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| The Late Chief MKO Abiola |
What prompted you to study Law?
While I was in secondary school, one of my uncles, who was a professor of Law at the University of Lagos, came visiting. He said that I dressed smartly and talked intelligently, that I would make a good lawyer. From that day, I had it in mind that I wanted to become a lawyer.
While I was in secondary school, one of my uncles, who was a professor of Law at the University of Lagos, came visiting. He said that I dressed smartly and talked intelligently, that I would make a good lawyer. From that day, I had it in mind that I wanted to become a lawyer.
What memorable experiences can you recall from your childhood?
I was born and raised in Ayede Ekiti, Ekiti State, and I remember that I was an exceptional student in school. I had the best result in my primary school but my father did not believe in educating girls. He told me to go and learn tailoring from one of the local seamstresses in the town at that time. But I refused to do that; I rather stayed at home and was helping my mother in hawking and doing other things. Then, one day, one of my primary school teachers saw me and asked me why I wasn’t in school. The teacher followed me home and prostrated for my mother. He told her that even if she had to sell all her clothes to fund my education to send me to school, she should do it. And in those days, people respected teachers, so that was how I was enrolled at Ayede Grammar School. Upon graduation from secondary school, I went to the Federal School of Arts and Science in Victoria Island, Lagos. After that, I proceeded to the University of Lagos, where I studied Law. One of the most memorable and painful experiences I can recall was the death of my mother shortly after my secondary school education. She basically poured out her life to make her children successful. All her children are female and she made us understand that the fact that we are girls should not limit us in becoming whatever we wanted.
It is believed that the standard of education has fallen in Nigeria. How would you assess the quality of education you had?
I attended the University of Lagos, which was regarded as one of the best schools in those days. Almost all the courses were handled by professors, and we had other lecturers, like Prof. Osipitan, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (now Vice President), among others, who were taking us tutorials. During my time at UNILAG, there was no strike, and I graduated at the normal time.
How would you describe Prof. Osinbajo as a lecturer?
He was a very brilliant man and all the students wanted to be in his class. Though I wasn’t initially in his class, I had to smuggle myself in to benefit from his teachings. He was very accommodating and a good teacher. We knew he was going places. He really influenced us positively.
What aspect of law do you specialise in?
I do a lot of commercial and property law. I also engage in public law because I hate seeing people being oppressed.
Where was the first place you worked as a lawyer?
When I completed my youth service, I moved to Lagos, where I joined the firm of the professor who triggered my interest in law, Olaide Adigun & Co. I rose to become the head of chamber there before I left to start my own practice, Adenike Akerele & Co. in 1991.
What was the first brief you got after you started your practice?
Prior to starting my practice, I was earning N500 per month. But the first brief I got was to prepare a will, and it didn’t take me more than three days to conclude it. I remember that I was paid N55,000 for that job.
You were once the treasurer of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. What are some of the highlights of your time as an NBA executive?
The Ikeja branch of the NBA was the most active branch during the military era. One of the strategies of the military was to incapacitate the NBA, which is a professional body that stands for justice. The military penetrated the association and it got so bad that they had lawyers on their payroll who reported all our activities and decisions to them. That’s why many members of the NBA were always in detention because anybody could be picked up by the military at any time. However, I was very active and bold. Even if a person was holding a gun, I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind. When M. K. O. Abiola was arrested in 1994, I moved the motion that the NBA should represent him at the trial. Even though he was a rich man, I felt the issue at stake was more about fighting for the human rights of a man who was freely elected by Nigerians, and was denied his mandate. Some people rose up against the motion, saying Abiola was rich enough and could afford to pay for his legal representation. At the end of the day, we cast votes and it was decided that the NBA should be involved in Abiola’s defence.
What was your experience during the Abiola trial?
