BRIEF HISTORY OF NBA IKORODU BRANCH
In the late 1980s, Ikorodu was served by a small group of prominent lawyers. Among them were the late Lawyer Jaiyesimi, a retired Chief Magistrate, and the late Chief Afolabi Akinsanya. Their prominence was soon complemented by Omotayo Benson, whose burgeoning practice quickly earned him a place alongside the established figures.
During this period, Mr. Ndarabi, initially posted to Ikorodu as a Youth Corps member, chose to stay and practice law there. He joined forces with Mr. Olumide Adejumo, who had already established his office, and Mr. Yomi Akinsanya, son of the late Pa Akinsanya Snr. Soon after, Mr. B.A. Jagun, previously employed at the law office of Chief B.O. Benson SAN in Lagos, was assigned to head the Ikorodu office, and Mr. Akin Duyilemi also arrived in Ikorodu in 1993.
Together, these lawyers formed the Residents Lawyers Association (RLA) of Ikorodu, which initially held meetings at the house/office of the late Pa Akinsanya. At that time, Ikorodu had only one Magistrate Court, which was severely inadequate for the growing legal community.
The government had a site for a High Court and registry, but it remained incomplete.
With the support of Chief B.O. Benson and Hon. Justice Alogba then a practicing lawyer and aspiring judge(now the Chief Judge of Lagos State), the RLA began advocating for the completion of the High Court and the establishment of a judicial division in Ikorodu. Their efforts included providing office furniture and stationery to persuade the Chief Judge to appoint a judge to Ikorodu.
The RLA’s persistence paid off when Hon. Justice Adebajo became the first judge to sit in Ikorodu.
Under the leadership of Mr. Olumide Adejumo, the RLA moved their meetings to the new High Court to encourage greater participation from resident lawyers and to pursue official recognition as a Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Following the relocation of the High Court to the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, the RLA shifted it’s meeting venue to Akin Duyilemi and Co.’s office.
In September 2012, Mr. Shillings secured a dedicated secretariat for the Branch, marking the start of meetings at its current location.
To gain formal recognition from the NBA, the RLA engaged Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, a well-known activist and associate of Femi Falana SAN and the late Gani Fawehinmi SAN. As the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ogbara played a crucial role in increasing the Branch’s visibility, organizing events, and attracting senior members of the Bar.
The NBA Ikorodu Branch was officially established with Mr. Olumide Adejumo as its first Chairman. Mr. Olu Otayomi, then working for Chief T.O.S. Benson, was tasked with drafting the branch’s bye-laws, which were formally adopted in 2006.
Since its inception, the NBA Ikorodu Branch has grown stronger, overcoming each challenge and seizing new opportunities. The Branch is well-regarded for its active involvement in Bar and Branch matters, human rights activities, community services, and for paying close attention to the welfare of its members.
Throughout its history, the Branch has produced a series of distinguished Chairmen. Recently, it made history by electing its 12th Chairman, who is also the first female Chairman in the Branch’s history and in the Lagos State Branches.
