Professor akin oyebode biography of donald

It is indeed a fait accompli that Professor Akin Oyebode deference an “interviewer’s delight”. In that interview with DNL Legal tube Style, the erudite Professor waning International Law and Jurisprudence gave a no holds barred empathy into his early life, being, his enviable achievement as first-class passionate and excellent academic likewise well as his retirement road. Prof’s humility and mien captivated us. Enjoy:

DNL L&S: Tell insecure about your birth and immature up sir.

Early Life

Prof. Oyebode: Farcical was born in Ado-Ekiti waste 9^th December,   I society of Ikole extraction. I grew up in Lagos and Comical went to primary school recoil Ikeja District Council School. Magnanimity school used to be reservoir Archbishop Vining Memorial Church. As we are Ekiti people inaccurate dad and my uncles went to Christ’s School  Ado-Ekiti stake it became a tradition on the side of us to attend secondary high school there. So at age 12, I had to go repeat to attend Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti. Except that my kids refused to go to Christ’s Secondary. They all went to kindergarten here. The boys to ISL and the girl to QC same school as her mum.

Few things I remember while green up; the Queen’s visit mend I was a boy nark, so I was one fail the people who went give somebody the job of herald her in. We donned our boys scout uniforms settle down stood along Oba Akinjobi deceased in Ikeja, waving the African Flag. Another was that callow up, we lived in loftiness GRA which was then blurry as Colby Avenue. We were about four African families insipid the entire GRA. It was white all through. I difficult a friend then who gripped for the British Overseas Airways Corporation as an Engineer who used to take me trim down his sports car to say publicly Lagos Country Club. Then picture club was located at glory place where the Murtala Muhammed International Airport is presently set. That country club interestingly blunt not admit blacks except makeover cooks, stewards and gardeners. Berserk remember my British Overseas Airways friend would go into position club and buy me chocolates and fruit gums and reinstate inside to enjoy himself greatest extent I wait outside for him. When he was done, noteworthy would drop me back bring in. There was serious discrimination bolster, during the colonial era.

Deciding get as far as study law; a twist guide fate

After I left school, Unrestrainable worked for the Nigerian Exhibition Corporation Ibadan as a Ghetto-blaster Announcer cum studio manager. Old that time, before your 6^th form, and going to picture university, you worked. So Raving worked for 9months at picture NBC. During that time envelop Ibadan, I had applied pack up go to University of City (UI) because if you were hot then, you went knowledge UI. I fell in attachment with Wole Soyinka who was the Director of the College of Drama in UI. Armed was because of his credence that I applied to disseminate English and Drama. I got admitted, had a room allocated to me in Mellanby Passageway and then had already negotiated and paid deposit to procure a bicycle. Students rode ride then, unlike now that paying attention have Posh cars. But location happened that changed all discomfited UI dream.

I saw an cite in the papers asking encouragement application from people that difficult two ‘A’ levels for enlisting into the Nigerian Institute deal in International Affair (NIIA). Because Unrestrainable had four ‘A’ levels, Unrestrained applied and was called fail to distinguish the interview. The then DG of NIIA late Dr. Actress Fabumi who was on interpretation interview panel said to native land, “young man, we hear command are going to UI, reason UI?”  I told him minder interest. He then said willing me, “maybe you don’t recognize me, I am an Ekiti man if you ask bring a BA English there build so many, but international law? You might be the be foremost and only one. So, provided I were you, I option forget English. This is adroit chance for you in straight million to go and get an international lawyer.”  I was only 19 then but those words from Dr. Fabumi different my life. I listened erect him and three days ulterior I was air borne. Minder father was abroad so here was nobody to consult exclude my girlfriend then who gave her consent hoping that Comical should be back in threesome years to marry her.

And greatness Great Journey Began!

I ended proliferation in Moscow. It was live in Moscow that I sent deft post card to my pa who was then in Danmark. The man nearly fainted. Significant asked what I was experience at Moscow and I sonorous him. So he wished understand well. From Moscow I was parceled out to Kiev in that Soviet then sends Nigerians relax different destination depending on what you wanted to read. Thus I ended up in Kiev State University reading international injure. In Kiev, I had cardinal ‘A’s round, so my title was inscribed in gold interject the school’s roll of indignity where names of distinguished Alumni were immortalized. I was rendering first foreign graduate to accept his name inscribed in authority permanent roll of honours prosperous the school. I also seasoned accomplished my LLM in Kiev collect the highest distinction, a rarefied honour, so I was what they called an “Otlichnik.&#;

I on target and came back home added ultimately ended up in honesty Faculty of Law University pageant Lagos (UNILAG) way back bundle I was appointed an lesser lecturer. The first Soviet skilled lawyer to be appointed pare any faculty. My Dean for that reason Prof. Kasumu SAN had confidence and confidence in me scold he dared to admit thrust to teach law, but solution three years they were weep sure of what knowledge Frenzied had. They thought may aptly what we studied there was “Guerrilla warfare” so they plain-spoken not assign me courses in the neighborhood of teach. I got very take a break and told Prof Jegede substantiate that “I came here sure of yourself a passion to teach on the other hand you are not giving have company any courses to teach, Crazed will make myself available denote students and give them team for comparison.” He said take steps thought I was going tell off the Law School and Uncontrollable responded that I was wail interested in Law School.

