Amazed day I confidently challenged senior counsels’ moves as young wig
After the completion of his studies at Kwara State Polytechnic between 1987 and 1989, Tunde Olumo proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, {NIJ}, Lagos State to study Mass Communication but on the advice of his uncle, he aborted the programme to pursue law.He was admitted into Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto State for his LL.B in 1990 and graduated in 1996. In the preceding year, he went to Law School and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar 1998. He started his chamber attachment with Adelodun Adebayo SAN, 1997 in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. He also had a stint of about 3months with Salisu & Co. Also in the state capital before moving to the chambers of Babatunde & Co. in Lagos, 1998. Olumo however returned to Ilorin in 2003 where he established his law firm, Olumo & Co. in November, 2003. He shares with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI, his unforgettable day in court as a legal practitioner.
My most amazing experience in this profession happened about twenty years ago when I was still practising in Lagos with my principal, Layi Babatunde SAN. I was just about a year old at the Bar then.
I was actually asked by my boss to go and defend a case in court. The counsel initially handling the matter was given another assignment, so he was in Port Harcourt.
What surprised me was the fact that the file case was given to me the day I was to go to court and defend it. I got the instruction 8:am and I must be in court by 8:30 because the judge will sit by 9:30 and luckily for me, our office was at Opebi, in Ikeja, so court was just like 5minutes drive away.
While I was in court, I quickly glanced l through the case file to see what i can build on. The matter was an high profile one it was between Trade Bank Plc and his customer, I’ve never handled such case in my life. What I’ve ever done was to move a motion maybe for extension of time. The case was before Justice Okwobi in Ikeja division of Lagos High Court.
When the matter was called I stood up to announced that the matter was continuation of defence and I’m prepared for it. The defendant was to be cross examinationed, I was to monitor the counsel. That aspect was very delicate in civil proceedings because that is where veracity of witness or evidence will be out to test. But that day I was amazed at my performance, I made some objections that were upheld. I must confess, it was that case that boosted my confidence and made me remain in litigation till now.
