3 months ago
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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of human rights activist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch, Adesina Ogunlana.
Sanwo-Olu, who described Ogunlana’s death as shocking and a great loss to the state, commiserated with the deceased’s family and the entire members of the NBA, particularly the Ikeja branch, over the death of “the fearless and courageous lawyer.”
Ogunlana, 60, was reported to have slumped on Tuesday in his office at Fadeyi, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
He was not publicly known to be battling any illness.
A fearless, radical, human rights activist, Ogulana, fondly called “Serubawon” celebrated his 60th birthday on July 27, 2024, 10 days ago with a lecture at the Ikeja Bar Centre.
Ogunlana served as the NBA Chairman, of the Ikeja branch between 2016 and 2018.
He was also one of the leading lawyers who fought for the victims of the #EndSARS protests in Lagos in 2020.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the death of Ogunlana as a great loss to his family, associates, clients, and legal practitioners.
He said Ogunlana, who was referred to as “Serubawon” by some of his colleagues, lived a fulfilled life by making a positive impact on the lives of ordinary people, during his lifetime.
The news of Ogunlana’s death broke in the early hours of Wednesday. Ogunlana has been mourned by family, friends and associates in several posts seen on Facebook.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, described the lawyer’s death as “shocking” and hard to believe.
Ogunlana was equally mourned by the NBA, both at the state and national levels.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the NBA at the national level, said, “It is with great sadness that the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association received the news today of the passage of one of the illustrious members of the NBA, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq.
“Mr. Ogunlana was a former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.
“His term as the Chairman of the 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.
“Through his life works as an advocate in the courtroom and publisher of Squib Magazine, Mr Ogunlana, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, was renowned for his active commitment to the rule of law, effective administration of justice, and protection of human rights.”
Also the NBA President-elect, Afam Osigwe, (SAN), in his condolence message, said he received the news of Ogunlana’s sudden passage with shock.
“He championed numerous causes, standing firm in the face of adversity and often putting himself at great personal risk to advocate for justice and the protection of fundamental rights,” Osigwe said.
English (US) ·