Yahya Abdulrasheed Alajo obtained his LL.B from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria in 2016, and subsequently, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2017. He had his National Youth programme in Jigawa. Upon his return to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Alajo joined Yusuf O. Ali & Co. For his Legal Attachment. He is currently the principal partner of an Ilorin-based law film, Alajo & Associates. He shares with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI, his most dramatic moment in court as a legal practitioner. Excerpts:
The day I can never forget since I started practising law was when I appeared alone at the Supreme Court. I was on the opposing side appearing for the respondent while lawyer on the other side was for the appellant.
In my own case, I filed an application to dismiss an appeal before the court, and the lawyer on the other side was seeking for an extension of time to file certain processes.
When the matter was called, the other lawyer was not inside the courtroom, so, when he came in, I informed him that the matter has been called but no one put up appearance.
While we were waiting for the court to mention the case again so that we can announce our appearances, the judge did very unexpected, he struck out the matter. We rose up to challenge the order but it was too late, the court maintained that the case had earlier been mentioned and no one appeared for it.
The judge further stated that our names were not on the cause list, I contended it that I wrote my name, I further requested that thorough check should be carried out on the cause list. Lo and behold, the clerk searched for my name, and it was not on the cause list. It was quite an embarrassing moment for me.
