Adebowale Durosaiye Akande (1938 - 2004)
THE passing on of Chief Debo Akande, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is one of the biggest blows to befall the legal profession in recent times. At 66, Akande left the scene suddenly and prematurely, while the nation stood to learn from him. He was an exceptional lawyer, brilliant, energetic and seemingly obsessed with a permanent desire to improve the standard of the legal profession. In that regard, Akande made a remarkable impact in the last 30 years, such that it is difficult to speak of lawyers without mentioning Debo Akande. To his credit, he strove for a better legal profession, an endeavour which transcended the outer and inner Bar, as it impacted on the old and the young as well as judges and lawyers alike. More than that, Akande had a strong hand in moulding the legal profession to its present revered position and high standard.
In the early hours of Sunday August 8, 2004. Akande reportedly slumped and died at about 12.30 a.m. shortly after attending a meeting of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in London. The meeting took place on Saturday. He had travelled earlier that day to the United Kingdom by Virgin Atlantic Airlines and checked into International Churchill Hotel, Portsmouth Square, from where he went into the meeting with the Yoruba ethnic nationality group. Family sources said the meeting had actually ended when Akande slumped into the chair he had been sitting on. He was rushed to St. Thomas Hospital, Lamberth where he died.
Born on June 9, 1938 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the late Debo Akande attended Ibadan Boys High School and later, St. Gregory College, Lagos from 1952 to 1957. From there, he proceeded 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 formally enrolled as a lawyer on January 15, 1965.
As a private legal practitioner, Akande immediately made a mark for himself by his impressive and successful runs. He was appointed a director of Union Bank of Nigeria between 1977 and 1979. Thereafter, he ventured into politics, joining the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) on which platform he rode to become a member of the Federal House of Representatives (Ibadan Constituency), in the Second Republic. Before then, he had served as the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in 1978 to 1980. Between 1977 to 1979, he was also Assistant Secretary-General, African Bar Association.
In recognition of his sound advocacy, Akande was appointed into the select group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) in 1986. He became even more active in the Bar. In 1987, he was a major host and sponsor of that year's Bar Conference from which Alao Aka-Bashorun emerged as the NBA president. The years that followed saw the association playing a leading role as close monitor and critic of government, then headed by Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The late Akande contributed to various aspects of the profession through his membership, at different times, of the Legal Aid Council, Council of Legal Education, Bar Council, Amnesty International and World Peace Through Law.
The late Akande did everything he could to preserve and improve upon the traditional respect of the legal profession. For years, he made it a duty to deliver special lecture on the ethics, etiquettes and core values of the profession particularly at the Nigerian Law School. He believed in imparting the legal tradition to lawyers at the early stage of training. The NBA had no reservation to nominate him as vice chairman of the Body of Benchers in 2003. The body, besides being a foremost authority in the legal profession, is also charged with admitting new lawyers to the Bar. After serving meritoriously in the capacity of vice chairman, Akande assumed the chairmanship of the Body of Benchers in March this year and held the position till death.
A highly principled man, Akande in 1995 resigned as secretary of the constitutional conference instituted by the late Gen. Sani Abacha. It was no doubt a courageous action, as Abacha did not take kindly to anyone impugning his person. Yet, the fact that the conference turned out to be merely a time-buying device by Abacha vindicated Akande and his foresight. The late Akande could not bear any disruption to his busy schedule. He went about with simple mind, more ready and willing to give than to take. He was never one to shy away from speaking out or giving an informed opinion no matter the topic. He certainly meant well for the legal profession, the rule of law and political development of the country.
Akande was manifestly unhappy about the murder of Bola Ige, then attorney-general and justice minister. He was even unhappier with the handling of the case which suffered one setback after another, culminating in the discharge and acquittal of former Osun Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore and the entering of nolle prosequi in respect of four other persons accused of the murder. As prosecutor, Akande felt undermined that his pricipal, the Oyo State Government did not take him into confidence before taking some decisive action on the case.
Nevertheless, as a minister in the temple of justice, he took everything within the permitted legal stride. He refused to yield to temptation to sensationalise or scandalise.
Coming on the heels of the 2004 Bar Conference, Akande's death is certain to be a minus in the mood, spirit and substance of the conference. As in previous conferences, he was expected to galvanise some activities to enliven the conference and enrich its outcome. His death has created one void that will be most difficult, if not impossible, to fill by the Bar and the Bench. His wife, Prof. Jadesola Akande and children, including Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos High Court will need the consolation of God Almighty to be able to bear the irreparable loss.
