Ahmed Olatunji Isau obtained his LL.B from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria in 2006, he was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year. He had his NYSC in 2008 and subsequently, he began his legal attachment at A.S Sogunle & Associates, Lagos State and later moved to Ernst and Young as a Tax Consultant. Afterwards, Isau went to the University of London for his Master Degree between 2009 and 2011, he also bagged his PhD from the University of Ilorin in 2018. He is currently the principal of Earl Legal Service established in 2013 and the Head of Chambers of Saka Isau & Co. The lecturer of law at the Kwara State University therefore shares with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI, his most dramatic day in court. Excerpts:
The day I’ll never forget has been a long time ago but I still remember vividly. It happened when I was still a young wig serving in a law firm in Ikeja, Lagos State. I used to be saddled with series of assignments but basically, office works.
Just when I’ve spent three days working in that chamber as a corps member, my senior informed me that all counsels in the firm have all been assigned with one case on the other. He said he received an urgent call from Abuja and that he will have to travel. He then gave me a file of a matter at the High Court Lagos Division, Igbosere.
I never planned to go to court that day so I was not with my gown and wig but he provided me with one. While I was going in the car, I was trying to read the file because I had no knowledge of what it was all about. As at the time I arrived the court, I was already late but luckily for me, the case has not been called. I was trying to spy on lawyers’ file to see who was representing the plaintiff. When I didn’t see, I felt happy thinking I will be the only one that will appear in the case.
When the case was called, a senior lawyer stood up to announce his appearance which shocked me. When it was my turn to announce mine, I was fidgeting, almost forgotten my name. I was scared. The judge noticed me and asked when I was called to Bar, in an emotional tone, I said, just last week. She laughed and encouraged me to brace up saying she trust the other lawyer, he won’t damage his case.
