Called to bar in 2012 to bag his B.L.L, Olayinka Dauda Jimoh explained how he has been fairing as a young lawyer in the legal profession for over a decade. Covering all the 19 northern states in Nigeria, he is the Chairman, Arewa Young Lawyers Forum. Jimoh graduated from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State and now in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) to further his studies.
In this interview with ADETUNJI AYOBROWN, he narrated his Most Dramatic Day in court.
It was a criminal case involving Ibrahim Danjarida versus Sokoto State with my former principal, Jubril Nwandie.
We initially had issues with some of our documents filed, hence the court mandated us to go back and regularise these documents.
But by the next court day, my office had not regularised all needed documents. And in order to avoid any embarrassment my boss ordered me to the court.
My first day in appeal court. It was before three justices led by Ahmed O. Belgore (someone I so much respected and took after in this legal profession).
Youngest wig, as a corper lawyer, I had earlier refused my boss I said that I will not go.
But my boss boosted my confidence. He said that “you have to go, you are a lawyer, nothing bad will happen”.
What will I say? I still refused my boss, pointing out that we have not regularised the documents as ordered by the court.
But he instantly ordered again, and said “go there and say whatever thing that comes to your mind”.
Our Client, Danjarida had been convicted by the trial court, Sokoto State High Court, so we appealed against the decision. Without any other option, I left for the court.
But before I left for the court, I called my mother. I did that because I was appearing for the very first time at the court of appeal. And didn’t know what to expect.
Narrating my ordeal to my mum, that it was like ‘Oga’ pushed me to the lions’ den to be killed without mercy.
Due to my first appearance in the appeal court and the case was the first on the list that court day, the court now asked me “where are the documents you were asked to go and regularised?
I said “my lord…” trying to explain myself
Mr. Whali from the Sokoto state Ministry of Justice lead the state team with other corpers who are in the court to make jest of my predicaments. Immediately the case was called and by the time I looked to my both sides, I was alone. With no one by my side. No one to identify with me.
What a solo appearance? It was my first solo appearance as a lawyer facing the three justices of Court of Appeal. As if that was not enough.
Announcing my appearance was my biggest mistake. When I announced myself as a counsel appearing for the accused person.
My lord, Justice Belgore instantly asked “in this court?”
Instead of saying I was appearing for the appellant. I forgot the right thing to say
He was no longer an accused person, because he had been convicted. I took the hint.
Appellant was the right thing to say and I quickly corrected myself.
With fear now at a crescendo in my mind, I was asked for the documents but I told the honourable court that the documents are not ready. That by god’s grace next court date we must have regularised all needed documents and be done with them.
But ordinarily if I hadn’t made the appearance in court instead of my principal, the court would have struck out the case.
But for the fact that, I appeared so pathetic before the court. I was seriously shaking.
And noticing everything that was going on, Justice Belgore then asked, “Lawyer why this?”
He said “I understand, but just try your best. I know you can do it”.
It was the most dramatic day since I had been on this job.
