Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, born on February 19, 1933, in Lagos State, Nigeria, is one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds and public figures. Known for his integrity, intellect, and dedication to national service, Okunnu’s name stands tall among the nation’s post-independence generation of leaders who shaped Nigeria’s political and legal institutions.
Early Life and Background
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu was born into a prominent Yoruba Muslim family in Lagos State. Growing up in Lagos during the colonial and early post-independence periods, he was exposed to both Western education and traditional Nigerian values — a blend that shaped his disciplined and patriotic character.
From a young age, Okunnu showed exceptional academic promise and leadership qualities, which led him to pursue higher education both at home and abroad.
Education
Okunnu attended King’s College, Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious secondary schools, where he excelled academically and participated in various extracurricular activities that honed his leadership skills.
After completing his secondary education, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study law. He was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, before returning to Nigeria to be enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
His legal education and training in Britain provided him with a strong foundation for the role he would later play in shaping Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.
Legal Career
Upon returning to Nigeria, Okunnu quickly rose through the ranks of the legal profession. His dedication, mastery of the law, and ethical conduct earned him the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.), one of the highest honors in the Nigerian legal system.
Over the years, he handled several landmark cases and served as legal counsel to major public and private institutions. His career was marked by a deep sense of justice, fairness, and professionalism.
He also contributed significantly to the development of legal education in Nigeria through mentorship and active participation in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other professional bodies.
Public Service and Political Career
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu’s public service career began in earnest when he was appointed Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing during the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon (1967–1974).
In this role, he supervised the construction and maintenance of major national infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, and housing estates across Nigeria. His tenure is remembered for promoting efficiency and accountability in public works.
In 1980, Okunnu served as part of the Nigerian Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, representing the country’s interests on global issues. His contributions reflected his deep commitment to Nigeria’s development and international diplomacy.
Family and Personal Life
Lateef Olufemi Okunnu is married to Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, a respected public servant and community leader who also served as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2003 under Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The couple has children who have followed in their footsteps of professionalism and public service. Their family is well known for its legacy of education, discipline, and civic responsibility.
Later Years and Legacy
Even in his later years, Okunnu remained active in national discourse, particularly concerning issues of governance, law, and Nigerian unity. He has been a vocal advocate for constitutional reform and has written and spoken extensively on Nigeria’s political structure, corruption, and the need for ethical leadership.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.
He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.
“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye has disclosed that the Nigerian Tiktoker, simply identified as Mirable, has been admitted to a State-owned health facility, and is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
Adeleye added that an investigation had begun and the survivor is presently receiving psychosocial support, and is responding positively to medical treatment.
The commissioner stated this on Thursday night shortly after visiting the survivor at the health facility, in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Medical Director of the facility.
According to her, the visit was aimed at assessing the survivor’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were promptly administered.
The Commissioner praised the personnel at the State-owned medical facility and the State Ministry of Justice for their quick response, as well as the Nigeria Police Force and Ogun State Police Command for their rapid and timely action as soon as the case was transferred to the State.
“This structured approach is intended to protect the survivor’s welfare while guaranteeing that investigations are conducted professionally, thoroughly, and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence”, Adeleye said.
She added that detailed examinations and all required clinical procedures are being carried out in line with established standards for managing cases of alleged sexual assault, while the security agency is carrying out their investigation simultaneously.
“The welfare, dignity, and safety of every survivor remains our utmost priority. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that “while we stand firmly with survivors, we are equally guided by due process.
“Investigations must be evidence-based, transparent, and fair to all parties involved, even as whosoever is found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She urged residents to steer clear of speculative narratives or sensational commentary that could compromise due process while assuring them that the State Government would get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
Meanwhile, she assured members of the public that further updates would be communicated at the appropriate time as credible findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
Nigerian TikToker, known simply as Mirabel has finally opened up on the allegation of rape she earlier raised in a viral video.
It was recalls that the content creator, with the username @mirab351 had, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man at her residence in Ogun State.
She claimed that the alleged rapist inflicted an injury on her privates with a blade.
Her story generated reactions across social media, causing the Nigeria Police to swing into action.
Some netizens, however, expressed scepticism on the factuality of the allegation, stating that the stories were not adding up.
But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said on Thursday that the command was investigating the matter.
However, Mirabel, who opened up to Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, VDM said she had been into drugs and could be hallucinating.
