SAKI ELITES ABUJA BRANCH [NASE], HONOUR BARRISTERS OMOSANYA POPOOLA AND ADEMOLA ABIMBOLA ON THEIR ELEVATION TO SANship
WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SAKI ELITES (NASE) ABUJA BRANCH, ALH. KEHINDE MUSTAPHA, AT THE RECEPTION ORGANIZED BY NASE, ABUJA, FOR BARRISTERS OMOSANYA POPOOLA AND ADEMOLA ABIMBOLA ON THEIR ELEVATION TO THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA, HELD ON OCTOBER 26, 2024, AT MONALIZA EVENT CENTRE, ABUJA +PROFILE OF THE TWO SANship
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GREATRIBUNTVNEWS– Royal Father of the Day,
Kabiyesi, His Royal Majesty, the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olbest
The Chairman of the Occasion, the Right Honourable Tajudeen Abisodun
The Respected Father of the Day, Chief Tunji Adurogbangba
The Mother of the Day, my beloved Sister, the Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Barrister Modinat Akanni
The Special Guest of Honor Justice Mohammed Madugu.
Distinguished Guests of Honour
The Honourees
Esteemed members of NASE, Abuja,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon, and welcome to this auspicious occasion organised by the National Association of Saki Elites (NASE) Abuja Branch. This afternoon, we gather here to celebrate and honour two remarkable legal luminaries, who are Princes from our dear town, Saki, Barristers Omosanya Popoola and Ademola Abimbola, who have recently been elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
2. This elevation is a testament to their legal prowess and dedication and a recognition of their unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and excellence in the legal profession. It is a moment of immense pride for all of us from Saki as we witness the accomplishments of our distinguishedd sons.
3. Barristers Omosanya Popoola and Ademola Abimbola have exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and integrity throughout their legal careers. They have also brought to bear the resilience and commitment of an average son and daughter of Saki to duty in all spheres of human endeavours. Their contributions to the legal field and unwavering support for the rule of law have earned them this well-deserved honour.
4. As we gather this afternoon at the Monaliza Event Centre in Abuja, let us celebrate their achievements and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values they represent. Let us strive for justice, fairness, and excellence in all our endeavours within the legal profession and beyond. The accomplishments and celebration represent a significant milestone in the history of our dear town, particularly given the renewed agenda of the present administration and the focus on the reform of the judiciary as an important institution.
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5. Saki has produced brilliant lawyers since the 1950s, but none has reached this pinnacle of the inner bar, equivalent to King’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is, therefore, a great joy for me that the great town of Saki is blessed with two SANs at once, especially when a colleague informed me that a particular State in this country has only one SAN.
6. I congratulate the Kabiyesi on the feats attained by our sons during your reign. I am convinced that many great things will continue to transform Saki into a first-class city during your lifetime.
7. The Abuja branch of NASE considered your new status a remarkable achievement that can be leveraged to facilitate more significant developments in our dear town. Saki is yearning for structural and human capital development, which you can use your network to bring to fruition. Abuja NASE is, therefore, charging you to contribute more to Saki’s human and structural development. I wish to let you know that this Association will also cherish your active participation and advice on moving it forward. We expect you to partner with the Government at all levels to achieve the objectives of streamlining the legal and regulatory framework and ensure a clear definition of federal, state and local government roles, where appropriate.
8. Kabiyesi and other dignitaries here present, I wish to state that the NASE Abuja chapter, under my leadership, resolved to partner with all the like-minded individuals and groups and committed to improving the lives of Sakites home and abroad in a manner that not only reflects our bond and humanity but encourages compassion towards one another and duly rewards our collective efforts to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us
9. On behalf of all the members of the NASE Abuja branch, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the two of you for this significant milestone in your career. May this achievement be the beginning of even greater successes in your lives.
10. Before ending this address, permit me to appreciate those who contributed morally and financially to the success of this occasion. The success of today’s programme is a testimony to the statement that where there is a will, there is always a way. We thank you all for your donations to make this programme a reality.