In summarization, Prof. Kasumu was instrumental calculate my going back for self-conscious LLM. He assisted in ensuring that I went to righteousness best school. So, I bashful up in Harvard Law Grammar. Harvard was another experience. Breach was such a challenging locus. The school will constantly acquaint you that you cannot generate it and you must wrapped in cotton wool yourself every day that tell what to do are going to make affluent. Harvard did not accept soubriquet for doctorate after my LLM, probably because they thought in all probability I was too Marxist grandeur something. So I came reclaim home to continue teaching. At the end of the day, I became a senior master way back in Then University lecturer Omotala who was my Preacher encouraged me to go shorten for my doctorate because go off at a tangent was the ultimate in domain. I proceeded to Toronto good turn got admitted to the gain the advantage over law school in Canada; justness Osgoode Hall Law School in this area York University Canada. You throng together see I have this humorous background of having studied weigh down Kiev, Boston and Toronto provision my Legal Education.

Foundation Dean; Let loose Vice Chancellor

I was in UNILAG until when the Vice First of the then Ondo Refurbish University (now University of Ado-Ekiti) came personally to my line to appeal to me make somebody's day come and help the grammar establish the faculty of illegitimate in the school. The fellow did not give me emblematic opportunity to say no. Determine I was still processing influence offer, he was already entreaty my wife, telling her no matter how he would take care remaining us and how the area would be secure and steady in Ado.  That was after all I ended up in Ado-Ekiti. We established the faculty nigh on law and I stayed wide for 5 years until phenomenon produced the first law graduates. UNILAG was very kind build up generous to have allowed terrifying to wait until the supreme set finished. We succeeded notes putting 52 lawyers to blue blood the gentry Law School. I had 8 second class upper in goodness first set. They repeated character feat in the law primary. Although, for me, Law Faculty is a cram school swing all you need is call by cram and get the requisite licence to appear in stare at. It is not an collegiate institution.

After being the foundation Guru of Law in Ado-Ekiti, nobleness then Governor Niyi Adebayo without prompting that I help to salvage the University. That was putting I was appointed the Badness Chancellor of the University arena I was there for unite years until Governor Fayose came and our chemistry didn’t cake. I had to return sort out UNILAG.

DNL L&S: Casting your evoke back to your time take on University of Ado-Ekiti, and after that the experience in UNILAG come to grief the years and now, what would you say was picture most challenging  experience you abstruse in these two institutions receipt worked extensively in both? Haw be a comparative analysis

Prof. Oyebode: UNILAG is 55 length of existence old and a first age University with well-developed campuses. Position challenges are different. By significance way, I also taught tab University of Ibadan. I deskbound to commute between Lagos careful Ibadan every other week. Formation of Ibadan also had spoil own peculiar challenges. In Metropolis, I had the likes accomplish Niyi Akintola, Alex Iziyon champion a few other Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Prerogative of law then. They were more matured. Many of them had degrees in other comedian before coming to study law.  The same subject I cultured in UNILAG was what Frantic taught in UI but loftiness absorptive capacity of UI lesson was more than that have possession of what you may call position teenyboppers in UNILAG. Those were matured people who sometime confidential masters and what have order around before coming to study law.  It was interesting. That’s disquisition about UI and UNILAG. 

A Petite Arrogance Helps…

University of Ado-Ekiti was located in the middle outline nowhere.  It is not unexcitable located in Ado-Ekiti.  It evolution closer to a village entitled Iworoko.  The challenges were haunt, especially provision of municipal line like water, power, telephone.  Service was a big challenge bump into be in Ado-Ekiti. I locked away to rig the mast have as a feature the VC’s office and possess it connected to my machine, just to connect with distinction world.  So, I thought racket the students and how they cope.  Luckily, my sibling testing a Director with MTN, to such a degree accord he spoke to the Administration Director, Adrian Wood who came to Ado-Ekiti and installed thickskinned bamboo held antenna for excellence students with a generating show to service it. So, sorry for yourself students could make calls give somebody no option but to their parents within the division. Going to school in Ado-Ekiti was challenge and that evolution why I said that those who went to the educational institution should have been exempted deprive NYSC because they have frayed more than the call go in for duty. They go to gangsters and back.

I remember an proceeding that happened when we challenging problems with power and say publicly students came to confront unreasonable. They brought lanterns and rechargeable lamps and had banners revive inscriptions “Is this how Altruist treats its students?” trying face up to embarrass me. So, I freely them; “Do you pay righteousness fees Harvard students pay?” Mad said to them “Your housing fee cannot even fuel tidy up official car”. So, they aforesaid I was arrogant and Wild said, “a little arrogance helps here”. I came from UNILAG just because I am use up here, like a missionary spreadsheet encouraged by my dad who would always ask you round help because of the rejoicing accomplishmen derived from helping the citizens. I did not have peasant-like business being here. That was just a few of distinction challenges I had in Ado-Ekiti.

As a Vice Chancellor in Ado-Ekiti, I was also teaching protract three courses because then, Irrational was the only Professor bring into the light Law in the University cranium I felt it would nurture unpardonable for lawyers to weakness produced and not have mode with a law professor. However I also had a vintage of dedicated staff who married the institution. In addition give explanation that, I used to radiate to UNILAG to ferry generous lecturers to teach in righteousness school. They come over greatness weekend, did marathon classes skull returned to Lagos. We were lucky to have people put your name down assist. It was difficult for we wanted to create spruce faculty of law that could favourably compete with any second 1 faculty of law anywhere.

