ON September 18 when ex-attorney general of Ogun State and
younger brother of the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo,
Akinlolu Osinbajo, is conferred with the prestigious title of
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), it will be just and sweet reward
for a journey that began well over 30 years ago.
Having taken to heart the Biblical injunction, “no man, having
put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God,” Akin has remained steadfast in active legal
practice since October 1986 when he was called to the bar.
A highly experienced litigator and commercial law practitioner,
chartered arbitrator and notary public of Nigeria, the
SAN-designate is a thorough professional who learnt from some of
the best around to become the authority he is today.
The Department of Civil Litigation, Kwara State Ministry of
Justice was where the alumnus of Holborn College, London and the
University College London first chose to hone his skills after he
was called to the bar in 1986. Later that year, he joined the
chambers of eminent lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as Associate
Counsel and was there until 1987 before becoming Associate Counsel
at Abdulai, Taiwo & Co.;Solicitors where he is currentlyJoint
Managing Partner. The firm is internationally acknowledged for its
expertise on transactional matters relating to Nigeria.
While making significant strides in his career, Akin, an enabler
like his older brother was also selflessly giving himself to the
community and the church of God. He was appointed Registrar and
General Legal Adviser, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Reno
Diocese in April 1996 and Legal Adviser and Member Board of
Trustees, The Fountain of Life Church, Nigeria and Overseas in June
2001. This was after being appointed a notary public of Nigeria in
July 2000.
In 2003, the Osinbajo brothers made history by becoming the
first siblings appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justices in different states simultaneously. While Yemi was quietly
but efficiently re-energising and remodelling the Lagos State
judiciary, Akin was doing same in Ogun, their home state. His
principal, Governor Gbenga Daniel, was sufficiently impressed by
his transformational abilities and diligence that he retained him
throughout his eight-year tenure. Commendably, Akin acquitted
himself well and extensively reformed the administration of justice
in the state.
Some of his interventions and reforms in Ogun include provision
of meaningful access to justice for indigent citizens of the state
through the establishment of the Citizens Rights Department that
gave free legal advice and representation in court to poor people;
reorganisation of the Ministry of Justice/ Chambers of the
Attorney-General with over 80 law officers to function like a
private law firm; the employment of over 40 lawyers; establishment
of the Office of the Public Defender in 2004 and Alternative
Dispute Resolution Centres (Citizens Mediation Centres).
Akin also facilitated the creation of more judicial divisions of
the High Court and Magisterial districts; a comprehensive revision
and publishing in 2006 of all the Laws of Ogun State in six
volumes; establishment of the Criminal Justice Fund to provide
funds to witnesses in criminal trials to enable them attend court
and for process servers to serve witness summons. Under his watch
as leader of the judiciary, the welfare of judges and other legal
officers was significantly boosted such that judges were given
brand new vehicles on two occasions while houses were later
provided for them. That’s not all. Akin also introduced and
facilitated the regular payment of research/journal and other
enhanced allowances to judges, magistrates and law officers in the
state.
Highly cerebral, Akin has not contented himself with practice
alone. He has also done his bit in expanding the frontiers of the
study law in Nigeria with contributions to important law
publications. He is a contributor to the Nigeria country report in
the international compendium titled ‘International Corporate Law’
published by Aspatore Books and also contributed to ‘Legal Aspects
of Doing Business in Africa’ published by Yorkhill Law Publishers.
The cleric and father of three children has an essay in
‘Perspectives on Contemporary Legal Issues: Essays in Honour of
Hon. Justice Dolapo F. Akinsanya’ while he is co-author of
‘Establishing a Business in Nigeria’; ‘Registration and Regulation
of Foreign Investments and Enterprises’; ‘Privatisation of
Government Enterprises by Tender and Public Offer’ ‘Registration of
Trademarks, Patents and Technology Transfer Licences ‘all published
by Abdulai, Taiwo & Co.
A member of professional associations including the NBA,
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, International Bar
Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria,
Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria and the Diocesan Board,
Cathedral Greater Chapter and Synod of Church of Nigeria Anglican
Communion (Remo Diocese), Akin, has not shirked his
responsibilities to the NBA. He served as a member of the body’s
Special Task Force on Multidisciplinary Practices and Incursions
into the Legal Profession and has been a member of Body of Benchers
Nigeria since April 2017.
Fittingly, Akin’s interventions in the praxis and theory of law
as well as material assistances have not gone unnoticed by both the
NBA and the Bench. He has consequently received several
commendations amongst which are the Body of Benchers for
facilitating the donation of N1million towards the building of the
Body of Benchers Hall and the Court of Appeal Ibadan for donating
several sets of Revised Laws of the Federation (Volumes 1-6) for
the Judges’ libraries.
Given his immense contributions therefore, it came as no
surprise that the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC),
the conferring authority found Akin worthy to be admitted into the
select rank of senior Nigerian lawyers. The 57-year-old, indeed, is
a worthy addition to the 481 silks so far appointed in Nigeria
since 1975.
Ogunmupe sent this piece from Ilupeju,
Lagos.