We went there every time he was brought to court and we were supporting G. O. K. Ajayi, who was the main defence counsel that was employed by Abiola’s family. We were usually harassed by soldiers anytime we appeared in court. At a point, the Nigerian Medical Association wrote to the judge handling the case that Abiola was no longer fit to stand trial because of his poor state of health. He had an injury in his leg and was dragging his feet at that time. Based on that, Femi Falana moved a motion for his bail on medical grounds. But it was refused. Meanwhile, the right to life is respected under any charter anywhere in the world, but it seemed the military junta had already made up their minds to get rid of the man.
Did you have personal interactions with Abiola during the trial?
I had the opportunity of meeting Abiola one-on-one, and I saw a very brilliant and intelligent man. I believe that Nigeria lost something good in Abiola. Not only was he brilliant, he was very appreciative. He knew we (NBA) were not being paid for representing him and he used to thank everyone of us individually for coming to his defence. He always told me that he appreciated the fact that I left my children at home and came all the way to Abuja because of him. He did not look down on anybody. But the experience that stands out for me was the last day he was brought to court in our presence. At that time, the injury in his leg had gotten very bad. Then, whenever the court was on recess, he would have personal interactions with his wives. On that particular day, I was going out of the courtroom as he was coming in, and it struck my mind that that could be the last time I would ever see him. Immediately, my countenance changed and he asked me if I was okay. I told him I was and I left the court; but my mind was troubled, and I had to turn back to have an audience with him. At that time, he was already in the dock; so, I took a small pocket Bible to him there. I told him that I was sorry I never discussed life after death with him prior to that time, and that I just wanted to give him the Bible which would be of great use to him in prison. After I said that, he put his hands into his pocket, brought out the same type of Bible I had given him, and he said, “Mrs. Akerele, I have seen the light.” That was my last discussion with him, and it also happened to be my most memorable day of the trial.
What was the lowest point for you during that era?
That was when Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, was assassinated. I never knew that they could be so barbaric to kill a woman. For about three days after her death, I couldn’t eat. I was disillusioned.
You are also a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Ireland. How did that come about?
I still practise actively in Ireland, and I have a registered firm there. At a point, my children relocated to Dublin for their education when they were in their teenage years and my husband wanted me to go there with them. It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever took in my life. At that time, I believed I was at the pinnacle of my career in Nigeria. In fact, I became depressed when I got to Ireland. I didn’t know how to do anything other than law, so I approached the law society in Ireland to be registered as a solicitor. But they told me that they didn’t have reciprocal relationship with the Nigerian Bar Association, so, I couldn’t be registered. At that point, I was so frustrated. I set up a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which was one of the church’s first branches in Ireland. As I was doing that, a friend called and advised me to take the bar exams in England. I followed her advice and within a year, I was enrolled as a solicitor in England. Once I became qualified in England, I returned to Ireland to take some exams, and I was registered there as well. I am the first Nigerian to be enrolled as a solicitor in Ireland. Thereafter, I worked in an Irish law firm for sometime before setting up my practice, Rehoboth Solicitors.
How would you compare legal practice in Ireland and Nigeria?
Law practice in Nigeria is very vibrant. The major difference is in the area of supervision by the law society. The law society in Ireland plays a strictly supervisory role. Lawyers cannot afford to mess around over there because their activities are always monitored. Everything is documented, and you have to let the client know everything you want to do even before you formally accept the brief. Over there, a lawyer can easily lose her certificate for misconduct and breach of professional ethics. Because of that, lawyers there are more proactive and the integrity of the profession is maintained. Lawyers also have to sit exams every year for their certificates to be renewed yearly.
What are some of the qualities that have helped you thus far in your career?
I get along with people easily, and I don’t look down on anybody. I also genuinely love to help people. I have learnt never to give up, so I always pursue my goals with all that I have.
How are you able maintain balance between your career and family?
With God, everything is possible. I have the cooperation of my family in everything that I do. Two of my children are lawyers, while the other one is a medical doctor. I always carry them along in all I do. When my children were growing up, I devoted a lot of time to them and I used to monitor their school work.
What role has your husband played in your career?