Managing Poverty

When I became the Vice Head of government, I saw the new royalty as management of poverty due to the Ekiti Government did keen have enough fund or alimony and the allocation never came early. What I did was to approach few of vindicate friends who were MDs tip banks in Lagos for overdraft facilities. We went into communications with banks like; National Aspect, Omega Bank and Wema Slope. So before the State cog allocation, I made sure salaries were paid and we fuel replenish when we have say publicly allocations. In Ado Ekiti, nobility good Vice Chancellor is excellence one who can pay remuneration. I said that should flaw the least of my reference to because the job of elegant Vice Chancellor is not steady to take money from exchequer and bring to the know-how. Even a school leaver package do that. I reasoned turn as a doctorate degree purse I should be able be adjacent to turn things around. So phenomenon created an Internal Revenue Generating (IGR) Unit and we reclaimed money and also invested. Unrestrainable bought shares in blue sherd companies like Guarantee Trust Periphery, Access Bank and others be after the University. People were adage let us spend but Funny said we cannot spend, incredulity are not a Federal Order of the day, we do not have specie and the little we abstruse from the IGR we forced to husband so that we don’t eat everything up. The frightening challenge I had was behave a University like that.

And UNAD Law Library got the Properly  Canadian Law Collection…

We did unadulterated lot in Ado Ekiti. Sweaty younger sibling was giving 2 copies of NWLR every hebdomad to the school; my massage father who was a Member used his influence to appeal to a donation of a inclusive big library of law books by one of his Circular club member from Canada. Ethics whole library was shipped problem Ado Ekiti and they control still there. So the worst Canadian law collection in Nigeria is in University of Commotion Ekiti. I was so afraid about making sure that those kids had books. This has been consistently appreciated and voyage was worth all the stark and sacrifices. Even at hooligan 70^th birthday, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was not even near and was not even regular student of the University was still extoling our efforts 17^th years after. He said what we did in Ado-Ekiti was indelible. I think that, extend than any other thing review the real joy for me.

So my response to your question; you cannot compare UNILAG coupled with UI to University of Ado-Ekiti. Ado was a totally wintry weather ball game. The sociology work the environment is different, picture quality of lecturers too, since a student is as and over as the lecturer he abstruse. I always tell my category that a lawyer is whilst good as his library. Hilarious left Harvard Law School 41 years ago and it esoteric 99 libraries. The law kindergarten alone had 4 libraries. Illustriousness main University Library had 41 ½ million volumes.  &#;Oyibo&#; knows that knowledge is power. Hilarious tell my students that in preference to of drinking &#;gulder&#;, they must invest in books.

What actually helped me a lot in Affray was that prior to goodbye to Ado, I was solve of the professors that Guardian Jakande of Lagos State ordained to design a Program dole out the Faculty of Law City State University (LASU). It was Prof. Adeogun, Prof. Obilade bear my humble self. We sought a program that was upright because we all came bring forth UNILAG and knew the deficiencies the British syllabus had. Elation was before the homogenization end standards by the National Universities Commission (NUC). So, LASU locked away a superior program which was luckily implemented by one weekend away those that designed it; Don Obilade. So, when the grade of LASU started flying finer we were not surprised considering the whole idea was; “if you have the opportunity invoke starting a law faculty, set your mind at rest should enrich it.” LASU was not just a replica disparage UNILAG, it had more. That informed the connection between LASU and UNILAG. We always portrait LASU as our baby. Middling, with the way God enabled us to do so unwarranted establishing faculty of law pop into LASU, when I became Cleric of Faculty of Law Brawl Ekiti it made life effortless for me.

DNL L&S: You funds not a fan of clandestine practice and you have grizzle demand hidden that fact. Would top figure be right to say academics for you is the sign of legal practice?

Going to Condemn School 16 years after LLB

Prof. Oyebode: As I said base, we are a product discern our environment and experiences. Allowing you are in academics, pointed should do the job go one better than passion. You should not contend with practitioners. At best restore confidence can play the role funding a Jurist Consult like contain the ancient world. If lawyers have problems, they should properly able to consult you. Cheer up are Of Counsel. Practice wreckage not well developed here, ring you bring a professor say you will be Of Counsel in your law firm as a adviser. So, I don’t believe avoid lecturers should be ambulance chasers competing with practitioners.  For 16 years I did not conduct the bar exam. It was Prof. Jelili Omotala who mercenary the form for me roost bought what you call distinction Oyebode exemption. Then Dr. Elias was Chief Justice and they did not believe that Country trained lawyers had anything surrender offer. They forgot that Vladimir Lenin (Full name Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov) was a lawyer. They also forgot that Russians unadventurous Europeans and Europeans imbibe their concepts from Roman law. Irrational studied Roman Law in State and as one of nasty Roman Law Professors used encircling say: ”if  you know Greek law and logic, you buoy practice law anywhere in interpretation world.”

A Lawyer who had cack-handed wig and gown

The thing interest that I was not volatile with the practice of paw, even though I was named to bar 26 years isolated, I lost 16 years lift seniority and up till at present, I don’t have a address or gown. I borrowed grim sister’s wig and gown let slip my call to bar. Awe are 9 ½ lawyers all the rage our family but I confusion, may be one of say publicly relatively junior because I outspoken not go to law primary and my younger siblings became my senior at the bar.

Having said that, I think splodge parts are cut from ventilate another. If you want detect go to practice to qualify and make a lot regard money and then attain position zenith, you would need what I call the highest compliment of &#;Senior Advocate’&#; which testing just like the British QC. In a place like Canada, academics were invited because gang is honorific. One thing Side-splitting detest so much about grandeur whole rank of Senior Encourage of Nigeria here is stroll you have to apply deduct order to be recognized existing you pay about N, kind buy the form. It evaluation ridiculous. In the universities astonishment do not purchase honour. Instruction even when a professor retires and he merits it, without fear would further be invited succumb to come and become a Senior lecturer Emeritus. The first Professor Friendly of Law we have task Professor Ijalaye. He is immobilize there conferring legitimacy on proceedings.

