A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Lagos State, Adesina Ogunlana, is dead.
On Tuesday evening, Ogunlana, 60, reportedly slumped 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 aka “Serubawon” celebrated his 60th birthday 10 days ago with a lecture at the Ikeja Bar Centre.
Ogunlana served as the NBA Chairman, of the Ikeja Branch between 2016 – 2018.
He was also one of the leading lawyers who fought for the victims of the #EndSARS protests in Lagos in 2020.
The NBA and Ogunlana’s Ikeja branch mourned his death in separate statements.
Akorede Habeeb Lawal, the NBA’s National Publicity Secretary said the National Executive Committee (NEC) received “the news of the passage of one of the illustrious members of the NBA, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq.” with great sadness.
“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.
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“Throughout his life 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.”
A rights activist and Project Officer at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Gideon Adeyeni, recalled Ogunlana’s active participation at Freedom Park during the just-ended #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
“It’s a big shock,” Adeyeni said.
Another activist, Olufemi Samuel, added: “We were together at Ojota last week Thursday (August 1st Protest). We talked about the situation of the country, gisted (sic) about his 60th birthday that he celebrated weeks ago and reminisced about some other things before taking pictures with me and some comrades. May his soul rest in peace.”
The NBA’s Ikeja Branch Secretary, Issa Adedokun announced the death earlier on Wednesday morning.
Adedokun stated that the burial arrangement would be communicated later by the deceased’s family.
The statement reads: “The Executive Committee regrets to announce the sudden passage of our beloved Leader, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq. (Past Chairman (2016 – 2018). who passed on yesterday the 6th of AUGUST 2024.
“We are deeply saddened by this transition but comforted by the fact that our dear Leader lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by all.
“His contributions to our branch in particular, the legal profession and the entire country in general will forever remain indelible.
“Burial arrangements will be announced upon confirmation from his immediate family.
“As we condole with his family, kindly remember them in prayers at this critical time.”
One of the close associates of the deceased said he died in his course of fighting for injustice.
He said, “It is a very sad day. Words alone can’t express how sad I felt hearing of the demise of this doggedly relentless man, Adesina Ogunlana. He died at his desk doing what he loved most, fighting for justice for all. May his soul rest in eternal power.”
