Barrister Mohammed Idowu Akande is the 22nd chairman of the Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). In this interview with ACTING EDITOR, MUMINI ABDULKAREEM, he talks about the frustrations, unfulfilled dreams and successes of his leadership among other issues. Excerpts:
What next for you now?
That is in the hands of the Almighty God. But of course I will be happy to return to the Ministry of Justice from where I came initially. I have really missed litigation which I combined with the work of the chairman. Before it was hundred percent litigation but because of the work of the chairman, it went as low as fifteen percent and that is why for the past two years, I don’t think I have up to three judgments. It has never happened in my career. The output for me at times goes as high as ten judgments per year. I thank God I am now a better person and better Muslim and I have learnt a lot in terms of human resources, leadership skills, exposure, connection, including material wealth without embezzling or engaging in untoward activities. That is why I was not interested in who succeeded me because our accounts are ready. I will be the first chairman that will be given a federal appointment while in office.
Any regret?
Except on the aspect of the judgment, No. but there were lots of turbulences and trials and it was not easy for me as a person, there was betrayal of trust and outright hatred. Before I became the NBA chairman, if someone said anything about me that is not true, I used to feel like fighting. But NBA taught me that even people will lie to your face and I just smile.
How was the experience for you?
Getting there was tough and like a battle but I fought on because of my background. The NBA as an association has existed for over fifty two years but never been ruled by civil servant until I came. As a civil servant, some thought I may not have mind of my own and will not be able to stand my ground if there is any issue with government. Such narrative really brought a lot of disquiet and hatred and there were a lot of frustrations, younger colleagues were used to fight me and frustrate my policies and even some of the elderly ones were sceptical. The first six months were tough coupled with lack of fund because we nothing on ground and we have to work on our pace and lane to source for fund. One of my greatest challenge was emotional trauma after I lost my dad along the way who had been my very good companion and supporter. Some find it difficult to come to the reality that I have won and believe I still can’t do it. Some elders also see the generational gap as a problem because of my age as a young man. But I had my plans already before I came in and I was religiously strict with it. I hit the ground running. Crossing those hurdles involved prayers, smartness, being lucky and then the confession came that I have done so well.
What were the challenges you went through?
Initially I used to wake up at midnight mostly to prepare for my case or read but now it was waking up to really cry to God especially at times when failure and frustration were starring us in the face particularly during our book launch. As a onetime secretary of NBA, I have really studied the association and acquaint myself with its challenges. To make headway, I know funding is key and so we have to be financially disciplined and channel the little amount at our disposal into the right courses. One of the most challenging one for me was when we came in last year and we inaugurated the book launching committee because I know through book launch we can really achieve anything. But despite all our efforts, the fund we got could only take care of the dinner. We were to honour Chief Olanipekun (SAN). Around that time, our US-based publisher, called that if we really want our book in January, we must part with N1.3 million and we don’t even have up to three hundred thousand. I summoned exco meeting and we couldn’t raise anything. But it coincided with the time my inheritance was paid and I have to pull out one million naira. To make it transparent, I first moved it from my account to the NBA’s account. The next challenge was getting Chief Olanipekun. For three months involving several travels to Lagos, Ibadan and Ekiti, we couldn’t get him. He was not picking my calls just to get a date for launching of the book. I traced him to his hometown in Ekiti State when I heard he had a church dedication. Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Oni of Ife, several governors and VIPs were there. After the programme, I waited for him in his House but he came in with lots of governors. With the book in my hand, I stood in front of him where he can see me praying fervently. When he saw the book, he was overwhelmed. What I did was to look at the last publication we had and add value to it. I travelled to Lagos and went to his library behind him with the help of Alhaji Salami Adelodun, an Ilorin man who had worked with him for over thirty years, I went to his archives to get pictures of his wedding, earlier days in practice, when he became SAN with his two young sons then who are now Senior Advocates and other historic pictures of his life. We produced the book in conjunction with University of Ilorin, Kwara State University and Al-Hikma University and it was a very rich compendium printed by a very reputable US firm, Alexander Pine Publishers. He was very impressed when he saw it. But while we were discussing, late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, may Allah grant him pardon came and took him away and when he was coming back, he didn’t even look at my side. In that cloudy situation, I saw the wife and gave her the book. Excited, she ask how did we get the picture of their wedding. She promised to help me talk to her husband that he will come and launch it. When we were leaving and I said I will contact her, she said I should never call her and with that instruction, I lost hope, we could not eat that day and return to Ilorin.