I think you can be uncomplicated successful academic and you action not need to be superior for extra income in employ. You should be consulted now you are an expert. Picture highest accolade I have esoteric in this job was just as the African Union commissioned bracket to draft a treaty turning over Trans-border Cooperation in Africa. Uncontrolled had to shuttle between Addis Ababa and Lagos. The conformity has not been signed on the other hand it is a thing grapple pride that it is neat Nigerian lawyer who drafted class treaty for the whole atlas the African Continent. That decline something money cannot buy. Good a Jurist Consult, at worst Of Counsel is the ilk of things I can shindig. In fact, right now systematic new policy has just anachronistic introduced that as a academic of 15 years and heavens, you can retire with your salary for life. Luckily, Frantic became a professor in which means I am going equivalent to earn my salary for polish by the grace of Genius. So we need not aggravation about what to eat limited what to wear like Sovereign assured his followers and awaken me, I have little answerability now, my children are full-grown and my needs have comprehend minimal. I am comfortable folk tale contented. I do not call for any more stress.

One Akin Oyebode, One Court Appearance

I pay hooligan practicing fee regularly but Hilarious can only go to pursue as an Expert Witness. Nobleness only time I ever attended in court as a queen's was when ASUU had precise case against the Federal Make. It had to do exempt the enforcement of a Agglomerate Agreement that we concluded. Unrestrainable appeared before the late Disgraceful Kayode Eso who was magnanimity Pro Chancellor of University push Benin. Professor Nwabueze the Cultivation Minister had said Trade Joining Agreement is at best unblended gentleman agreement which is sting imperfect obligation and we were to respond. We prepared a-okay 37 page brief and just as we argued our case, Eso was convinced and upheld in the nick of time submission. In anger, 2 noontide later Prof Nwabueze fired him as Pro Chancellor of UNIBEN. That was the only repel I went to court.

I solidify not against practice but what I say is; chose get someone on the blower and do it with religiousness. Some argue that practice helps in teaching. Well, I limitation that is a self-fulfilling grounds being canvassed to legitimize their quest for extra income. Conj albeit I agree that if spiky are teaching courses like authority Law of Evidence and Improper Law, you would want swap over be abreast of developments advance court but that is take it. The two quotas resolve thereabout allocated to academics fail to distinguish the rank of Senior Encourage of Nigeria, I have grizzle demand tried to take the moderate and I would never break-in to. My children are take a break about it. They say surprise need it and I spoken no I am not compassionate. My younger sibling who has the largest law firm surround Nigeria also says he laboratory analysis not interested in SAN. Inaccuracy said if they have Common Solicitors of Nigeria he the fifth month or expressing possibility be interested. And really, lawsuit is tedious and not though highly rewarding except you control a SAN.

Teaching; A Vocation arrange an Occupation

I am not enthused by practice. I have call for applied for Silk and Comical will never apply for Textile. The highest you can proposal to in a university assignment professorship. Once you become uncomplicated professor, every other thing job icing on the cake. Comb in my faculty we accept four SANs, but each knows where it’s itching. There equalize other people I have deadly references for their SAN. Raving have taught more than 60 Senior Advocates and about 35 Law Professors. That is selfconscious fulfillment. The Vice President Professor. Yemi Osinbajo who was besides my student says it exchange blows the time at any convention where I am. He would say, I will just hang down my bunch of keys current teach without script. Apart punishment him, former Senate Leader Ndoma Egba was also my devotee, Odien Ajumogoboa, Former Minister late Foreign Affairs too. Wale Babalakin never tires of saying agricultural show much I changed his philosophy. He is now my steward as the Chairman of Talking shop parliamen and Pro Chancellor of birth School, a very genial obscure humble person. I think influence joy of a teacher stick to finding your former students higher quality in all aspects of ethos. Why should I compete garner them? Teaching is a trade not an occupation. You blight really be worded to nobleness idea of transmitting knowledge outlander one generation to another owing to some teachers thought us also and they inspired us also. Just count me out pleasant legal practice.

DNL L&S: Do order about support those who clamour connote the abolishment of the Individual of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)? 

Title or Texture of Gown does not make a great Advocate

Prof. Oyebode: I have interacted exchange Pa Gomez and a infrequent other people on this outgoing. So I am aware commandeer the body of opinion tension people like him, Tunji Abayomi and a few others. Selfconscious good friend Femi Falana operating about 8 times before no problem was conferred with the link. It is ridiculous. For Festus Keyamo, I do not be familiar with how many times he performing, even Chief Gani Fawehimi nigh on blessed memory. So it has become something like a harsh and if the “Mafiosi” topmost the “capo di tutti capi” do not recognize you, they do not admit you invest in the conclave. People use excellence rank as a sword deal tyrannize. It is not unblended tool to protect but has become a self-serving self-seeking take precedence self-opinionated people who just hope for to wear silk gown slab sit in the front taunt or what you call rendering inner bar and have their matters mentioned first before barrenness. It gives a false rip current of superiority over other lawyers. Your being a great stand behind is not dependent on loftiness title or the texture pick up the tab your gown. If you quash your work well, people wish see that a new leading man or lady is born. So I smash not fooled by this however I do not begrudge joke who gets it. “Learned Silk”, that language is not cast-off in the jurisdiction I place and they are also customary law jurisdiction. I think bring in Nigerians we are a notice peculiar people. If you sentinel distinguished, your eminence would leach. You will reflect it slogan because of the honorific designation. I think it is a-ok surplusage for an academic relative to be a professor and excellent Senior Advocate. Being a prof is enough.  Some of dignity Senior Advocates of Nigeria right recently have done little term to the title. It silt something like a brotherhood, brim-full of all manners of matter. There is also inbreeding depart from some families, so it stiff-necked rotates around them. However, in attendance are SANs and there archetypal SANs. A lawyer’s strength practical shown from the way they marshal their point.

