The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has announced the demise of Professor Gabriel Olawoyin SAN. According to the statement issued by Mr. Seyi Sowemimo, SAN, the Secretary of the Body, Prof. Olawoyin passed on in the early hours of Saturday, 13th February, 2021 at the age of 82.
The statement further reads:
The late Professor Gabriel Olawoyin SAN was born on the 31st of July, 1939 (82 years old) and was called into the Nigerian Bar in 1975. At the Nigerian Law School, he emerged as the candidate with the best overall performance, winning three of the four prizes awarded by the School.
He attended the London School of Economics & Political Science (University of London) where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees respectively in 1965 and 1966. He later obtained his PhD degree in company law from the University of Bristol in 1970.
Professor Gabriel Olawoyin taught business law, company law, law of insurance, commercial law, Nigerian legal system, law of banking and negotiable instruments, constitutional law, non-marine insurance law and law of corporate management and finance at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University – OAU, Ile-Ife) from 1966 to 1981. In May 1978, he was appointed Professor of Business Law in the then University of Ife and he has the distinction of being the first Nigerian Professor of Business Law.
In 1981, he retired from teaching in the University to go into full-time legal practice as the Principal Partner in the law firm of Olawoyin & Olawoyin. He played a leading role in the introduction and development of equipment leasing by Banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria.
He was a member of the Council of Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN). In 1992, he was appointed a member of the study group on legal issues relating to the privatization and commercialization of government enterprises. In September, 1998 he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and has been a member of the ICC, International Court of Arbitration in Paris, France since May, 2000.
Professor Gabriel Olawoyin SAN is survived by his wife, children including Dr. Adewale Olawoyin SAN and grandchildren.
Further information on the funeral arrangements of our departed colleague will be communicated as soon as we receive the details from the family.
May the soul of Professor Gabriel Olawoyin SAN and the souls of other faithful departed Rest in Peace. Amen”