He has always been supportive and he believes so much in me. He encourages me and he tells me that I can do it.
How do you unwind?
I read and I enjoy playing with my grandchildren whenever they are around. I also enjoy travelling.
How do you like to dress?
I’m not really into fashion. I just love to be comfortable.
I was born and raised in Ayede Ekiti, Ekiti State, and I remember that I was an exceptional student in school. I had the best result in my primary school but my father did not believe in educating girls. He told me to go and learn tailoring from one of the local seamstresses in the town at that time. But I refused to do that; I rather stayed at home and was helping my mother in hawking and doing other things. Then, one day, one of my primary school teachers saw me and asked me why I wasn’t in school. The teacher followed me home and prostrated for my mother. He told her that even if she had to sell all her clothes to fund my education to send me to school, she should do it. And in those days, people respected teachers, so that was how I was enrolled at Ayede Grammar School. Upon graduation from secondary school, I went to the Federal School of Arts and Science in Victoria Island, Lagos. After that, I proceeded to the University of Lagos, where I studied Law. One of the most memorable and painful experiences I can recall was the death of my mother shortly after my secondary school education. She basically poured out her life to make her children successful. All her children are female and she made us understand that the fact that we are girls should not limit us in becoming whatever we wanted.
It is believed that the standard of education has fallen in Nigeria. How would you assess the quality of education you had?
I attended the University of Lagos, which was regarded as one of the best schools in those days. Almost all the courses were handled by professors, and we had other lecturers, like Prof. Osipitan, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (now Vice President), among others, who were taking us tutorials. During my time at UNILAG, there was no strike, and I graduated at the normal time.
How would you describe Prof. Osinbajo as a lecturer?
He was a very brilliant man and all the students wanted to be in his class. Though I wasn’t initially in his class, I had to smuggle myself in to benefit from his teachings. He was very accommodating and a good teacher. We knew he was going places. He really influenced us positively.
What aspect of law do you specialise in?
I do a lot of commercial and property law. I also engage in public law because I hate seeing people being oppressed.
Where was the first place you worked as a lawyer?
When I completed my youth service, I moved to Lagos, where I joined the firm of the professor who triggered my interest in law, Olaide Adigun & Co. I rose to become the head of chamber there before I left to start my own practice, Adenike Akerele & Co. in 1991.
What was the first brief you got after you started your practice?
Prior to starting my practice, I was earning N500 per month. But the first brief I got was to prepare a will, and it didn’t take me more than three days to conclude it. I remember that I was paid N55,000 for that job.
You were once the treasurer of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. What are some of the highlights of your time as an NBA executive?
The Ikeja branch of the NBA was the most active branch during the military era. One of the strategies of the military was to incapacitate the NBA, which is a professional body that stands for justice. The military penetrated the association and it got so bad that they had lawyers on their payroll who reported all our activities and decisions to them. That’s why many members of the NBA were always in detention because anybody could be picked up by the military at any time. However, I was very active and bold. Even if a person was holding a gun, I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind. When M. K. O. Abiola was arrested in 1994, I moved the motion that the NBA should represent him at the trial. Even though he was a rich man, I felt the issue at stake was more about fighting for the human rights of a man who was freely elected by Nigerians, and was denied his mandate. Some people rose up against the motion, saying Abiola was rich enough and could afford to pay for his legal representation. At the end of the day, we cast votes and it was decided that the NBA should be involved in Abiola’s defence.
What was your experience during the Abiola trial?
We went there every time he was brought to court and we were supporting G. O. K. Ajayi, who was the main defence counsel that was employed by Abiola’s family. We were usually harassed by soldiers anytime we appeared in court. At a point, the Nigerian Medical Association wrote to the judge handling the case that Abiola was no longer fit to stand trial because of his poor state of health. He had an injury in his leg and was dragging his feet at that time. Based on that, Femi Falana moved a motion for his bail on medical grounds. But it was refused. Meanwhile, the right to life is respected under any charter anywhere in the world, but it seemed the military junta had already made up their minds to get rid of the man.
