It was a gathering of who is who in the legal profession at the grand reception held in honour of Chief Wale Taiwo who was recently elevated to the rank of SAN.
The event which held at the Banquet Hall of the City Hall, Lagos had in attendance Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court of Lagos, Osun and Ogun State respectively. It was indeed a gathering of luminaries and attests to Chief Taiwo’s awesome personality.
one of the highlights of the event was a paper presentation by Mr Wemimo Ogunde SAN on the theme “The Senior Advocate Of Nigeria: Pillar Or Predator?” Chief Wemimo amongst several other germane issues which was elaborately discussed in the paper, distinguished between contributions to the society made by Senior Advocates individually and that which is made collectively as a class and observed: “There are senior advocates that are in their own way playing a great leadership role within and outside the legal profession. However, as a class, it appears very little is being done. It is my hope that this cry of mine may trigger a little move in the right direction and prevent us from running helter-skelter when it may be too late to rescue the situation.”
Among dignitaries who graced the reception were Justices of the Supreme Court; Justice John Inyang Okoro who was the chairman of the event and Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour who was a special guest of honour.
The celebrant’s former classmates (University of Lagos class of 1984 and the Nigerian Law School class of 1985); Justices H. A. O. Abiru of the Court of Appeal, L. A. Lawal-Akapo and Morenike Obadina of the Lagos State High Court and Justice Catherine Ogunsanya of the Ogun State High Court. Also present were Justices S. O. Nwaka and K. O. Dawodu of Lagos State High Court, Justice Dotun Onibokun of the Osun State High Court, Justices S. M. owodunni, Majekodunmi of the Ogun State High Court and Ret’d. Justice M. Awokulehin.
Among the eminent senior members of the bar who were present at the reception were; Prof Taiwo Osipitan SAN, B.A.M Fashanu SAN, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, Michael Afolabi Fashanu SAN, Alhaji Shina Sofola SAN, Mr John Odubela SAN, Mr Seni Ibiwoye SAN, Mr Ayo Akintunde SAN, Mr Bonajo Badejo SAN, Mr Olusola Idowu SAN, Mr Niyi Adegbonmire SAN, Tunde Adejuyigbe SAN, Kemi Balogun SAN, Dipo Okpeseyi SAN, Mr olanrewaju Ogunlesi SAN, Mrs Titilola Akinlawon SAN, Mr Adewale Adesokan SAN, Alhaji A. J. Owonikoko SAN, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, Otunba Segun Demuren, Chief Taiwo Ajala, Mr Jide Shoroye, Mr Bolaji Onilenla, Alhaji Adisa Lawal Keshinro, Mr Kunle Sofola, Mr Segun Fabunmi, Mr Taiwo Kupolati, Mr Mutiu Ganiyu, Mr Kamar Raji amongst many others.
One common view held by all dignitaries that attended the reception is that Chief Taiwo SAN’s conferrement was long overdue. Mr Niyi Adegbonmire SAN proposed the toast to the celebrant.
We congratulate the Learned Silk and wish him many more fruitful and fulfilling years in service to the bar and humanity.
PS: The paper Presentation: “The Senior Advocate Of Nigeria: Pillar Or Predator?” to be published subsequently.
[espro-slider id=17536]