ON September 18 when ex-attorney general of Ogun State and
younger brother of the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo,
Akinlolu Osinbajo, is conferred with the prestigious title of
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), it will be just and sweet reward
for a journey that began well over 30 years ago.
Having taken to heart the Biblical injunction, “no man, having
put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God,” Akin has remained steadfast in active legal
practice since October 1986 when he was called to the bar.
A highly experienced litigator and commercial law practitioner,
chartered arbitrator and notary public of Nigeria, the
SAN-designate is a thorough professional who learnt from some of
the best around to become the authority he is today.
The Department of Civil Litigation, Kwara State Ministry of
Justice was where the alumnus of Holborn College, London and the
University College London first chose to hone his skills after he
was called to the bar in 1986. Later that year, he joined the
chambers of eminent lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as Associate
Counsel and was there until 1987 before becoming Associate Counsel
at Abdulai, Taiwo & Co.;Solicitors where he is currentlyJoint
Managing Partner. The firm is internationally acknowledged for its
expertise on transactional matters relating to Nigeria.
While making significant strides in his career, Akin, an enabler
like his older brother was also selflessly giving himself to the
community and the church of God. He was appointed Registrar and
General Legal Adviser, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Reno
Diocese in April 1996 and Legal Adviser and Member Board of
Trustees, The Fountain of Life Church, Nigeria and Overseas in June
2001. This was after being appointed a notary public of Nigeria in
July 2000.
In 2003, the Osinbajo brothers made history by becoming the
first siblings appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justices in different states simultaneously. While Yemi was quietly
but efficiently re-energising and remodelling the Lagos State
judiciary, Akin was doing same in Ogun, their home state. His
principal, Governor Gbenga Daniel, was sufficiently impressed by
his transformational abilities and diligence that he retained him
throughout his eight-year tenure. Commendably, Akin acquitted
himself well and extensively reformed the administration of justice
in the state.
Some of his interventions and reforms in Ogun include provision
of meaningful access to justice for indigent citizens of the state
through the establishment of the Citizens Rights Department that
gave free legal advice and representation in court to poor people;
reorganisation of the Ministry of Justice/ Chambers of the
Attorney-General with over 80 law officers to function like a
private law firm; the employment of over 40 lawyers; establishment
of the Office of the Public Defender in 2004 and Alternative
Dispute Resolution Centres (Citizens Mediation Centres).
Akin also facilitated the creation of more judicial divisions of
the High Court and Magisterial districts; a comprehensive revision
and publishing in 2006 of all the Laws of Ogun State in six
volumes; establishment of the Criminal Justice Fund to provide
funds to witnesses in criminal trials to enable them attend court
and for process servers to serve witness summons. Under his watch
as leader of the judiciary, the welfare of judges and other legal
officers was significantly boosted such that judges were given
brand new vehicles on two occasions while houses were later
provided for them. That’s not all. Akin also introduced and
facilitated the regular payment of research/journal and other
enhanced allowances to judges, magistrates and law officers in the
state.
Highly cerebral, Akin has not contented himself with practice
alone. He has also done his bit in expanding the frontiers of the
study law in Nigeria with contributions to important law
publications. He is a contributor to the Nigeria country report in
the international compendium titled ‘International Corporate Law’
published by Aspatore Books and also contributed to ‘Legal Aspects
of Doing Business in Africa’ published by Yorkhill Law Publishers.
The cleric and father of three children has an essay in
‘Perspectives on Contemporary Legal Issues: Essays in Honour of
Hon. Justice Dolapo F. Akinsanya’ while he is co-author of
‘Establishing a Business in Nigeria’; ‘Registration and Regulation
of Foreign Investments and Enterprises’; ‘Privatisation of
Government Enterprises by Tender and Public Offer’ ‘Registration of
Trademarks, Patents and Technology Transfer Licences ‘all published
by Abdulai, Taiwo & Co.
A member of professional associations including the NBA,
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, International Bar
Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria,
Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria and the Diocesan Board,
Cathedral Greater Chapter and Synod of Church of Nigeria Anglican
Communion (Remo Diocese), Akin, has not shirked his
responsibilities to the NBA. He served as a member of the body’s
Special Task Force on Multidisciplinary Practices and Incursions
into the Legal Profession and has been a member of Body of Benchers
Nigeria since April 2017.
Fittingly, Akin’s interventions in the praxis and theory of law
as well as material assistances have not gone unnoticed by both the
NBA and the Bench. He has consequently received several
commendations amongst which are the Body of Benchers for
facilitating the donation of N1million towards the building of the
Body of Benchers Hall and the Court of Appeal Ibadan for donating
several sets of Revised Laws of the Federation (Volumes 1-6) for
the Judges’ libraries.
Given his immense contributions therefore, it came as no
surprise that the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC),
the conferring authority found Akin worthy to be admitted into the
select rank of senior Nigerian lawyers. The 57-year-old, indeed, is
a worthy addition to the 481 silks so far appointed in Nigeria
since 1975.
Ogunmupe sent this piece from Ilupeju,
Lagos.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/as-akin-osinbajo-takes-silk/