11. Lastly, I welcome you all to this celebration of excellence and achievement. Enjoy this festivity as we honour our distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
12. Thank you.
Alh. Kehinde Mustapha,
President,
National Association of Saki Elites (NASE) Abuja Branch
THE JOURNEY TO SILKDOMADEMOLA KAMARDEEN ABIMBOLA S.A.N
Your Lordships,
Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria present today,
Distinguished Members of the Bar,
Highly respected Royal Fathers and Representatives,
Eminent Guests,
Cherished Family & Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We are gathered here on this glorious day to celebrate an extraordinary person, a legal practitioner of the highest quality, a litigator per excellence, an exceptional arbitrator, a brilliant advocate, and a gift to the Legal Profession. His achievements stand as a beacon of inspiration for all of us.
BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION
The Learned SAN was born in Saki, Oyo State of Nigeria, on 6th August 1984, to Prince Munta Ladipo Abimbola and Mrs T.A Abimbola.
NURSERY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION
His educational journey began at Omolewa Nursery & Primary School in Yemetu, Ibadan, Oyo State. In 1991, he relocated to Saki, Oyo State, to live with his grandfather, the then King of Saki. While in Saki, he attended Demonstration Teachers College before transferring to Army Children’s School, where he completed two years of primary education. After spending two years at the Royal Palace, he returned to Ibadan, where he continued his education and eventually completed his primary education at Sacred Heart Primary School.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
The Learned Silk attended the Government College Ibadan from 1995 to 2001 for his secondary school education. Throughout his time there, he maintained academic excellence, staying at the top of his class.
In SS2, he was appointed Lead Debater for the school, representing the institution in numerous debates across states. His exceptional skills earned the school multiple accolades, including awards in impromptu speaking competitions.
His talent for poetry became evident when the Society of Campus Poets at the University of
Ibadan awarded his poem “Best Poem.” His passion for the arts led him to join the Humanist Society, a drama club where he actively participated as an actor. His exceptional technological
skills earned him the position of President of the school’s Computer Club. Remarkably, he became the first arts student in the school’s history to join the JETS Club. In SS2, he made the bold decision to be part of the inaugural group to take the National Examination Council (NECO) exams, successfully clearing all his subjects in one sitting.
In 2000, while in his final year, he occupied a combined prefect and leadership role as the President of the MSS (Muslim Students Society) and brought distinguished personalities to the school, including the First Lady of Oyo State at the time, Saratu Lam Adesina, the wife of Governor Lam Adesina.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Diploma
In 2001, he enrolled in the Diploma in Law program at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, and graduated with an Upper Credit in 2003.
LLB Degree
Subsequently, he proceeded to the Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), where he studied law from 2003 to 2009.
His studious nature, cultivated from a young age, became evident during his university years. While many of his peers focused on standard course materials, he delved into international legal publications such as the *Harvard Law Review* and *Cambridge Law Journal*, earning him the nickname “Master of Roles” for his deep understanding of the law.
During his university years, he founded Legal Conglomerates, a magazine for law students highlighting prominent legal professionals’ social lives. This platform allowed him to interview esteemed figures in the legal field, including Aare Afe Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN, DLitt, FCIArb, and Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN FCIArb, among others.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, earning Second Class Upper Honours and finishing with the 7th highest GPA in a class of 650 students.
The Nigerian Law School
In 2010, he was admitted to the Nigerian Law School, Bagauda, Kano Campus.
After successfully passing his qualifying exams with Second Class Upper Honours, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010.
LEGAL CAREER
After his call to bar, he was posted to Anambra State for his National Youth Service Corp Program. At the end of his service year, he had conducted pre-trial conferences and trials, cross-examined multiple witnesses and participated in the 2011 election cycle.
09HOBBIES
The Learned Silk is a golfer and a member of the IBB International Golf Club. He also loves board games such as snooker, scrabble, chess, and puzzles to unwind. He is a football fan and a registered member of Chelsea Football Club. He enjoys watching football, golf, and basketball.
