Salute to Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR AT 71

By : Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, LL. M, Notary Public

If Friday, the 18th November 2022 were 18th November 2021 and Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, CFR happens to be a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, he would be delivering his Valedictory Speech retiring from the Apex Court. But since Chief Olanipekun has long decided to remain at the Bar where except by the choice of a lawyer, there is nothing like retirement, he is still in active practice of law.

According to the Chief himself, there was a time the late Hon. Justice Mahmud Babatunde Belgore, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court wanted to appoint him from the Bar to the Bench but that he declined politely and informed the Chief Judge of the blessed memory that he had decided to pitch his tent with the Bar to reach the peak of the profession.

Sometime in 2017, when I decided to do the public presentation of my two published books titled: LAW PRACTICE KIT and LEGAL LUMINARIES, I sent letters of request and invitation to many members of the legal profession particular within the bar and the bench, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR and Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN were two of the very few senior lawyers that took me very serious. While I requested Chief Olanipekun to be the Chairman of the public presentation which he graciously accepted and promised to be in attendance, I requested Mr. Pedro to be the reviewer of the books which he also accepted and promised to be in attendance. But before the D-DAY, those that were more powerful than me had “hijacked” Chief from me as some of his clients insisted that he must appear personally in court for their case outside Lagos State on that same day. This notwithstanding, Chief sent his Personal Assistant, a great lawyer and a gentleman to the core, Mr. Debo Oladinni to be in attendance and stood in for him. A brilliant speech was delivered on behalf of the Chief Olanipekun, Mr. Pedro did a wonderful book review and late Mr. Olu Awolowo of blessed memory ( a grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo ) gave a public lecture. What I continue to cherish and happy about till date was the remarks made by Chief Wole Olanipekun on the two books. Chief had stated in the reply to my earlier letter of request and invitation as follows:

“I commend the level of industry put into churning out these two thought provoking and well researched books”

I must confess that the above assertion by Chief has since been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me in the art of writing. Anyone that cares to study Chief Wole Olanipekun will discovered that Chief is not only a man of courage but also a fearless lawyer, which he has demonstrated over the years at different occasions and whenever the situation arises. During his reign as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), he was one of the patriotic Nigerians clamouring for the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to replace the two (2) term of 8 years tenure for the President and Governors with the five (5) years single term certain and no more. On 11th November 2002, Chief Olanipekun leading the Bar leaders on a visit to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo had this to say :

“The NBA, in an address delivered by me in the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 9th September, 2002 at the swearing-in of the newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria suggested that immediate amendments be effected on section 135(2) and 180(2) of the 1999 Constitution, limiting the terms of office of both President and every Governor to one term of five years certain and definite.”

The Nigerian politicians being what they are, continue to vehemently oppose this view and suggestion. Till date I personally still belong to the school of thought advocating for the five years single term and no more as the two (2) terms of 8 years has proved to be grand failure and wasteful as you will discover that at the end of the day, the politicians in power have no solid achievements on the ground to show for it. I was recently shocked and taken aback when in a private chat with a learned colleague on the issue of good governance and he said : “ No magic can happen within 8 to 16 years” , to which I retorted : “ But Jakande performed magic in 4 years and Awo transformed the face of Western Region in 8 years. Lawyer, what are you talking about?” If some people particularly lawyers continue to think this way, there must be problem somewhere. Six months in office is enough for any competent and visionary leader to perform magic and shows that he really means business in office.

At the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) level, when Mr. A. B. Mahmud, SAN was the President and attempted towards the tail end of his reign hurriedly wanted to amend the NBA Constitution, Chief Olanipekun was not prepared to be a party to that and he spoke out loudly and clearly as he said :

“I am taken aback by this development, and I kept on wondering why you ever brought up the topic at our meeting of Friday, 20th July 2018, if you knew you would not respect our opinions. Mr. President, you have not been fair to us to put it mildly. As a person, I protest this attitude and action of yours…No one possesses the monopoly of wisdom, and it is only courteous that you respect the objection raised to some of your amendments…..No leader, however brilliant, industrious, good intentioned, or pragmatic can ever resolve all problems of his association, society or country in his life time or within his tenure, you cannot be an exception”

If Chief F.R.A. Williams (SAN) of blessed memory and Chief Wole Olanipekun had not been contemporary, one would have said Chief Olanipekun is the “reincarnation” of Chief Williams as they have many things in common. Chief Williams was a former Attorney General of the old Western Region and Chief Olanipekun was also a former Attorney- General of the old Ondo State. Chief Williams and Chief Olanipekun were at different times the President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Chief Williams was not only SAN but his two biological sons are also SANs and the same thing with Chief Olanipekun. As Chief Williams was conferred with National Honour of the Commander of Order of Federal Republic (CFR) so also Chief Olanipekun was recently conferred with the CFR. The contributions of these two great Chiefs to the development of our law and jurisprudence are evidenced in the various law reports in this country.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo SAN, GCFR ,the best President Nigeria never had as well as one of the great political thinkers ever to be produced in the continent of Africa and Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR are typical examples of what American pupils will call “reading makes you great”. They have both demonstrated their greatness in their speeches and thoughts. Among the books of the late Chief Awolowo that I always enjoy reading are his series of VOICE OF REASON, VOICE OF WISDOM and VOICE OF COURAGE published by Hon. Olaiya Fagbamigbe, a member of the House of Representative during the Second Republic. Similarly, a very interesting book in two (2) volumes titled: THE VOICE OF LAW AND SOCIAL CHANGE has been put together containing the speeches and thoughts of Wole Olanipekun, SAN. In the foreword to the first volume, Hon. Justice S.M.A. Belgore, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria has this to say about Chief Olanipekun:

“Even where he was not winning his case, he was never bitter in conduct and was always ready to help to attain justice. This attribute is rare nowadays among many members of the Bar. It is for this reason that I hardly fail to read in the news media his lectures and interviews.”

In the foreword to the second volume, Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke, CON and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria also has this to say about Chief Olanipekun:

“As a confirmed apostle of justice, the author firmly believes that a ‘virile Bar is the foundation of a solid Bench’. Consequently, only fit and proper persons should be appointed to the Bench to dispense justice without fear or favour.”

As Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR marks his 71 years on the surface of the earth let us together wish him happy birthday , long life and prosperity as well as more years ahead in good health and peace of mind to enable him to contribute more to the development law and the entire country at large. My Salute to Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR at 71!

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