Did you have personal interactions with Abiola during the trial?
I had the opportunity of meeting Abiola one-on-one, and I saw a very brilliant and intelligent man. I believe that Nigeria lost something good in Abiola. Not only was he brilliant, he was very appreciative. He knew we (NBA) were not being paid for representing him and he used to thank everyone of us individually for coming to his defence. He always told me that he appreciated the fact that I left my children at home and came all the way to Abuja because of him. He did not look down on anybody. But the experience that stands out for me was the last day he was brought to court in our presence. At that time, the injury in his leg had gotten very bad. Then, whenever the court was on recess, he would have personal interactions with his wives. On that particular day, I was going out of the courtroom as he was coming in, and it struck my mind that that could be the last time I would ever see him. Immediately, my countenance changed and he asked me if I was okay. I told him I was and I left the court; but my mind was troubled, and I had to turn back to have an audience with him. At that time, he was already in the dock; so, I took a small pocket Bible to him there. I told him that I was sorry I never discussed life after death with him prior to that time, and that I just wanted to give him the Bible which would be of great use to him in prison. After I said that, he put his hands into his pocket, brought out the same type of Bible I had given him, and he said, “Mrs. Akerele, I have seen the light.” That was my last discussion with him, and it also happened to be my most memorable day of the trial.
What was the lowest point for you during that era?
That was when Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, was assassinated. I never knew that they could be so barbaric to kill a woman. For about three days after her death, I couldn’t eat. I was disillusioned.
You are also a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Ireland. How did that come about?
I still practise actively in Ireland, and I have a registered firm there. At a point, my children relocated to Dublin for their education when they were in their teenage years and my husband wanted me to go there with them. It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever took in my life. At that time, I believed I was at the pinnacle of my career in Nigeria. In fact, I became depressed when I got to Ireland. I didn’t know how to do anything other than law, so I approached the law society in Ireland to be registered as a solicitor. But they told me that they didn’t have reciprocal relationship with the Nigerian Bar Association, so, I couldn’t be registered. At that point, I was so frustrated. I set up a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which was one of the church’s first branches in Ireland. As I was doing that, a friend called and advised me to take the bar exams in England. I followed her advice and within a year, I was enrolled as a solicitor in England. Once I became qualified in England, I returned to Ireland to take some exams, and I was registered there as well. I am the first Nigerian to be enrolled as a solicitor in Ireland. Thereafter, I worked in an Irish law firm for sometime before setting up my practice, Rehoboth Solicitors.
How would you compare legal practice in Ireland and Nigeria?
Law practice in Nigeria is very vibrant. The major difference is in the area of supervision by the law society. The law society in Ireland plays a strictly supervisory role. Lawyers cannot afford to mess around over there because their activities are always monitored. Everything is documented, and you have to let the client know everything you want to do even before you formally accept the brief. Over there, a lawyer can easily lose her certificate for misconduct and breach of professional ethics. Because of that, lawyers there are more proactive and the integrity of the profession is maintained. Lawyers also have to sit exams every year for their certificates to be renewed yearly.
What are some of the qualities that have helped you thus far in your career?
I get along with people easily, and I don’t look down on anybody. I also genuinely love to help people. I have learnt never to give up, so I always pursue my goals with all that I have.
How are you able maintain balance between your career and family?
With God, everything is possible. I have the cooperation of my family in everything that I do. Two of my children are lawyers, while the other one is a medical doctor. I always carry them along in all I do. When my children were growing up, I devoted a lot of time to them and I used to monitor their school work.
What role has your husband played in your career?
He has always been supportive and he believes so much in me. He encourages me and he tells me that I can do it.
How do you unwind?
I read and I enjoy playing with my grandchildren whenever they are around. I also enjoy travelling.
How do you like to dress?
I’m not really into fashion. I just love to be comfortable.
Adenike Akerele, speaks with TOFARATI IGE on the highlights of her career.
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