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Kwara-born graduate becomes youngest SAN 

 

…how he rose to peak after 11 yrs graduation – NBA

By Kayode Adeoti

Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, who hails from Igosun, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has made an exceptional history in the legal profession following his appointment as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria at 34.
Atoyebi was appointed alongside 37 others by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee after fulfilling the requirements for the elevation.
He becomes the youngest Nigerian to be admitted into the inner Bar which was established in 1975.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Atoyebi as the youngest SAN in the country has continued to generate a lot of reactions from far and near including the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
The Governor applauded Atoyebi and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch for the feat.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor congratulated the learned silk praying for God’s protection.
Abdulrazaq, who personally spoke with the young legal practitioner at the weekend on the telephone charged youths in the state to emulate Atoyebi’s excellent performance.
He added that the youth should endeavour to be the best in whatever they are doing in order to make Kwara proud.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NBA, Ilorin branch, Barrister Mohammed Idowu Akande revealed how Atoyebi rose to the peak of his career 11 years after his graduation from the University of Ilorin.
Akande, who described Atoyebi’s elevation as a stroke of God’s providence added that the latter did not go through any legal training after he being called to the Bar.
He added that Atoyebi is the first SAN to be produced by the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin adding the young SAN is a rare gem whose influence and affluence has made ways for him.
“He is much known to me, I didn’t meet him at the Ilorin bar but I know him well. He’s a wonderful man. He did not go for any pupilage and he had no principal or worked in any law firm, yet he owned a multi million naira law firm of his own. He’s very influential but extremely humble.
“Unlike some other lawyers, Atoyebi is not from a very rich background. He rose to the top on his own and made use of every opportunity in life. He is the first product of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin to become a SAN. He’s indeed a star.”
Speaking on the criteria for the appointment of a SAN, an Ilorin-based learned silk, Kehinde Kolawole Eleja, maintained that many people in Kwara State applied for the noble seat but only Atoyebi was picked.
Eleja said Atoyebi’s appointment confirms that he’s the most qualified among the legal practitioners from Kwara who applied for elevation.
Eleja stressed that age is not part of the requirements considered for the elevation of legal practitioners to SAN.
He said, “Any lawyer who has practised for at least 10 years, with an office or a partner in a law firm, qualifies. The office must maintain a minimum of five lawyers who are on salary. The office must also have library with provision of medical assistance. The fellow must have been handling certain number of cases in all the superior courts of Nigeria.
“The fellow must have paid his practising fee up to 10 years and must have been recommended by judges and lawyers. His age is irrelevant as long as the person can meet up with all the requirements.
Reacting to the elevation of Atoyebi, the Head of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Kunle Akogun said, “Atoyebi is our product and he graduated in 2005. His elevation confirms our ‘Better by far’ status. It is apparent that we produce quality graduates, not only in the Law Faculty but in all disciplines and we’re very proud of him.”
Meanwhile, when contacted by our reporter on the telephone last night, the young lawyer declined comment saying he would only react after his decoration in Abuja.
Recall that in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs Hadizatu Mustapha, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee also listed the wife of a Supreme Court justice, Bode Rhodes-Vivour Adedoyin and renowned civil rights activist, Ebun-Olu Samuel Adegboruwa.
Three academics and three professors were also part of the elevation exercise.
The 38 lawyers were elevated by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee during its 138th session during the new plenary session on July 4.
Chief Registrar said, out of the 117 lawyers that applied for the rank this year, 80 were shortlisted, out of which the final 38 emerged.
She said the 38 new SANs include two females, three from the academics and 35 advocates.
The new Senior Advocates will be conferred with the honours at the resumption of the next legal year.
Other nominees for the elevation include:
Abdullahi Haruna
Manga Mohammed Nurudeen
Adedayo Toba Apata
John Onuegbulam Asoluka
Adedokun Matthew Makinde
Daniel Chwukwudi Enwelum
Emmanuel Adeyeye Oyebanji
Tuduru Uchendu Ede
Abdul Olajide Ajana
Ama Vemaark Etuwewe
Oladipo Adekorede Olasope
Leslie Arthur Olutayo Nylander
Olusegun Oyediran Fowowe
Andrew Essien Hutton
Olukayode Abayomi Enitan
Paul Harris Adkole Ogbole
Olaniyi Maruph Olopade
Samuel Ngozi Agweh
Olusegun Omoniyi Jolaawo
Professor Alphonsus Okoh Alubo
Ayo Asala
Ebun-Olu Samuel Adegboruwa
Abiodun Adediran Olatunji
Olumide Andrew Aju
Chimezie Victor Chikwem Ihekweazu
Prof. Mamman Lawan
Prof. Uchefula Ugonna Chuwumaeze
Usman Ogwu Sule
Safiya Umar Babamasi
Echezona Chukwudi Etiaba,
Godwin Osemeahon Omoaka
Emeka Onyemaechi Ozoani
Alexander Chukwudi Ejesieme
Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye
Aikhunigbe Anthony Malik
Alhassan Akeje Umar

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