The Legacy of Our Class

The Legal profession in Nigeria made history when it clocked one hundred years in 1986. In that same year, the 1985/1986 set of students of the Nigerian Law School (Class '86) were called to the Nigerian Bar. Class '86 thus became the "Centennial Class."

As members of Class '86 continued to rise and occupy exalted positions both within and outside the Legal profession, the idea of a reunion gradually became irresistibly embraced by all members. Quickly, members began to meet formally from- 1999 during the Annual General Conferences of the Nigerian Bar Association. The meetings, which were hosted by members of the Class, led to the adoption of a constitution and election of an executive to run the affairs of the Class. Since 1999, the Annual General Meeting of the Class has been held yearly except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The members of the first Executive Committee of the Class were:

1. Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN - Chairman
2. Mr. Roland Otaru, SAN - Secretary
3. Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN - Treasurer

At the Kaduna meeting, in 2010, the following members were elected into the Executive Committee namely:

1. K.T. Turaki, SAN, FCIArb (UK) - Chairman
2. Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN - Secretary
3. Mohammed Monguno - Assistant Secretary/Secretary
4. Ezinwa Okoroafor - Treasurer
5. Sylvia Shinaba, SAN - Financial Secretary (deceased)
6. Marcel Oru - Public Relations Officer
7. Nelson Nworgu - Auditor (deceased)
8. Hon. Babatunde Ogala - Ex-Officio Member

At the Lagos meeting held on 22nd August, 2017 the immediate Executive Committee of the Class was elected; namely:

1. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, FCIArb (UK) - Chairman
2. Marcelluous Oru, SAN, FCIArb (UK) - Secretary
3. Sola Oluwanuga, Mni, C.Arb - Assistant Secretary
4. Yetunde Akinloye - Treasurer
5. Tokunbo Adenike Ajayi - Financial Secretary
6. Hon. Babatunde Ogala, SAN - Public Relations Officer
7. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, FCIArb (UK) - Auditor
8. Vincent Otiono, Esq. - Social Welfare Officer

At the Abuja AGM held on 29th August, 2023, the present Executive Committee of the Class was elected; namely:

1. Marcelluous Oru, SAN, FCIArb (UK) - Chairman
2. Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye - Secretary
3. Hon. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, OFR - Treasurer
4. Omeresan Arenyeka, Esq. - Public Relations Officer
5. Mrs. Nnena Ojiako - Financial Secretary
6. Alh. Dikko Ibrahim Haske - Assistant Secretary
7. Omolara Alakija - Welfare Secretary
8. Christopher Oshomagie, SAN - Auditor

EX OFFICIO

1. Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN, C.Arb, MFR, OFR
2. ​Alhaji K.T. Turaki, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
3. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
4. ​Roland I. Otaru, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
5. Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN
6. Mohammed Monguno, Esq.
7. Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor

• To promote the best ideals of the legal profession in Nigeria and in the diaspora.
• To support the Nigerian Bar Association in its aims and objectives.
• To promote the individual and collective interests of members of Class 86.
• To secure endowment funds for the interest and benefit of members of Class 86.
• To provide an avenue for networking and support activities amongst members.
• To assist the Nigerian Law School as and when the need arises.

We have members who are practising within and outside Nigeria in line with international best practice in their respective jurisdictions.

The Class can boast of at least 50 Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have attained the highest level of excellence in the practice of Law in Nigeria. One is both a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queen's Counsel in the U.K. Additionally, the Class has produced 2 Honourable Attorneys General of the Federation (M.K. Aondoaka, SAN, and Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, CFR), who were appointed through hard work and integrity. More than 25 members of the Class have also been appointed as Attorneys-General of the states (former and serving).

Furthermore, the Class, more than any other class of the NLS, has the highest number of Judges of both State and Federal High Courts in Nigeria, with eleven (11) Justices of the Court of Appeal and over 15 Judges of the various Customary/Sharia Courts of Appeal. We have also produced several Head of Courts amongst them are Hon. Justice Prof. Kanyip, President of National Industrial Court, who succeeded Hon. Justice Adejumo also a member of the class; Hon. Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu, Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, one of the few female Heads of Court who succeeded another member of the class, Hon. Justice Suleiman Dikko; Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, Chief Judge of Ekiti State (deceased); Hon. Justice Ambursa Chief Judge of Kebbi State (rtd); Grand Khadi of Kaduna State - Shehu Ibrahim Ahmed; President Customary Court of Appeal Imo State - Hon. Justice Emeka Njoku (rtd) amongst others. The Class has produced the former Chief Justices of the Gambia and Botswana. To the glory of God, the Class now boasts of 2 Justices of the Supreme Court: Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim and Hon. Justice Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole. Beyond them, we have James Ocholi, SAN, Hajia Mohammed (Mama Taraba), K.T. Turaki, SAN, Mrs Erelu Obada and Lai Mohammed, who were Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at one time or the other. We have produced a Governor (Sir Celestine Omehia), Deputy Governors, Generals in the Armed Forces and Senior Police Officers, Senators, and Honourable members of the National Assembly, led by DSP Ovie Omo-Agege, who are on or were in all legislative houses.

