By Kayode Adeoti
Like the popular saying, “Not how far, but how well,” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Peter Olorunisola has made his mark in the Judicial Sector, even as the shortest serving Attorney-General in the State.
Olorunisola, who was appointed 36 years ago as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, his short time in office notwithstanding, what he achieved have continued to daze many people, especially in the legal arena.
Baba Olorunisola as he is fondly called by legal practitioners in the Kwara State jurisdiction, never had the opportunity to serve for long but impacted positively on the state judicial system. This has made him relevant in the scheme of things even till date.
Olorunnisola was appointed by the shortest serving Kwara State Governor, Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo in November 1983. The legal luminary held sway as AG under Adebayo’s government that was in power for just three months; from November to December 1983.
Olorunnisola, according to calculation, was AG for less than 45 days, but during his short tenure, Olorunnisola set records which today has become reference points for many legal icons.
In a recent chat, he told Pilot Law, that “I was only in office for just one and half month, I wasn’t expected to perform wonders in terms of what I will do but I tried my best. I never relented in giving my legal advice to the executive and it paid off.
One of his colleagues who spoke to this medium on Olorunisola’s qualities while in office is Saka Abimbola Isau SAN, he described him as a member of the Bar who knows his worth.
“He has contributed his own quota to the justice sector reform, he didn’t spend much time in office but we like him, he was brave, sound and upright. He won’t indulge in any activity that would hamper justice dispensation”, Isau added.
The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Funmilayo Lawal also described the Septuagenarian as a quintessence lawyer.
“I never met him in the Ministry, I read from history that he was AG, he’s a Senior member of the Bar, he’s in fact our father and good example of a diligent lawyer,” the Perm Sec stressed.
His Profile
Chief Peter Adebayo Olorunisola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), born on 7th June, 1940 in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He obtained his qualification as follows: LL. B-Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (1964-1967), LL. M – London University (1967- 1968), BL – Nigerian Law School (1968-1969), Notary Public – Supreme Court of Nigeria, Senior Advocate of Nigeria – Legal Practitioners Privileged Committee (1993), Diploma in Church Ministry- ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja (1993). He began legal practice in 1969.
He worked in the state in different capacities as Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources (1973), Commissioner for Finance (1973-1975) and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (1983).
He was the first Chairman, Kwara State Rent Tribunal (1971-1972). First Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Keats Branch (1970-1972). Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Kwara Branch (1981-1983), Chairman, Gateway Insurance Company Ltd (1975-1979).Director-Afribank (1990-1992). Vice Chairman, Kwara State committee on religious matters (2004 till date. Chief Olorunisola was married to late Christiana Olawumi (Nee Fadairo) Olorunisola in 1970, blessed with 5 children and grand children.
