• HE WAS IN COURT ON MONDAY

• HE WAS IN THE OFFICE WORKING BEFORE …

More facts have emerged on how fiery activist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) died yesterday.

Though there have been speculations that the activist “slumped and died” Tuesday, a ranking member of the branch dispelled that assertion, saying: “He did not slump.”

Giving more insight into the circumstances of his death, the Bar Leader wrote: “He was found dead on his office chair,” adding that “cause of death not yet known.

“Mr. Adesina Ogunlana was hale and hearty. He attended the branch meeting on Monday and made meaningful contributions concerning the ongoing protest. He recommended that the branch holds a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, to address the issues facing the nation.

“He was also seen in Ogba court on Monday, and his secretary and juniors said he was in the office yesterday working before they closed and left him.

“So what happened between that period is yet unknown, but he didn’t slump.”

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the passing away of the former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch, Adesina Ogunlana, as sudden and a great loss.

The governor commiserated with the Ogunlana family and the entire members of NBA, particularly Ikeja branch, over the death of “a fearless and courageous lawyer.’’

He said that the deceased, popularly called “Serubawon” by his colleagues, led a fulfilled life by making positive impact on the lives of the ordinary people during his lifetime.

Sanwo-Olu prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for God to grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

On its part, the Nigerian Bar Association expressed sadness over the death of the former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA. Ogunlana, who was Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch from 2016 to 2018, passed away on Tuesday.

In a statement by the National Executive Committee of the NBA, through the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, on Wednesday, the body said Ogunlana’s passage is a monumental loss.

The statement which was made available to CITY LAWYER also said that Ogunlana’s term as the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018.

The statement reads: ”It is with great sadness that the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association received the news today of the passage of one of the illustrious members of the NBA, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq.

“Mr. Ogunlana was a former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.

“His term as the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018.

“In this time, when citizens of this country look up to conscientious members of the legal profession for direction, the passage of Adesina Ogunlana is a monumental loss, as he was an activist in the exact sense of the word.

“Not one to shy away from standing firmly on the side of the people, Mr Ogunlana actively participated in the Nationwide Hunger Protest in Lagos last week.

“Through his life works as an advocate in the courtroom and publisher of Squib Magazine, Mr. Ogunlana, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, was renowned for his active commitment to the rule of law, effective administration of justice, and protection of human rights.

“The NBA and indeed the legal profession will miss Adesina Ogunlana, but more so will Nigeria. To his immediate family, friends, and members of the NBA Ikeja Branch, the NBA offers its deepest condolences.

“Be assured that you are not alone in your grief; we grieve with you but take solace in the man that Adesina Ogunlana was. May Almighty God comfort us all.”