On Friday, the 7th November 2008, the Squib had a short but very interesting interview with Stephen Afolabi Babalola Oteju, Esq. a member of the 1968 graduate set of the Nigerian Law School in his expansive Palmgrove Estate Lagos home. Now about 74 years old, Mr. Oteju a widely traveled and successful businessman was the best over all student at the Law School (Bar Part 1) but practiced law for only a few months after qualifying as a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Mr. Oteju hails from Ikorodu, Lagos State.
SQUIB: In your time how was the legal profession regarded?
OTEJU: The law profession as at that time, just like now was highly regarded. Most people who went into law did so because we realised it is a field where you can be many things at a time. As a lawyer, you can also be a businessman. A lawyer can really be anything he wants. The very nature of law and the training make this so. I read law, I wanted to be lawyer all my life. At the same time, even when I was in London I was doing business. When I came back and qualified I practiced for some months before going back to business. But even as a businessman, I am very much interested in the law profession. The knowledge of law has been very useful to me in my life as a businessman. Two of my children are lawyers. This is a field that I very much admire. To me law is a wonderful profession. I was in London between 1961-1966 for my legal studies, I studied law at the Holborn College of Law. You must have the University degree of that College before coming back to Nigeria to qualify from the Nigerian Law School. We are the first set to do nine months of training at the Law School but usually it was three months. We are the 1967-1968 set.
SQUIB: What is your memory of the Nigerian Law School?
OTEJU: The Law School then was very strict, and we were very careful. Those of us who came from outside Lagos were accommodated in the legislative quarters at Victoria Island. Most of us were using one bedroom flat apartment. Dr. Orojo, was the Director of the Law School then. It was a beautiful arrangement.
The training then, was very good. People like Ogendegbe, Ibironke our lecturers.The lecturers were very dedicated. G.O.K Ajayi was also one of them though he was a part time lecturer. I remember that we were just a little above 100 students in our class but have lost 34 of us over the years.
If you don't pass Bar part one, you can not go to Bar part 2 then. Lawyers have always been looked up to, the society respects lawyers. Some people believe they are clever, intelligent. In our time many parents prefered their children to become either lawyers or doctors.
Dr. Elias the Attorney-General of Federation then, was a pillar of Nigerian Law School, I had the privilege of coming first in our Bar part one examination and I got a prize from Elias.
The Director of the Law School then Dr. Orojo was so pleased with me, after we qualified that he advised me and introduced me to Gani Fawehinmi (three years my senior) to practice with him. Gani and I were to form a partnership but the arrangement did not work out. After about six months of practice, I left to join my family in the U.K. I love law but my inclination has always been business. But I make sure that two of my children became lawyers.
SQUIB: Can you remember some of your Law School mates?
OTEJU: Some of my classmates, for instance are Kolapo Gambari (now Emir of Ilorin). I remember James Ogebe and Umaru Abdulilah (they are the one who organized this great occasion.) Goodie Ibru, James Ademiluyi and his wife (they met at the Law School). Moshood Olugbani, Mustapha the Court of Appeal. Are also my mates at the Law school
Of course when we met in Abuja, November 1, 2008 after 40 years of leaving the Law School, we were all happy to see one another. It was our first re-union. We all have changed. Our hairs are now white, but we related as if we were still students. it was a great occasion. We were so happy meeting ourselves. I really appreciate the organisers of the 40th anniversary celebration for our set, James Ogebe and Umaru Abdullahi. I told our people that we must continue this re-union and make it biennial. We must also do something for the Law School, and for the Nigerian Bar Association. We must improve the practice of law. We must make our mark in that area. Those of us at the bar and on the bench, must not abuse our powers. Law is a wonderful profession. I must not forget to appreciate Goodie Ibru too. He gave us free dinner at the Sheraton Hotel.
SQUIB: In your time how was the legal profession regarded?
OTEJU: The law profession as at that time, just like now was highly regarded. Most people who went into law did so because we realised it is a field where you can be many things at a time. As a lawyer, you can also be a businessman. A lawyer can really be anything he wants. The very nature of law and the training make this so. I read law, I wanted to be lawyer all my life. At the same time, even when I was in London I was doing business. When I came back and qualified I practiced for some months before going back to business. But even as a businessman, I am very much interested in the law profession. The knowledge of law has been very useful to me in my life as a businessman. Two of my children are lawyers. This is a field that I very much admire. To me law is a wonderful profession. I was in London between 1961-1966 for my legal studies, I studied law at the Holborn College of Law. You must have the University degree of that College before coming back to Nigeria to qualify from the Nigerian Law School. We are the first set to do nine months of training at the Law School but usually it was three months. We are the 1967-1968 set.
SQUIB: What is your memory of the Nigerian Law School?
OTEJU: The Law School then was very strict, and we were very careful. Those of us who came from outside Lagos were accommodated in the legislative quarters at Victoria Island. Most of us were using one bedroom flat apartment. Dr. Orojo, was the Director of the Law School then. It was a beautiful arrangement.
The training then, was very good. People like Ogendegbe, Ibironke our lecturers.The lecturers were very dedicated. G.O.K Ajayi was also one of them though he was a part time lecturer. I remember that we were just a little above 100 students in our class but have lost 34 of us over the years.
If you don't pass Bar part one, you can not go to Bar part 2 then. Lawyers have always been looked up to, the society respects lawyers. Some people believe they are clever, intelligent. In our time many parents prefered their children to become either lawyers or doctors.
Dr. Elias the Attorney-General of Federation then, was a pillar of Nigerian Law School, I had the privilege of coming first in our Bar part one examination and I got a prize from Elias.
The Director of the Law School then Dr. Orojo was so pleased with me, after we qualified that he advised me and introduced me to Gani Fawehinmi (three years my senior) to practice with him. Gani and I were to form a partnership but the arrangement did not work out. After about six months of practice, I left to join my family in the U.K. I love law but my inclination has always been business. But I make sure that two of my children became lawyers.
SQUIB: Can you remember some of your Law School mates?
OTEJU: Some of my classmates, for instance are Kolapo Gambari (now Emir of Ilorin). I remember James Ogebe and Umaru Abdulilah (they are the one who organized this great occasion.) Goodie Ibru, James Ademiluyi and his wife (they met at the Law School). Moshood Olugbani, Mustapha the Court of Appeal. Are also my mates at the Law school
Of course when we met in Abuja, November 1, 2008 after 40 years of leaving the Law School, we were all happy to see one another. It was our first re-union. We all have changed. Our hairs are now white, but we related as if we were still students. it was a great occasion. We were so happy meeting ourselves. I really appreciate the organisers of the 40th anniversary celebration for our set, James Ogebe and Umaru Abdullahi. I told our people that we must continue this re-union and make it biennial. We must also do something for the Law School, and for the Nigerian Bar Association. We must improve the practice of law. We must make our mark in that area. Those of us at the bar and on the bench, must not abuse our powers. Law is a wonderful profession. I must not forget to appreciate Goodie Ibru too. He gave us free dinner at the Sheraton Hotel.
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