How one man’s courage and integrity shaped the legal profession and democracy in Nigeria.
Early Life and Education
Alao Aka-Bashorun was born in 1930 in Lagos State, Nigeria, into a family that valued education, discipline, and moral integrity. Growing up in the cosmopolitan environment of Lagos exposed him early to Nigeria’s evolving political and social realities during the colonial and post-independence periods.
He received his early education in Lagos before travelling abroad for further studies in law. Upon completing his legal education, he was called to the Bar in the 1960s, marking the beginning of what would become one of Nigeria’s most principled and impactful legal careers.
Aka-Bashorun’s passion for justice and fairness was evident from his earliest days as a lawyer. He viewed the legal profession not merely as a means of livelihood, but as a sacred duty to defend truth, uphold human dignity, and challenge oppression.
Rise in the Legal Profession
Over the decades, Alao Aka-Bashorun built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected and uncompromising lawyers. His brilliance in advocacy, coupled with an unwavering moral compass, earned him the admiration of his peers and the respect of the judiciary.
He served in several capacities within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) before eventually being elected as its President in the 1980s—a period marked by intense political repression and military rule. His leadership style was defined by courage, independence, and a firm belief that lawyers must serve as the conscience of society.
Under his presidency, the NBA became one of the most vocal institutions opposing dictatorship and human rights abuses in Nigeria. Aka-Bashorun frequently used the platform of the Bar to criticise military excesses and advocate for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the restoration of democratic governance.
Champion of Human Rights and Democracy
Alao Aka-Bashorun’s tenure as NBA President coincided with some of Nigeria’s most turbulent political years. The 1980s saw the rise and dominance of successive military governments, including those of Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida. Many civil liberties were curtailed, and dissenting voices were silenced.
In this climate of fear, Aka-Bashorun emerged as a courageous voice for justice. He openly challenged government decrees that undermined human rights and the independence of the judiciary. He also defended journalists, activists, and political detainees who faced persecution under the regime.
He believed that the Bar must not remain neutral in times of tyranny. His leadership transformed the NBA into a defender of democracy and social justice, often placing him at odds with the military establishment. Despite facing intimidation and threats, he refused to compromise his convictions.
Aka-Bashorun’s activism extended beyond the courtroom. He worked with other civil society groups to build alliances for democratic reform and transparency in governance. His speeches, writings, and public interventions inspired a generation of young lawyers and activists who later played crucial roles in Nigeria’s democratic transition.
Integrity and Personal Principles
One of the most enduring qualities associated with Alao Aka-Bashorun was his personal integrity. He was known for living modestly and for rejecting offers of political appointment or personal enrichment. To him, public service was a sacred trust, not a means of self-promotion.
He once famously remarked that a lawyer’s duty was to “speak the truth, even when it is dangerous to do so.” This belief guided his entire career and set a moral standard for others in the profession.
Even after his tenure as NBA president, Aka-Bashorun remained a moral authority within the Nigerian legal community. He continued to mentor younger lawyers, urging them to use their knowledge of the law to advance justice and societal progress.
Death and Legacy
Alao Aka-Bashorun passed away in 2005 at the age of 75. His death marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s legal and civil rights history. However, his ideals—courage, honesty, and service to humanity—continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners and human rights defenders.
In recognition of his contributions, he is often referred to as one of the most principled presidents in the history of the Nigerian Bar Association. His legacy lives on in the continued activism of the NBA, which remains a vital voice in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
References
Nigerian Bar Association Archives, “Past Presidents and Their Impact on Legal Activism in Nigeria.”
The Guardian (Nigeria), “Alao Aka-Bashorun: The Bar President Who Dared the Military,” 2005.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
