Tribute to Richard Akinjide – By AHAMEFULA NJOKU

I received with sadness the death of Richard Akinjide, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria at 88 with nostalgia and sadness.

I had a close encounter with him in 2010 when l invited him to be the Chairman at the Public presentation of my second book, ”Lawyers  And Judges Digest” in 2010 at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos, Nigeria. After receiving my letter and an advanced copy of the book, Akinjide, a good administrator put a call to me inviting me to his office for a chat where we discussed the book presentation and other issues.

To underscore his character, Akinjide who became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on twelfth of January 1978 was the first prominent invitee to show up at the venue. Many journalists present expressed their surprise. In other words not only was he punctual, he understood as he told me later that as the Chairman of the event he had a responsibility to show a good example to others. At the event he decried the poor reading culture of Nigerians and said that the country  will do better if most of its citizens did not stop at acquiring formal education but had a reading culture that would help them expand their knowledge base.

As Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation from 1979 to 1983 and President of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1970 to 1973 he made numerous positive contributions and  bestrode the legal profession in Nigeria like a colossus, just like FRA Williams, NB Graham Douglas, GOK Ajayi, GCM Onyiuke, Chike Ofodile, kehinde Sofola and Ben Nwabueze, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria to mention but a few.

An intellectual giant, Akinjide who also practiced in London was respected internationally. He had a charismatic personlity which his  suave and urbane disposition accentuated. He aslo had a good sense of humour. His public speeches were often laced with rib- cracking jokes.

Without doubt he was one of those few Nigerians who truly believed in national unity and related with every one as a human being and not only on the basis of his tribe of origin or religion. He believed in meritocracy.

He lent his voice to any national discussion from his ware house of knowledge and experience.

In conclusion may  l extend my heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear this great loss. Indeed the Legal profession in Nigeria has lost a shinning star.

Njoku, a lawyer is the author of ”History of the Legal Profession in Nigeria.”