The Class has had fair representation of its members over the years in both the National body and the local branches throughout Nigeria. They have acted as resource persons at several NBA activities and Conferences and as leading lights in all areas of practice and public life. The Class has produced the President of the Nigerian Bar Association: Mr Austin Alegeh, SAN. Members of the Class have been members of the Council of Legal Education, members of the Body of Benchers, headed various committees of NBA (National), Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NBA; and have produced over 30 chairmen of various local branches of the NBA throughout Nigeria. Both Chief Niyi Akintola SAN and Chief J.K. Gadzama, SAN had contested to be President of the NBA.

The Class has in place a welfare package for families of deceased members, which includes donations in cash/kind and personal visits to these families.

A life Assurance policy is being concluded with Coronation Insurance Plc for the welfare of the members of the Class.

Furthermore, the Class organised a Silver Jubilee Award Night on 14th July 2012 @ Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, where it gave various awards to 209 deserving members who have attained honours in their various fields of endeavour in the following categories:

• Great achievers Award for Pace-setters & Prime movers of the Class.
• Award of Excellence for Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
• Distinguished Service Award for Judges & Justices of the Class.
• Merit Award for members of the Class who are leaders of organisations, parastatals, Commissioners, Directors of Blue-chip Companies.
• Cupid Award for members of the Class who married each other.
• Service Award for members of the Class who are State Directors, Company Secretaries, Past officers of Class '86, Permanent Secretaries, etc.
• Silver Award for members of the Class who are Honourable members of the States' Houses of Assembly
• Outstanding Service Award for members of the Class who are Generals and Professors.
• Gold Service Award for members of the Class who are Senators or Honourable members of the House of Representatives.

Every member of the Class has a membership plaque and a membership pin. Members of the Class who are well placed in various offices and organizations assist other members from time to time. On 2nd May 2013, the Class hosted a special dinner/reception for two of its members who were appointed ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to wit: Erelu (Dr.) Olusola Agbeja Obada (Hon. Minister of State for Defence) and Alhaji Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN (Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs)

At our AGMs, the Class organises lectures and seminars on current issues of law to deepen knowledge and ensure robust academic intercourse amongst members.

Apart from the networking done by members at the AGMs, in order to ensure robust and constant networking amongst members, the Class has both a website: www.nlsclass86.org, a discussion group entitled classeightysix@yahoogroups.com, and also a WhatsApp platform. These social facilities provide an avenue for rich discourse, create a sense of belonging amongst members of the Class, and ensure timely dissemination of information and cross-fertilisation of ideas.

The Class engaged the services of an IT firm to produce an e-museum to chronicle and disseminate information about the class and its members, which will be launched today

Over the years the Class has maintained cordial relationship with other classes. The Class also invites distinguished members of other classes or sets, such as class of '78, class of '87 and class of '90 to its functions, dinners and events. The Class has always had rich discussions with members of these classes.

The Class at its AGM resolved that a "who is who" of members be published to enable Nigerians keep tab on the progression of members of the Class. The contract for publication of same is about to be awarded to "Achievers Communications ltd".

The Class had some of its members who were very senior lecturers at the Nigerian Law School, and they have contributed in no small measure to the academic development of the Nigerian Law School. Dr Bob Osamor and Dr Nasiru Tijjani were Deputy Directors of the Nigerian Law School and contributed immensely to the training of lawyers at the Nigerian Law School. Apart from these, some members of the 1986 Class have also delivered key lectures at the Nigerian Law School and at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). In demonstration of the love the Class has for the Nigerian Law School, the Class of '86, on the 14th of July 2012 at its Silver Jubilee Dinner, donated a Brand-New Toyota Hiace bus to the Nigerian Law School headquarters, Bwari, Abuja. The bus was well branded with the inscription "The Nigerian Law School Bwari Abuja, Donated by NLS Class '86 (The Centennial Class)" and it was presented to its Director-General, Dr Mamman Tahir.

