One of one of the most resilient lawyer and former chairman Ikeja Branch NBA Adesina Ogunlana, popularly known as Serubawon is dead
Ogunlana, who fused legal luminary with activism died few days after celebrating his 60th Birthday
In a statement, a spokesman for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akorede Lawal, expressed sadness over the passing of Ogunlana, who was a former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.
Lawal said Ogunlana’s tenure as the Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed “a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018”.
“In this time, when citizens of this country look up to conscientious members of the legal profession for direction, the passage of Adesina Ogunlana is a monumental loss, as he was an activist in the exact sense of the word.
“Not one to shy away from standing firmly on the side of the people, Mr. Ogunlana actively participated in the Nationwide Hunger Protest in Lagos last week,” the NBA spokesman eulogised.
Ogunlana was “renowned for his active commitment to the rule of law, the effective administration of justice and the protection of human rights”.
Lawal said the NBA and indeed the legal profession would miss Ogunlana and offered deep condolences to the grieving family of the late activist cum lawyer.
Govenor Sanwo Olu mourn
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of human rights activist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Barr. Comrade Adesina Ogunlana.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who described Ogunlana’s death as shocking and a great loss to Lagos State, commiserated with the deceased family and the entire members of the NBA, particularly the Ikeja Branch, over the death of “the fearless and courageous lawyer.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the death of Ogunlana as a great loss to his family, associates, clients, and legal practitioners.
He said Comrade Ogunlana, who is referred to as “Serubawon” by some of his colleagues, lived a fulfilled life by making positive impact in the lives of the ordinary people, during his lifetime.
Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed for the repose of the soul of the dead and for God to grant the family and friends of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Friends and associates of the late legal icon have splattered social media with tears of tribute and the legendary exploits of Ogunlana, whose fighting spirit has challenged many in the civic space.
