidate in the coming NBA election in Abuja later this month, Carol Ajie, were among the early callers at his 7, Alawode Street, beside Kilo Hotel, Surulere, Lagos home yesterday.
The news of his death was broken to the meeting of the 2004 yearly general Conference Planning Committee (CPC) in Abuja yesterday.
Immediately, the CPC chairman who was last Monday named with 14 other lawyers as senior advocates, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, closed the meeting as a mark of honour for Akande.
NBA president, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), at about 4.30 p.m. yesterday called from Atlanta, Georgia, United States where he is holidaying, to confirm the news.
He said: "We have lost one of the best and most sincere leaders of the NBA. He was a pillar to the legal profession and the Bar association. His voice was weighty and intelligent."
Olanipekun said that the late lawyer was one "who would criticise with clarity of purpose without harbouring any mischief. If he was aggrieved with us on any issue at the NEC or at caucus meetings, the late Akande would abide by the decision of the majority and he would be the first person to carry out the decision reached."
The NBA president continued: "He was one of the few leaders from the South-West. The NBA had no reservation to nominate him as vice chairman of the Body of Benchers in 2003 and after serving in that capacity meritoriously he assumed the leadership of the Body of Benchers."
He added: "Alive, we were proud of him. And in death, we extol his high qualities. Indeed, he was one of those we had slated to be honoured by the NBA at this August conference in Abuja and we will still honour him posthumously."
Also reacting, the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Chief John Kayode Jegede (SAN), described Akande as a great legal practitioner and a lover of the profession.
Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, who is also a presidential candidate in the coming NBA election, described the death as "shocking."
The late Akande was a star figure at the July 8 and 9 meeting of the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Ilorin, Kwara State.
One of the presidential candidates for the NBA election, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) in his tribute, said: "Akande was somebody who lived for the Bar. He was everything for the Bar. He will be greatly missed. He was somebody every member of the Bar looked up to."
Osuman, in a brief remark about Akande, a former secretary-general of NBA, said: "It is a great loss to the Conference Planning Committee and to the Bar."
In a text message to "The Guardian," Ajie queried: "Have you heard of the devastating news of Chief Debo Akande's death"
Ajie added: "I am covered in tears. Now, the gentleman with the oratory prowess is gone."
The chairman, Lagos branch of the NBA, of which Akande was "a prominent member," Mr. Akin Akinbote, said: "As a chief mourner, it is a sad and unexpected blow. He was one of the few Bar men who after the 40 years at the Bar were still active. He attended all NBA NEC meetings anywhere in the country and played active parts. He has a unique character and personality.
Foremost human rights activist, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi (SAN), said: "It is the news I have ever heard in my entire life."
Fawehinmi, who expressed shock said: "He was my very good friend. We were classmates in the Law School. We entered the profession the same day. We related to each other very well."
Fawehinmi described Akande as a very brilliant lawyer, a man of high integrity who was always honest, and down to earth in everything he laid his hands on.
"Above all, he loved the people of this country. He` loved the masses of this country.
The activist lawyer added: "He gave his life to law and he wanted a better society in the interest of our people. He was my very good friend. I respected him a lot."
A seasoned lawyer, Chief Robert Clarke, who said he knew Akande for over 30 years, also stated that the deceased had made his mark on the legal profession.
Clarke said: "We both belonged to a club called '1938 Club' with Oba Tejuoso as a member. He was a very vocal person who always meant what he said."
Clarke also described Akande as a close brother.
His number 7, Alawode Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos home was yesterday full of mourners. One of the callers was Chief Opral Benson, wife of First Republic Minister, Chief T.O.S. Benson, who arrived at 6p.m. She immediately went in to commiserate with the deceased widow, who was still in deep grief.
The others include the Secretary General of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Dele Adesina, who was still in shock at the death.
Adesina wrote in the condolence register: "Chief, in spite of the wickedness and disregard of death, I still refuse to believe that you can be his next victim. Nevertheless, let the will of God prevail... rest in peace."
Also, the chairman of the Lagos NBA branch, Mr. Akin Akinbote, wrote: "Our hearts bleed at NBA Lagos." Another lawyer, Chief Biodun Olaogun simply wrote: "Debo, it is unbelievable."
Justice S.B. Candide-Johnson wrote: "My dearest uncle, thank you for your legacy and industry that has made many of us what we are today," while a Lagos High Court judge, Justice S.O. Atilade wrote: "Goodnight uncle Debo. We will miss you."`