At the AGM of the Class held on the 28th of August, 2012, it was resolved that the Class shall construct an ultra-modern moot court hall at the NLS Headquarters at Bwari, Abuja as a mark of gratitude to the Nigerian Law School for training members of the Class to become prominent members of the honourable and distinguished legal profession.

The Ultra-Modern Moot Court project was conceptualised and commenced by then Chairman Hon. K. T. Turaki, SAN, FCIArb(UK), who officially made the announcement in 2013 at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Law School by the Council of Legal Education, "The Law School at 50 legacy projects scheme". The Foundation stone for the Moot Court was laid in 2015 by one of our own, the then Pioneer President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, CON.

The initial Bill of Quantities for the project was made to build one Moot Court. No sooner had we started the project than the Nigerian Law School approached us to supplicate that we make it a twin moot court to meet the demands of the teeming law students. Thus, we had to adjust the Bill of Quantities and our budget. When the immediate past Exco led by Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, FCIArb(UK), FCTI, FMIN, KSC, came in 2017, it inherited this project and set up various fundraising committees to solicit funds from our members and others to complete the project. From 2017 to 2022, the said Exco continued with the same commitment, drive and focus as its predecessors in office, sourcing funds to deliver the project, including the first admin block and the setting out of the floor for the courts. We added another administrative or judges' chambers convenience and an equipment room. As they say, the rest is history to the glory of Almighty God and to widen the horizon of legal education. We have now erected 2 moot courts at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, which was commissioned by the CJN, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on 30th June 2022.

Further good news is that your Class has used her influence at the National Assembly to lobby for the construction and funding by the Government of another Twin Moot Court at the Nigerian Law School Headquarters, Bwari, Abuja. It was constructed in less than 24 months, and it has since been put to use by the teeming law students at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja.

The Class has established an endowment fund for the Nigerian Law School for the award of a prize to the best student in professional ethics skills in perpetuity

The Nigerian Law School is very dear to the heart of members of the Centennial Class, because without the law school, we would not be legal practitioners today. God has so blessed members of the Centennial Class that members of the class are everywhere doing good by the grace of God. Without sounding immodest, the class boasts of 2 past Federal Attorneys General, two Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court (it took us so much hard work, prayers and the grace of God to get there); 11 Justices of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, High Court and National Industrial Court judges, past and serving Ministers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, legislators and others who have distinguished themselves in either legal practice, boardrooms or other endeavours. To God be the glory.

Members of the class are ably represented in and out of Government, such as past State Governors, Deputy Governors, past Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, past Chief Justices of Gambia and Botswana, Justices of the Court of Appeal, President of The International Criminal Court at the Hague, Chief Judges of High Courts of States, President of the National Industrial court, Judges of High Courts, Customary/Sharia Courts of Appeal and National Industrial court, Distinguished Senators, Honourable members of the House of Representatives, Secretary to State Government, Federal and States' Permanent Secretaries and Directors, Commissioners, Company Directors and Secretaries of blue chip Companies, members of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Heads of parastatals and other Federal and States' Agencies. We have Professors of law who have served or are serving as Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments and Lecturers in several Universities in and outside Nigeria. The Class also has a good list of former Ministers in the Federal Executive Council of the FRN, Ambassadors, Commissioners in several State Executive Councils, members who are Chairmen of Federal Boards and very successful businessmen and women.

Following the security challenges facing our dear country, the Class constituted a committee of very experienced members to brainstorm on the security challenges in Nigeria and proffer workable solutions. The Report has been submitted, and the Class is currently interfacing with various organs of Government on the matter.

• Continuing legal education of members by building capacity through seminars, lectures and conferences.
• Deepening relationships amongst members to facilitate and enhance the business and welfare of the members.
• Fostering stronger ties with other classes of the Nigerian Law School.
• To secure endowment funds for the interest and benefit of members of Class '86.
• Equipping the moot court with state - of- the art gadgets comparable to those in other parts of the world.
• Scholarship to indigent students of the Nigerian Law School.
• Giving awards to deserving lecturers of the Nigerian Law School.
• A yearly award for the best overall law school student in various fields.
• Synergising with Government to bring more developments to all campuses of the NLS.

GOD BLESS THE CLASS OF 86, GOD BLESS THE NBA, GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL, GOD BLESS NIGERIA.