He loves travelling and dreams of travelling to all the countries of the world. He is a student of history, and as a result, he has studied world history and has a keen interest in royal history/the history of monarchies, governments, and religion.
He describes his best books as “the books that shaped his life”: Don Quixote, The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky, A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens, Best Shakespearean Books are As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing. His Best Poem is the Iliad by Homer. The best movies of all time are The Odyssey and Gladiator.
FAMILY LIFE
In conclusion, the Learned Silk, Ademola Abimbola, SAN, is a remarkable legal mind and a devoted family man. He is blessed with a loving wife and children.
Ademola Abimbola, SAN, is admired and respected by his family, friends, and colleagues for his generosity, empathy, affection, objectivity, and camaraderie. As we honour him today, we acknowledge that his story is a testament to God’s grace and favour. For without God, none of this would be possible.
PROFILE OF OMOSANYA ATILOLA POPOOLA, ESQ
Legal practitioner |Notary Public, Expert in Litigation, Arbitration, Real Estate, and Constitutional Law
Omosanya Atilola Popoola, a distinguished legal practitioner with over two decades of experience, has established himself as a leading advocate in Nigeria’s legal landscape. His journey began at Ayodele Nursery and Preparatory School in Iyaganku, Ibadan, before advancing to Government College Apata, Ibadan, where he served as Head of School (Senior Prefect) of the 1993 graduating class.
Omosanya earned his LLB from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where his academic excellence was recognized with the Olu Ayoola Prize for the best result in the LLB Part II Examinations. He later obtained his BL from the Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
His legal career commenced at Lateef O. Fagbemi & Co, where he rapidly rose through the ranks, from Junior Counsel to Partner, due to his dedication, hard work, and exceptional legal acumen. Omosanya’s expertise spans Litigation, Arbitration, Real Estate Law, and Constitutional Law, where he has played a pivotal role in high-profile constitutional matters and civil litigations across various sectors, including Construction, Real Estate, Oil and Gas, Telecommunications, Maritime, Aviation, and Banking.
Notably, Omosanya has conducted trials and appeals at all levels of the Nigerian judiciary, from courts of first instance to the Supreme Court, contributing to cases of significant national and constitutional importance. His specialization in Election Petition cases has seen him involved in numerous high-profile pre-election and election petitions across various states. He was a key member of the victorious legal teams representing President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 at the Presidential Election Petition Courts/Tribunals. His competence is well-documented in the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR), which contain numerous court decisions that underscore his legal expertise.
In addition to his litigation prowess, Omosanya is a respected member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom (CIArb UK). He possesses vast experience in international arbitration and has provided invaluable legal services to government institutions, NGOs, and corporate bodies.
Omosanya’s outstanding contributions to Nigerian legal jurisprudence were formally recognized with his conferment as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), one of the highest honors in the Nigerian legal profession. His rise to this prestigious rank is a testament to his unwavering dedication, competence, and significant impact on the legal field.
Beyond his professional achievements, He is happily married to Oluwagbeminiyi Popoola,Esq and blessed with two wonderful children. It is also important to state that Omosanya comes from
a lineage of distinction. He is the son of Hon. Justice Stephen Laoye Popoola, the first indigenous judge of Oke-Ogun extraction in Oyo state and a retired judge of the Oyo State judiciary. Omosanya is a Prince of the Alobalowo Ruling House of Saki in Oyo state, reflecting his deep roots
in his community.
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The epoch making event was witnessed by creme de la creme of the society among whom are Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun, member House of Representatives, Hon Justice Muhammed. A. Madug (PhD), Mrs Modinat. O.Akanni. Deputy Registrar,Supreme Court, Chief Tunji Adurogbangba, Father of the Day, Mr Fatai Rafiu Adio, CEO/MD ADRAF MOTORS, Alh Sulaiman Adebayo Audu, MD/CEO, STARDOM HORIZON, Alh Adewale Adedeji, among other guests