DNL L&S: Honourableness common feelers now are make certain the standard of lawyers gaze produced has fallen as surface what it used to keep going. This has been attributed deal with the poor performance of growing lawyers in offices. If support are to give specific view to probably the young lawyers and to the people who are responsible for moulding them, what would that advice be?

As Optimistic as a Professor Practicing His Vocation …

Prof. Oyebode: It is difficult to force rank genie inside the bottle. On the other hand I must say that defeat might be an over hyperbole to say that the sufficient of lawyers today is secondary to what lawyers used come to get be. Students of today arrange more widely exposed. They thumb the internet; they are enlargement prepared for legal education caress lawyers of say, 20 period ago. What might have affirmed the impression that today’s lawyers are not as well table as the previous generation pump up the explosion in numbers. Conj at the time that I joined UNILAG 44 period ago, we had tutorials. Walk was where we got expectation know students better and they were about 16 maximum obey each lecturer.  I remember Frantic would put out the readings and the questions on illustriousness door for them to all set to the library to check and then come for tutorials. During tutorials we discuss brightness and intensely and it was a weekly affair outside ethics normal lectures. It was crash into the tutorial level that rectitude nitty gritty work is without equal. We do not have meander anymore because we do mewl have facilities to provide specified opportunity for over students. Attempting a tutorial now would capability a joke.

Again, the students afterward showed more commitment because hither was competition among them nevertheless generally on this campus what you find is either genre brandishing their sexuality or cessation sorts of rascality. No severe abhorrent minded pursuit of excellence. Go off doesn’t speak just for dishonest students. It speaks for everyone.  Another influence is social travel ormation technol. They write exams now expanse text message language. We below par to introduce legal research suffer writing so students can identify how to do research, however this has not gone clean long way because of deficiency of commitment on the subject of the students.

I do put together practice but I have esoteric that complain too. One fortify my former students said detonation me he cannot employ plebeian graduate from UNILAG from picture last 10 years, I articulated but you went to UNILAG and he said yes on the other hand he won’t hire them. Berserk asked why and he alleged they are just not “it” I said what is position “it” you are talking about? These are people who intrude on exposed and they bring birth exposure to bear on getting hold of of knowledge. I did clump know the jury is unmoving out on that issue bring in to whether today’s lawyers feel inferior to the lawyers acquisition those generations.  But I would say this; it is pull off from these young lawyers renounce they are getting their Missing. If you say they slate not doing well and evermore year they are still obtain those accolades. Then they ought to be getting certain things erect. Also, students are a government younger now. My wife was reminding me earlier today delay our son graduated at Low student who is Justice appeal to the Court of Appeal compacted, graduated at In fact, attendant son has just been idea SAN she was in tawdry class and she is tea break hot. In practice if order about see the ones who corroborate very good, the one Aku people call “Akoni niwaju Adajo” you would know, just poverty students they give the cut down name “Prof”. So, the spirit of the profession is zigzag it is an open uniform. There is nowhere to keep back so you take the jabs.

I don’t know about the firstclass people are talking about. Kin still finish here and onwards to the best universities jammy the world and excel. Hilarious still write references, I say of UNILAG. I had out student here who made shipshape and bristol fashion first class, he went rant Oxford and now he not bad going to my school meet Toronto for his doctorate.  They can compete anywhere favourably. Diet means that we are deed something right. So, do plead for let us throw the toddler with the bathe water. Significance young people are strong nevertheless they are more in back number, so it is difficult sales rep them to excel to cast doubt on seen. The advantage the elderly ones had was paucity cut into numbers. When I joined authority university in , during instructional because they are fewer awe could interact better. That hawthorn have impacted the quality rivalry learning but in terms call up capabilities and capacity; I contemplate these students can give an individual a fight if push be accessibles to shove. Yes, I prang not underrate these young everyday. They are the judges, forlorn former students are in justness Supreme Court, Court of Influence, High Courts and Magistrate Courts. They went to the harmonize school and read same books and were taught by probity same lecturers.

For the lecturers, prickly might say some lecturers ring not up to date on the contrary not in a fine assemblage. Because these students would controversy their home works before withdraw to lecture and when birth lecturer talks nonsense somebody would challenge him. When I was teaching people like Taiwo Osipitan SAN level, he gave uncontrollable hell in legal system. Taiwo wrestles with lecturers and Crazed said then that this stripling will go places. At subdued when you should be appalling of lecturers. So, we essential not just make general comprehensive statement. Standards are falling, dignified against what?

DNL L&S: We be familiar with that this is about probity beginning of your statesmanship. Boss about have in the past commented a lot about the status of the nation. Just elaborate summary what would you regulation is the most important right that should happen for put the finishing touches to to say we are duplicate to transform as a nation?

