The sudden exit of Adesina Ogunlana, former NBA Ikeja branch (The Tiger Branch) Chairman and firebrand human rights advocate, is a huge blow not only to the legal profession but also to human rights advocacy in general. Known as the “Serubawon” of the bar, Ogunlana was bold, courageous, and fearless in his advocacy for the rights of man.
Ogunlana announced his presence in the profession by launching and publishing “The Squib Magazine,” a weekly tabloid focused on corruption at the bar and the bench. He was unrelenting in his criticisms of corruption, earning admirers and foes alike. During the tenure of Chief Judge Sotiminu in Lagos, his activities were reported to the disciplinary committee of the bar. However, eminent persons, including the late GOK Ajayi SAN, rose in his stout defense, and he was cleared of all allegations of wrongdoing. From that point on, Ogunlana never looked back in his advocacy for a corruption-free judiciary.
Shina Ogunlana was fearless. He raised his voice in favor of human rights advocacy and good governance. During the proceedings of the Lagos State EndSARS Tribunal, he made his professional services available, seeking succor and damages for protesters whose rights were violated. During the last nationwide protests against hardship and hunger, Ogunlana showed up in the streets in favor of the protesters, joining them in singing solidarity songs for the people’s emancipation. He was seen in pictures with fellow comrades, standing on the side of the people.
I know that Adesina Ogunlana had many mentors, notably the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN. He wanted to be like Gani, and to a large extent, he succeeded since he never betrayed the struggle. He modeled Gani in many ways, particularly in his display of raw courage and constant advocacy on the side of the people.
The departed was a warrior-king. A warrior in the sense that he was not one to run away from battles. A king in the sense that he was not lacking in wisdom and scholarship. He was brilliant, a master of ideas and positive action. Not given to an ostentatious lifestyle, Ogunlana was simple and accessible. He prioritized other people’s welfare above his own personal comfort. He was indeed a warrior-king.
What were his tools? First, was his legal knowledge, which he deployed on the side of the people. His second tool was the power of his pen, which he wielded powerfully in defense of the oppressed. There are many accounts of his last moments, but one consistent narrative is that he died in his office—working. A day previously, he attended the meeting of the Ikeja Branch where he made profound contributions on the side of the people—discussing how to deploy the tool of protest to impact good governance in our country.
And so we lost him. We lost a people’s soldier, a warrior-king, an anti-corruption crusader, and an advocate for the rights of man. We lost another credible voice for justice and fairness. And so, Adesina reunites with the saints—like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, Bamidele Aturu, Chima Ubani, and many other soldiers of the people who exited this world and left lasting impressions.
If you are a lawyer in Nigeria and have not heard or seen Adesina Ogunlana in action—speaking and fighting for people’s welfare—then you know nothing.
Farewell, Adesina Ogunlana, the Serubawon of the Nigerian bar. May his restless and radical spirit rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Farewell, my brother.
We mourn!
Wahab Shittu SAN
Wahab Shittu SAN is a distinguished senior lawyer and prominent public commentator based in Lagos.