What happened next?
Surprisingly we received Olanipekun’s call the third day that he has gone through the book and we should expect him 19th of March, 2020 in Ilorin and this was on the 4th. When I raised fears that we might not be able to organised it within that time, he said we should leave everything to God. He said I should not invite governors or personalities just lawyers in Ilorin for us to fraternise. Few days later, his PA called that my attention was needed and I had to take a flight from Abuja with some of my executives and members of the book launching committee. When we got there, he asked how prepared are we and we told him members annual dues would be used to organise it but he rejected it and gave us N2.5m. It was a lovely event as more than ten SANs came through him and we realised about N13m. We had it on Thursday, it was the Saturday that followed federal government declared the Covid-19 lockdown which has subsisted till date. That is why I will continue to thank God. That event would have been history and that is why I said prayers and luck were key. Mallam Yusuf was Chief Launcher and did so very well, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) gave us N5m, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), Chief Otaru (SAN), Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) were all there. That day was a dream come true and after that success, I have always been happy and fulfilled anytime I remember. It’s not easy launching a book with such success.
What were your gains?
We had lots of quality programmes like holding our law week after about four years absence. We had our Bar Dinner, symposium, retreat, lectures and others. We subsidised conference attendance held in Lagos for our members and for the first time in our history in Ilorin Bar, we introduced Mentor Half Hour where we brought Olorunnishola (SAN), who just turned 80 years few days ago to talk about how Ilorin bar started and his experience in life. In terms of infrastructure, we connected the bar centre with electricity, did the wiring for the whole place, commenced payment of our debts and renovated and completed our gym. From the proceeds of the book, we reconstructed and equipped our library and erected a mask for internet, we can now browse within the high court premises. Furthermore, we digitalised the library, bought sets of Apple Macnote computers, constructed giants bookshelves with books, air conditioned the library, conference room and chairman’s office and we gave two cars to lucky winners through raffle draw, a male and female. But more importantly, we now have a united bar which is our major achievement. Everybody now has a sense of justice and everywhere is peaceful.
Any unfulfilled dream?
The major one is that I promised the young lawyers office accommodation. Not that there was no money to do it, but I avoided embarking on late hour projects. I hope the new administration will be able to do that. Although we met near empty treasury, we don’t want to do that to our successors. We are leaving sufficient amount in seven digits that can take them till next year. We have done four months subscription ahead so that the incoming administration will have no cause to start paying bills.
Would you like to return as chairman someday if you have the opportunity?
God forbid. It is what I have tasted and I smiled at my experience but it wasn’t easy. I pray for better assignment and not in any capacity as the head because it is too time and career consuming. I love legal practice and litigation and I don’t want to take any bar assignment again in a chief executive position. The NBA chairmanship position supposed to be full time with salary. There is no salary for executive members and some NEC meetings we attended when we started we had to go cap in hand begging. I also expended my personal resources. But thank God, I got every kobo I spent back.
Why were you not interested in your successor after all the achievements you have listed?
I earlier believe any successful administration must be interested in the successor but the Nigeria political scene has taught me a lot of things. Your so-called anointed candidate will most likely ask for your head after you have left office. Just do what is fair and leave the rest to God in line with your dictate and conscience. You see, when an incoming administration discovered that you were fair, there is no cause for bringing down the roof on you. Look at what is happening in Edo State between Oshiomhole and Obaseki, Kwankwaso and Ganduje among others. Not too many people get away with it.
Are you not afraid about any probe?
Not at all! With my career as a civil servant, I ensured we raise memos in the spending of any money and I set up a procurement committee for any purchase we made. Sometimes we even go for pricing. We did most of our things through direct purchase and eliminated cash payment so that we can easily trace money which also eliminated fraud. Today it’s the people who are saying our administration is the best so far. Last year, Ilorin bar was rated the fourth in Nigeria. But I still believe we ought to have performed better and I did little in my own view.
What is your advice?
The incoming administration should consolidate on the achievements of our administration because that was what helped me. That is the only way we can move the bar forward. Our gym is first of its kind in Nigeria. The new administration now should look at unique things that they can do just like what Lord Denin said that “every legal animal must be ready to make history which can only be made by doing what has not been done so that society will not remain static. The new chairman should be patient and try to build on the existing peace. Lawyers are very critical people and it takes a lot of patience and wisdom to rule them. They join issues and argue with you on anything, criticise you for every action, suspect you for every move and investigate you on any deal. Some lawyers went to the dealer to investigate the cars we gave out.