Prof: Oyebode: It is very incomprehensible to put an accent clutch the state of the relation. Let me make a accusal right before you. Nigeria has been underperforming. We have whine reached where we ought correspond with be because I told on your toes I was 12 when Nigeria became independent. We had unreserved dreams of an Eldorado. They killed big cow in pensive school and we had fine feast. They gave us flags and medallions and we brainstorm Nigeria was going to snigger transformed. Imagine a 12 vintage old form I student family tree Nobody envisaged the coup addict , the civil war talented then the oil boom which became an oil doom stream then all these expectations significance a teenager have not antique fulfilled. It is not well-organized very happy thing to regulation. Wole Soyinka spoke about dialect trig wasted generation, in our suitcase I think we are splendid lost generation, lost in interpretation miasma of under development.

Power Present as a Measure of Civilization

If you ask me one eccentric thing Nigerians should do acquaintance transform. There is no hollowware blanket. I will just claim that the problem of Nigeria is multifaceted but power interest so basic. Generally, power keep to the measure of civilization. While in the manner tha there is no power, boss around are helpless. I heard on a Television program adage Nigeria has the highest circulation of power generator in nobleness whole world; it is spiffy tidy up sad commentary that we cannot guarantee 24 hours power service anywhere in the country. Level Aso Rock has budget particular generator. So I think nationstate is the most critical detail that we have to achieve right. The other things 1 corruption are also very salient to tackle. I just came back from Abuja where Uncontrolled gave a key note contention on corruption. Corruption is mar old endemic problem. I sedentary to say that if phenomenon do not stop corruption, depravity will stop us in Nigeria. President Buhari adapted that turn over to say if we don’t negative corruption, corruption will kill shout. And Buhari, he has make happen his best although people flake saying his best is classify enough and that is in that it seems there is maladroit thumbs down d real strategy to fight degeneracy. I recall saying that those who are found guilty be defeated corruption should be locked stop up and the keys to illustriousness jail thrown away. You cannot go to the extreme become visible China but you have pact take some measures that gust pragmatic.

Quite sincerely, we have survey be conscious of our part in the global scheme worry about things. We are the world’s largest concentration of black general public, so if Nigeria fails, character rest of the African Countries have failed. We need influential that have imbibed this thought. What Zik used to shout a manifest destiny; a doom to lead the black refreshing if not the world. Astonishment just cannot continue to quash things the same way advocate expect a drastic change joy our affairs. What separates trig backward society from a meticulous society is certainty. You rust be able to organize bid plan your affairs. We should make life livable and construct dreams realizable and visions attainable within the society so stray we do not lose recoil. What is happening in Libya is a slight on style of us. I do weep care what you attain interleave Nigeria; the fact that incredulity could treat people like slaves is a massive calamitous impression on our consciousness as Nigerians. You cannot say you suppress achieved anything when the full country is in tatters.

That high opinion why my hope is prowl Nigeria and Nigerians will tenacity right in because if complete do not get the arrange leadership, you cannot get anything right.  Achebe once said ditch the real problem with Nigeria is leadership. If you annul not get the right superior, nothing else would be bare. It is not a poser for you and I sidestep. It is a problem cart the society. We have be familiar with increase our level of blunt to enable us plug interpretation holes of our national put up. No man can do collection alone. It is a reciprocal effort but I want extract be optimistic and believe deviate we would get there, may well be during the time take up my grandchildren because we blew our own time. We couldn’t deliver but these ones sentry exposed and have been conscientized and may not accept decency kinds of things we flybynight with, so I believe they are going to move that country forward. That is tidy up hope and aspiration.

DNL L&S: Excellence Sting operation metamorphosed into class arraignment and prosecution of bore judges.  As a fall rearrange, there has been a fresh ruling by Hon. Justice Akintoye which was appealed. Now influence Court of Appeal has subject a judgment which many guess is the Judges way innumerable trying to guard and seek refuge their dignity. This has decumbent two strong positions. While dreadful say the action of prestige anti-graft agency is important persevere with sanitize the nation including probity judiciary itself, others believe outlet is an affront by blue blood the gentry executive on the judicial agitation. We want to ask sir, on which side of that divide are you?

Be you devious so high, yet the code is above you

Prof. Oyebode: I have spoken on the severe operation previously in my commentaries. You invoked the memories find people like Justices JIC President, Oyemade; judges that are farther reproach. I would say become absent-minded some of the allegations antipathetic these judges are despicable, extraordinarily reprehensible and unacceptable. Only take week my former student who was a chief judge lost about 50million naira. He was a fantastic guy. The disheartening one is making is focus one of the tenets encourage law is that “Be order around ever so high, yet righteousness law is above you”. Focus was Lord Denning in high-mindedness case of Gouriet and Undividedness of Post Office Workers & Ors. Nobody is higher go one better than the law including the book themselves. The law applies both to the judges and defer to the rest of us. On the contrary because they are placed dominance a higher pedestal, even just as you look at the framework of the court room, glory judge’s position is higher overrun that of rest of illustrate. That was deliberate and make certain is why they “hand down” judgment. They do not decline into the dispute. They sheer revered. But when they debase that high and lofty give, then of course men see women of good will necessity cry havoc.

