Day lawyers honoured illustrious Nigerians

Justice Salami, Prof Oyebode, Lagos CJ, The Sun MD, others bag NBA awards

For its daring exploits in the legal profession, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, claims to hold the unchallenged title of ‘Tigers and Tigresses’ in the comity of lawyers in the country.

Under the leadership of Barrister Monday Ubani, the branch says it has become “the most vibrant branch,” a band of fearless advocates who wrest citizens from the suffocating grips of ruthless aggressors.

Last weekend, the association conferred prestigious awards on former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, and five other distinguished personalities for their defined roles in promoting justice, equity and fairness in the country.

At a well-attended dinner and award presentation ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, the ‘Tigers and Tigresses’ leapt boldly to their feet to hail the retired justice, describing him as an icon par excellence. The lawyers, a large number of them members of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), expressed solidarity in thunderous applause for their unsung hero.

Dressed in traditional attire, Salami was like a king before his subjects, as he walked graciously to the stage to receive his award. Beaming with smiles, his popularity among fellow lawyers was expressed in the din of triumphant shouts. It was, indeed, Salami’s night of glory.

Although lawyers often trade differing views, they spoke with one voice in the choice of the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun newspapers and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Femi Adesina, for a meritorious award. He was honoured for his untiring role in proclaiming the truth, giving voice to the voiceless and braving the odds in the task of defending people’s rights.

Other awardees include erudite legal scholar and former Vice Chancellor, Prof Akin Oyebode, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, as well as the Lagos State Commissioner for Town Planning, Olutoyin Adedamola Ayorinde. The organisers said the awardees were chosen for utilizing their good offices to advance the progress of the country and humanity.

Memories of  the late frontline activist, Chima Ubani, a protagonist in the fight against injustice, before his tragic death in a car crash, came alive at the event. His citation drew tears from many eyes and he later bagged a post-humous award, with the sum of N200,000 for his family.

The Chairman, Law Week Committee, 2014, Dr Muiz Banire, said the award has embossed on the recipients the indelible marks of ‘tigers and tigresses.’ He charged them to take up the gauntlet in protecting the weaker citizens from powerful individuals bent on denigrating people’s fundamental rights and turning the nation’s constitution to mere footmat.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who chaired the occasion, urged members of the legal profession to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian in the face of oppression and injustice. He said the judiciary remains, unarguably, the bulwark of the society and last hope of the common man. He pleaded with lawyers to look beyond transient rewards in the discharge of their duties.

Gowon commended the awardees for the honour bestowed on them, noting that Adesina stands out as a strong advocate of truth in the country, no matter whose ox is gored.

Also speaking, the Chairman, NBA, Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani, said the award bestowed on Justice Salami, whose removal as the President of Court of Appeal stirred unresolved controversies, demonstrated their optional choice for fairness for all. He described Salami as a beacon of hope for the legal profession, as he extolled his virtues of integrity, honesty and justice.

Ubani noted that the failure to recall the embattled Salami by the Federal Government remains a moral burden on the present administration.

In a goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who was represented by the state Attorney General, Mr Adeola Rahman Ipaye, said the event served a useful purpose, with a large number of senior lawyers coming together outside the usual court functions. He commending the NBA Ikeja Branch for its commitment to raise the standard of practice in the legal profession and urged other branches nationwide to emulate the noble gesture.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State, Abimbola Akeredolu, who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun, presented the plaque to Adesina, describing the honour as well deserved. She also recalled fond memories of the high standard of practice in the legal trade during her days in Ilorin, and urged other practitioners to keep the flag flying.

Responding on behalf of other awardees, Justice Phillips said the honour bestowed on them would provide a strong motivation to continue their good work for the society and humanity. According to her, the choice of people from different walks of life revealed the transparency in the selection exercise.

Roll call of dignitaries at the event was endless, including the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, former Lagos State Commissioner, Dr Leke Pitan, top government officials, captains of industry, senior lawyers, and many others.