New wig Oluwabusayo Olawale Ifonlaja was the cynosure of all eyes at the recent Call to Bar ceremonies hosted by the Body of Benchers as he not only emerged as the Best Graduating Student but carted home 17 prizes.

Ifonlaja had shown great promise when he emerged with a perfect 5.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) from the little known Nile University of Nigeria (NUN) where he also emerged as the “Overall Best Graduating Student” for the 2023 set.

Barely 24 hours to his Call to Bar, the new wig had taken to his X handle to note: “Less than 24hrs to my Call, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. From doubting my admission to now joining the largest Bar in Africa, it’s been a journey of silent sacrifices, stretched growth, and answered prayers. Tomorrow, I become a Legal Practitioner.”

Among the prizes carted home by the new wig was the star prize donated by the Chief Emeka Ngige SAN-led Council of Legal Education (CLE).

Others are Nigerian Law School Class of 1978 prize for Best Overall Student of the Year; Nigerian Law School Class of 1980 prize for Best Overall Student of the Year; Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, KBE, GCON prize for Best Student of the Year; Dr. Taslim Elias GCON, SAN prize for Best Student of the Year; Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams, GCON prize for Best Student of the Year; Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali SAN prize for Best Overall Male Student of the Year; Nigerian Bar Association prize for Best Overall Male Student; Bonime Jackson Lott Foundation prize for Best Male Student of the Year, and Hon. Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah, OFR prize for Most Promising Graduating Student of the Year.

Other prizes won by Ifonlaja are the Sir Darnley Alexander KBE prize for Best in Property Law Practice; The Body of Benchers prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills; Hon. Justice Kayode Kayode Esho CFR prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills; Chief Idowu Sofola, MON, SAN prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills; Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, CFR, SAN prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills; Mr. Damian D. Dodo OFR, SAN prize for Best in Professional Ethics and Skills; Director General’s Nigerian Law School prize for 1st Class Students, and Best Graduating Student, NLS, Lagos Campus.

Maryam Abiodun Lawal received the Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya SAN prize for the Best Female Graduating Student while Obinna Augustine Onyichi took home the Mrs. H. A. Balogun (OON) Special prize for the Best Graduating Physically Challenged Student.

Meanwhile, in the subject areas, Ifonlaja received the prize for Property Law Practice while Daniella Chisom Okangba won the prize for the Best Student in Civil Litigation. Temitayo Victoria Ojuko received the prize for Best Student in Criminal Litigation.

The first prize for Corporate Law Practice again went to Maryam Abiodun Lawal while Ifonlaja again took home the prize for Professional Ethics Skills.

No less than 260 new wigs received prizes donated by the Director General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma SAN for earning First Class grade at the Bar Final examination.

In his address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, retired Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged the new wigs to strive for success, saying: “It’s a new beginning of your life, it’s a brand-new endeavor and I wish you get what you dream for and achieve lots of success. May God bless you with strength and determination and prepare you for the unseen future.”

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