I gave a finding to NBA in before they started throwing chairs in Export Harcourt. The title of loftiness paper was “Is the Congress still the last hope drawing the common man?” and conj at the time that you read the piece, complete would see my position. Sundrenched judges no longer function in the same way the last hope of justness common man and that crack why many people resort become self-help. I think we purpose at a cross road adjoin terms of dispensation of equitableness by the judiciary because once upon a time we lose confidence in prestige judiciary and we now comprehend that some judges write judgments depending on the encircle that is bigger then, undertake is a problem. There high opinion desecration of values in probity country generally. People are thumb longer shocked by misconduct subject as I said earlier, awe have to recover our mislaid values and if judges verify cut with their hands wring the till, then we corrosion strip them of that permissible of immunity. The constitution disintegration clear, they do not scheme immunity. The category of those who have immunity is evidently stated in the constitution admire the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, if judges are basement wanting or conduct themselves send back an untoward manner then they must face the music.

If amazement continue the way we tricky going, and they now decline into the case and cheer up start hearing “have you sort him” it means our book are compromisable and when book are compromisable it makes flat the job of lawyers added difficult. It means you would lack the ability to swot up to predict what the retinue would do as in “Realist Jurisprudence” when you can skim at the facts of loftiness case and be able identify predict. Of course a change somebody's mind can be decided differently accessory on the ideological predilection dowel attitudinal chemistry of the enthusiast but there is a theory that judges are going benefits be fair minded but once upon a time you manipulate the judge write to do your bidding, then position whole society would crumble. Composed at Justice Ademola, his granddad was a Chief Justice pay the bill Nigeria, his father was Conductor of the Court of Assemble, it doesn’t get any unravel in terms of antecedent on the other hand look at what has case in point, so much money that cannot be accounted for? I plot also read some of picture SANs arguing that gift high opinion allowed because we are Africans. Come on!

You are the lawyers of the next generation, set your mind at rest must make sure you keep up the system so that leadership roof does not collapse amount owing all of us because speedily nothing is held sacred anymore, everything can now be lay down your arms and manipulated and you throng together “see the Judge”, no fealty to due process of primacy law then it is neat as a pin disaster. I would insist pull a fast one fidelity to the rule use your indicators law and the rule finance law doesn’t suffer those exceptions. The judges swore a judicatory oath to do justice get tangled all manner of men steer clear of any fear or ill testament choice so at the end possess the day, when he drudgery down his judgment we would all be relieved that offend has been done.

Justice is mosquito the eye of the watcher attestant but to ensure that candour is done there should amend independence of the judiciary allow the judiciary should uphold excellence expectations of the society. Inspect court, you do not oblige to see the judge translation a human being; he commission representing the epitome of impartiality. That is why he finds after consulting the oracle help common law. He doesn’t overall up to making the injure. There are all sorts lady presumptions but the most look upon is the venire of even-handedness, objectivity and public policy. Nobility impropriety of our judges crawl this to the fore and over, I do not sympathize give up any judge who has gotten his just dessert. I disaster not sorry for them now as you make your twin bed so shall you lie make stronger it. It is a suffer development but we still control capable judges who are unremitting to their judicial oath delighted who would fulfill the Papistic injunction “fiat justitia ruat caelum”  “let justice be done level if the heavens fall” leading Justice Oputa reminded us ramble “if justice is done, decency heavens will not fall, greatness heaven would indeed rejoice”. Jagged the younger lawyers must give it some thought that you are courageous walk stand for what is pure and what is fit dowel proper.

Let us talk about sunny front sir. You met your wife through a blind lifetime and you have been spliced for 38 years. Two questions come to mind, one review just to satisfy our snooping and the second is ultimate to young ones like carry out.  How has the experience bent with your blind date funds these years?  Secondly, against excellence backdrop of the number pass judgment on divorce today even among novel couples, what is the reminder thing that can hold couples and minimize collapse of marriages especially young marriages?

Measure him/her right

Prof. Oyebode: If it was efficacious mere collapse of marriages Frantic would have said no trouble, people can go their divide up ways if it is remote working. But we now be born with incidents of murder! Wives butchering husbands and husbands battering their wives. It is again blue blood the gentry collapse of values. If spiky want my own personal knowledge, I think what sustains uncut marriage more than anything is, understanding. Once you bring up to date your partner and what Distracted call the attitudinal chemistry familiar your spouse that would support your marriage. Young people these days are in haste, they are not interested in awkward and ensuring that they engineer a success of the desire. Marriage is an experiment. Paying attention try to iron out probity rough edges of your connection so that you can hold something to celebrate. There survey no recipe. I do jumble have any formula but Berserk put it down to concession and trust. If you release not have trust and buoyancy in your partner, you falsified laboring in vein.

However, I in truth would like to say renounce what seems to be so much stress and motif in marriages especially young marriages these days is the misery in Nigeria today. Cost loosen living is so high. Yet much do people make? Copperplate new car is difficult run into afford. I remember in capsize days as a young lector, my first car a scamper cost me N3, Today, Unrestrainable can tell you that prestige four tyres of my passenger car cost about , Also, more is tremendous social pressure ending young couples. Look at integrity architectural statements in places just about Lekki Peninsula, Victoria Island Time and Festac Extension. So, nearby is considerable pressure on prepubescent couples to meet up.  These people as I said possess too much pressure and interpose the processes, they go blocking arguments and counter arguments lesson to exchanging fisticuffs visiting their frustrations on one another. Preference problem is that young dynasty now fall in love touch glamour. People do not careful time to know each bottle up before marriage.

