Legal Luminary, Chief Frank Akinrele, SAN, Dies at 88

Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is
dead. He died on Tuesday at the age 88.

Born on March 8, 1930 in Ondo Town, the late legal luminary was
a Barrister and Solicitor of Supreme Court of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria for over 60 years.

He attended Kings College Lagos, and University of Hull, where
he obtained his LL.B in 1953 and LL.M in 1954. He won the Andrew
Marvell Prize for the best graduating law student, University of
Hull. Akinrele was called to the Nigerian Bar, and Middle Temple in
1955. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1980.

The late Senior Advocate of Nigeria began his legal career at
the law firm of Thomas, Williams & Kayode, a partnership law firm
established by three distinguished lawyers – Chief Bode Thomas,
Chief F.R.A. Williams and Chief Fani Kayode.

He later established his own law firm, F.O Akinrele & Co in
1962.

An erudite lawyer, Akinrele developed a reputation as the
leading criminal law Barrister of his generation.

Chief Akinrele was described by the then Hon. Justice Adewale
Thompson in his book titled ‘Reminisces at the Bar’ as “the most
brilliant junior of our time.”

A former President and Patron of Nigerian-American Chamber of
Commerce, Akinrele also served as President of Rotary Club
International and Trustee of the Lagos Motor Boat Club.

He was also member of Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced
Legal Studies, and a former member of Nigerian Body of
Benchers.

He also served as member, Legal Privileges Committee; and member
of the Medical Disciplinary Tribunal. He received the distinguished
Service Award of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce for
outstanding leadership performance in promoting friendship and
economic development between Nigeria and USA.

He was said to have produced several successful lawyers in
Nigeria including Ademola Akinrele SAN, Adedolapo Akinrele SAN,
Etigwe Uwa SAN amongst many others.

Chief Akinrele retired from active legal practice in 1986 at the
age of 56. In retirement, he devoted himself to the study of
languages, music and rendering of Rotarian services.

He was married and the marriage was blessed with five
children.

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