NBA Lagos Celebrates Pa Gomez at 90

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch is rolling out
the red carpet to celebrate one of its foremost elders and veteran
Bar activist, Pa Tunji Gomez who turns 90 years on March 18,
2018.

Popularly known by his sobriquet, “It’s a matter of conscience,”
the decision to honour Pa Gomez was initiated by the Chukwuka
Ikwuazom-led Executive Committee and sealed at the last monthly
meeting of the branch via a unanimous resolution of the
members.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Chukwuma Ezeala and Mr.
Alfred Akinjo, chairman and secretary respectively of the “Pa Tunji
Gomez at 90 Planning Committee,” the birthday celebrations will
kick off on Friday, March 16, 2018 with a novelty match at 3 pm at
King’s College Pitch, TBS, Lagos. Pa Gomez is an alumna of King’s
College.

This will be followed by a Thanksgiving Church Service on
Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 9 am at the highbrow Cathedral Church of
Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The climax of the celebration is a birthday lecture/dinner to be
held the same day in Lagos. The dinner is slated to be attended by
the creme de la creme of Nigeria’s bar and bench among others.

Pa Gomez was admitted to the English Bar in 1961, about 57 years
ago. The activist-lawyer, who is reputed for his courage and
candour, still attends the meetings of his beloved “Premier Branch”
regularly even at the ripe old age of 90.

He was the arrowhead and convener of the popular Movement for
the Abolition of the Rank of SAN (MARSAN), contending that the
process for the award of the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria
was riddled with irregularities and that the rank had outlived its
usefulness.

Pa Gomez was born in 1928 and enrolled into King’s College,
Lagos in 1944. His activism manifested early in his eventful life,
as he is reputed to have led the 1948 strike at the College which
significantly turned around the fortunes of the students.

This early brush with constituted authority also sowed the seed
of his career choice, following the pro bono legal services offered
the striking students by one Alex Taylor Esquire.

Though a junior lawyer then, Pa Gomez was part of the legal team
that defended 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, Pa Gomez is a longstanding advocate
for the welfare especially of young lawyers.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch is rolling out
the red carpet to celebrate one of its foremost elders and veteran
Bar activist, Pa Tunji Gomez who turns 90 years on March 18,
2018.

Popularly known by his sobriquet, “It’s a matter of conscience,”
the decision to honour Pa Gomez was initiated by the Chukwuka
Ikwuazom-led Executive Committee and sealed at the last monthly
meeting of the branch via a unanimous resolution of the
members.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Chukwuma Ezeala and Mr.
Alfred Akinjo, chairman and secretary respectively of the “Pa Tunji
Gomez at 90 Planning Committee,” the birthday celebrations will
kick off on Friday, March 16, 2018 with a novelty match at 3 pm at
King’s College Pitch, TBS, Lagos. Pa Gomez is an alumna of King’s
College.

This will be followed by a Thanksgiving Church Service on
Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 9 am at the highbrow Cathedral Church of
Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The climax of the celebration is a birthday lecture/dinner to be
held the same day in Lagos. The dinner is slated to be attended by
the creme de la creme of Nigeria’s bar and bench among others.

Pa Gomez was admitted to the English Bar in 1961, about 57 years
ago. The activist-lawyer, who is reputed for his courage and
candour, still attends the meetings of his beloved “Premier Branch”
regularly even at the ripe old age of 90.

He was the arrowhead and convener of the popular Movement for
the Abolition of the Rank of SAN (MARSAN), contending that the
process for the award of the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria
was riddled with irregularities and that the rank had outlived its
usefulness.

Pa Gomez was born in 1928 and enrolled into King’s College,
Lagos in 1944. His activism manifested early in his eventful life,
as he is reputed to have led the 1948 strike at the College which
significantly turned around the fortunes of the students.

This early brush with constituted authority also sowed the seed
of his career choice, following the pro bono legal services offered
the striking students by one Alex Taylor Esquire.

Though a junior lawyer then, Pa Gomez was part of the legal team
that defended 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, Pa Gomez is a longstanding advocate
for the welfare especially of young lawyers.