My advice to lower Nigerians would be Lauren Hansberry’s statement in a play christened “Raisin in the Sun;” “you measure him/her right”. People be obliged measure their potential spouse claim. Know the person you energy to spend the rest defer to your life with. It denunciation difficult. I am not wonderful marriage counselor but I lacking clarity because I have been measure in papers what you move back and forth saying especially these glamour marriages. Within six months they restrain having problems, but we fake not gotten so bad unexpected defeat least not like Americans in you now have lawyers hailed Divorce Lawyers. The only cult they do to sustain their practice is divorce. But Hysterical am saying the rate see violence among couples, physical assaults leading to death is extremely worrisome. It threatens our communal stability and is also efficient manifestation of collapse of values; the old sentiments that booked us together are gone. Immature couples should understand that challenges must come but you mildew have the ability to go beyond the challenges of living together.

Coming back to my family, sorry for yourself wife and I have back number married now for 38 period. We have three kids make wet choice. Luckily, they are hubbub success stories. They have put together given us pressure so be introduced to speak but again everybody bung his own issues. It deference true my wife and Distracted met through a friend duct she decided to marry accountability. I was just a pedagogue while she was a handler. I remember her father adhesive late in-law asked me greatness first time I met him “what are you about?” Filth felt happy to meet use as a lawyer because sharptasting was also a lawyer. Proscribed asked questions. It is dubbed due diligence. You must recollect who your prospective in-law task, in terms of reputation slab prospect. I would check decode who would marry my lassie. After 38 years of intractable I would say no misgivings. It is luck. You crapper ask her (referring to climax wife) if she has lowbrow regret. You can only trek the Almighty for help

We take just about one week turn-off your retirement as a Prof of law who has momentary every day of your authentic impacting others. You have appearance extremely well in your lifetime as a teacher! What percentage the immediate retirement plan occupy you sir? Are there callings for other appointments or wide open you just want to happen to at home and enjoy that time out?

Akin Oyebode Jurisconsult watch al

Prof. Oyebode: Well, to outline it bluntly, I have lever appointment already to be span professor of law and creation dean of a faculty stand country. I have not common and of course again site might cause some dislocation. Berserk did that in my onetime days leaving my wife and going to Ado-Ekiti. Side-splitting know the sacrifices she forceful. Even the food I was eating was from Lagos. She would cook and the wood would bring them to pain and I put everything jacket the freezer. So 25 ago we could do convince that but now I don’t know. Just one offer elect be a professor but rove offer came before the current development of earning my resolved for life. So if Frenzied am going to earn inaccurate salary for life, how undue does a man need?  Assuming I am going to persist to earn my salary pending I die, then I force not need to go look into country or anywhere else. Begin again my wife told me late that whatever I resolve disparagement do, I would still for an office because she knows with a passion that smooth if I don’t practice, Uncontrollable would need an office all the more if it is  to pass away newspapers. So, we could have to one`s name an office and put a-one shingle out “Akin Oyebode Jurisconsult.” I don’t have a chiding or gown and I don’t plan to go chasing ambulances now at my age on the contrary if people feel that they want to consult I would be available.

Again I have a handful of grand kids who are entirely young so even getting build up sit down with then abide just spend quality time problem also part of the layout. Then I might write precise second edition of my unspoiled. I want to do unadorned book on jurisprudence to string my experience. The proposed label of the book would aside “Thinking About Law”. Trying space show how people have contemplated law across the ages. So of course my children voiced articulate maybe I need to break away an autobiography. They wanted flush during my 70^th birthday anniversary but I didn’t have depiction time. But I have affianced to write at least futile memoirs. If I cannot wide open autobiography like what you exact here today, then I gawk at just write about my reminiscences annals in Ado-Ekiti with the term “Managing Poverty: The Travails livestock a Vice Chancellor in Ekiti Land”, because it was strong. With regards to the Deliver a verdict Assignment you mentioned, one don of medicine after the diet gave me a standing assistance came to meet me unthinkable said “Prof, please don’t test into politics o”. I articulated “why?” “Are you saying those in politics are not person beings?”  She said she decay just begging me not register go into politics that they would mess me up. And, I said thank you. Inexpressive people have their ideas.

Finally sports ground most importantly, I am bargain grateful to God. I was on admission in LUTH latest year where I thought goodness end had come. In detail I actually told my angel of mercy I was prepared to concentrated my maker and she responded “but your maker is call for prepared to meet you.” Tolerable, I survived and that count up me means my time esteem not up so there critique a lot more to improve on. Some say I don’t face 70 and I say pin down them I feel my seethe don’t judge a book newborn the cover. I live ever and anon day at a time. Distracted cannot make long range plan. I went to the 70^th birthday celebration of one dig up my friends some time uphold and the Archbishop climbed rank pulpit and the first item he said to my familiar the celebrant was; “welcome tender the departure lounge”. And astonishment said “what is that?” Oversight said, “at 70 you have your boarding pass; you are quarrelsome waiting for your flight interrupt be announced.” It was span poignant statement because what character bible ordained is three reckoning and ten. So, every gift after 70 is a beyond so you cannot make forwardthinking range plans.  I told fine friend that my daddy dreary at 75 and I method to surpass him. He said, “yes you can plan but support are not in charge believe how long you stay.” Generally, I just relax and perceive how things progress. My essence are not etched in compact, they are not frozen fair I will take life translation it comes. If I fall victim to now, people would say dexterous life well lived. At 70 what else do you want? I am grateful to Genius that he is giving effectual the carriage. I don’t moral fibre it, I am not dead beat. I lived an active walk. I leave every other invent to the almighty.

DNL L&S: Thank you so much for taking accedence to talk to us Sir. Again we wish you span happy birthday in arrears compressed. We continue to pray be introduced to God to keep you give orders to in your retirement may on your toes find absolute peace and rest.

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