Olanrewaju Afeez Yusuf bagged his LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2013. Afterwards, he proceeded to Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and was subsequently called to the Nigerian bar in November, 2014. He had his NYSC programme in the Ministry of Justice, Ondo State. Upon his return to Kwara State, he had a brief stint with Jawondo & Co. He’s however currently undergoing mentorship in A.K Ajibade & Associates, Eminent Chambers in the state capital. He shares his most daunting moment as a legal practitioner with KAYODE ADEOTI. Excepts:
Though I’ve had series of experiences in this profession but the one that kept on imprinting itself in my mind happened during my service year. Then, as a new wig, I followed my boss, Taiwo Olubodun Esq to court though we didn’t have any matter.
A lawyer from the Ministry of Justice however gave me a file to hold his brief. He instructed me that the matter is slated for motion and I should go and oppose the application. He also gave me the counter to be filed that same morning.
While we were seated, lawyer on the other side saw the case file I was holding, he approached me and asked, are you the one handling the matter? I answered in affirmative. He asked again, where are you from? Ilorin, I responded with so much eagerness to know what he was driving at.
Then, he said, convincingly, “You haven’t filed your counter and you are not abreast of the matter. I will advice you to stay off this matter by staying outside the court till it ends, just to save yourself of impending embarrassment,” he said.
He further told me that if I comply, he will give me N50,000 and I promised to follow his lead so he collected my account number. He went in and I did likewise after few minutes but sat far off him.
When the matter was called, he rose up to announce his appearance, he thought I wasn’t in court, but shortly thereafter I rose up too to announce mine. He informed the court that he was ready for his application and I said, shivering, “My Lord, we are not ready, I intend to file a counter to his application but I was denied from doing so by the court registry, we need a date to put our house in order sir”
The opposing counsel was embittered and lamented as he informed the judge how long the accused had stayed in prison… But lo and behold, the court adjourned the matter. I was happy I didn’t succumb to bad practice.
