Edun Alabi Bolaji graduated from the University of Usman Danfodio, Sokoto as the best Common Law student in 1987 and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He had his NYSC certificate in 1990. By 2010, he bagged LL.M from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state and he’s currently undergoing his Ph.D in the same institution. He had lectured at Kwara State Polytechnic between 1989 and 1999. Towards the tail end of 1999, he was appointed Commissioner by late Governor Ahmed Lawal. The principal of Edun Alabi Bolaji & Co. however shared with KAYODE ADEOTI, his most daunting day in court. Excerpts:
I have been lucky in my over 29 years of practice, I never had it rough, yet there were some instances I can never forget in my life. This encounter happened about 25 years ago at Lafiagi before a magistrate court. The issue was this; somebody alleged that someone was committing adultery with his wife, they reported the matter to the police and the man was subsequently arrested and brought to court. By Nupe culture, if a man is caught in such act, any property of the adulterer becomes the man’s lot. In accordance with their culture, they said our own client should lose his motorcycle. They seized some of his personal belongings too. Our client has earlier went to the Emir of the land to complain but the culture was upheld.
This was why I went to court to raise a preliminary objection that the culture is unconstitutional, unlawful and that it should be declared null and void giving reason that it will promote anarchy.
After much argument over the issue, the court however declared that the culture is against section (13) and (14) of the evidence act, that section was repugnant to actual justice. Immediately the ruling was given, unknown to me, the entire village have matched into the court, hailing me. When I was leaving the premises, the villagers gave me an executive ride to the garage. The males among them carried me up and were singing all sorts of victory songs. That day, I will never forget.
