Adetokunbo Ademola
Encyclopedia
Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola, KBE
, GCON
(1 February 1906 - 29 January 1993) was a Nigerian jurist, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
, and son of King Ladapo Ademola II, paramount leader as the Alake of the Egba
clan of Nigeria.
as the son of the Alake of Egbaland, Ademola II, who reigned in Abeokuta, a historic walled city of the Egbas in south-western Nigeria. He got his secondary education at St Gregory's Grammar School Obalende and King's College Lagos
. Sir Adetokunbo studied law at Selwyn College
, University of Cambridge
from 1928 to 1931. From 1958 to 1972, he served as Chief Justice
. He married the former Miss Kofo Moore, who obtained a BA at Oxford and was daughter of the late Eric Moore, first Lagos member of the United nations committee of experts advising on labor conventions and regulations.
In 1955, a year before western Nigeria became internally self-governing, Sir Adetokunbo was appointed Chief Justice for Western Nigeria, thus becoming the first Nigerian head of the judiciary anywhere in Nigeria. His string of 'firsts' continued when, three years later, he became the first Nigerian Chief Justice of the entire Federation of Nigeria.
Sir Adetokunbo, along with Dr. Teslim Olawale Elias (who succeeded him as Chief Justice of Nigeria) was instrumental in the establishment of the Nigerian Law School. Prior to its establishment, legal practitioners had had to qualify at the English Bar.
of the Yoruba people
, and thus often made use of the pre-nominal honourific Omoba. He was first knighted in January, 1957, and in 1963 was appointed one of Queen Elizabeth's Privy Councilors. Later that year, she awarded him a KBE. By serving as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Ademtokunbo was conferred with the title Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by the independent Government of the Federation.
Sir Adetokunbo was also a member of the United Nations International Public Service Advisory Board, member of the International commission of Jurists, executive member of World peace through Law, vice president of the world Association of Jurists, president of the Nigerian Red Cross Association, chairman of Nigeria Cheshire homes, member of the International Olympic committee, member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and president of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity
.
In addition to all of this, he was both one of the founders and eventual chairman of the Metropolitan Club, a founding member of the Island Club and vice patron of the Yoruba Club.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, GCON
Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria
Nigerian National Honours are a set of orders and decorations conferred upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria every year. They were instituted by the National Honors Act No...
(1 February 1906 - 29 January 1993) was a Nigerian jurist, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the head of the judicial branch of the government of Nigeria, and presides over the country's Supreme Court...
, and son of King Ladapo Ademola II, paramount leader as the Alake of the Egba
Egba
The Egba are a clan of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. Many Egba live in the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.- History :...
clan of Nigeria.
Early life & Education
Sir Adetokunbo was born into royaltyRoyalty
Royalty may refer to:* Royal family , or one or more of its members* Royalties, the payment made for a concession of commercial value Royalty may refer to:* Royal family (by extension the ruling house of any monarchy, regardless of the title), or one or more of its members* Royalties, the payment...
as the son of the Alake of Egbaland, Ademola II, who reigned in Abeokuta, a historic walled city of the Egbas in south-western Nigeria. He got his secondary education at St Gregory's Grammar School Obalende and King's College Lagos
King's College, Lagos
King's College, Lagos is a secondary school in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It was founded on 20 September 1909 with 10 students on its original site at Lagos Island, adjacent to Tafawa Balewa Square. The school admits male students only, although there were some female HSC students before the...
. Sir Adetokunbo studied law at Selwyn College
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
from 1928 to 1931. From 1958 to 1972, he served as Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the head of the judicial branch of the government of Nigeria, and presides over the country's Supreme Court...
. He married the former Miss Kofo Moore, who obtained a BA at Oxford and was daughter of the late Eric Moore, first Lagos member of the United nations committee of experts advising on labor conventions and regulations.
Career Details
Sir Adetokunbo was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in London in 1934. After returning to Nigeria, he worked from 1934-35 as crown counsel at the then Attorney- General's Office, then for a year as assistant secretary at the southern secretariat in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. From 1936, Sir Adetokunbo practiced until 1939, when he was appointed Magistrate of the protectorate Court. In 1949 he became the third Nigerian to be appointed a Pusine Judge. In 1948 he served as a member of the commission for the revision of court legislation.In 1955, a year before western Nigeria became internally self-governing, Sir Adetokunbo was appointed Chief Justice for Western Nigeria, thus becoming the first Nigerian head of the judiciary anywhere in Nigeria. His string of 'firsts' continued when, three years later, he became the first Nigerian Chief Justice of the entire Federation of Nigeria.
Sir Adetokunbo, along with Dr. Teslim Olawale Elias (who succeeded him as Chief Justice of Nigeria) was instrumental in the establishment of the Nigerian Law School. Prior to its establishment, legal practitioners had had to qualify at the English Bar.
Knighthood, Honors & Memberships
Adetokunbo Ademola was a princePrince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
of the Yoruba people
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
, and thus often made use of the pre-nominal honourific Omoba. He was first knighted in January, 1957, and in 1963 was appointed one of Queen Elizabeth's Privy Councilors. Later that year, she awarded him a KBE. By serving as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Ademtokunbo was conferred with the title Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by the independent Government of the Federation.
Sir Adetokunbo was also a member of the United Nations International Public Service Advisory Board, member of the International commission of Jurists, executive member of World peace through Law, vice president of the world Association of Jurists, president of the Nigerian Red Cross Association, chairman of Nigeria Cheshire homes, member of the International Olympic committee, member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and president of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity
Ogboni
Ogboni is a fraternal institution indigenous to the Yoruba language-speaking polities of Nigeria, Republic of Bénin and Togo...
.
In addition to all of this, he was both one of the founders and eventual chairman of the Metropolitan Club, a founding member of the Island Club and vice patron of the Yoruba Club.