Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch fondly called Ibadan Bar is the Premier Bar and was formed in the year 1954, in the home of late Pa Harrison Obafemi, by few private legal practitioners with its pioneer Chairman being late Pa Harrison Obafemi, and late Pa O. Adegunwa became the pioneer secretary who held offices from 1954-1959.
The Association was initially known as Western Nigeria Bar Association and was the first association of lawyers in the entire country which later metamorphosed to Nigerian Bar Association as we have it now hence the title "Premier Branch". The Western Region at the material time comprised the six states of the current South-West geo political zone including Edo and Delta states of the present South-South zone.
Ibadan Bar, the premier branch as it came to be known, set the pace for all that is noble and honourable in the practice of the legal profession in Nigeria. It was at Ibadan that the tradition of quintessential practice of law in Nigeria took root and has continued to be dispersed to the other parts of the country. Integrity, honesty and honour remain part of the heritage the Ibadan Bar has bequeathed to the profession. This partly explains why a good number of practitioners baked in the Ibadan environ got easily elevated to the bench.
Great legal icons in the Nigerian legal hall of fame had their roots in Ibadan Bar. Some of the “firsts”in the annals of Nigerian legal history are connected with the Ibadan Bar. The first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola was a product of the Ibadan Bar; so also was the late Chief F.R.A Williams, CFR, CON, SAN. Hon. Justice Adenekan Ademola, who as a legal practitioner took over as chairman of the Ibadan Bar in 1960 and was later elevated to the bench. His Lordship rose to the pinnacle of the Judiciary in Nigeria before his retirement.
Also in the category of ‘firsts’ is the ever graceful Chief Folake Solanke, SAN - the first Nigerian female lawyer to take silk. Ibadan again made history in 1996 when our Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN became the first Nigerian lawyer to be admitted to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the dot of ten years at the bar. Former officers of the Bar among other members rose to the pinnacle of the Judiciary before their retirement. Hon.Justice Bola Babalakin, CON a retired justice of the Supreme Court – he was Chairman of Ibadan Bar from 1973-1974 and a member of the National Judicial Council. Hon.Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola CON, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, one of the most erudite judges Nigeria has ever been blessed with was Secretary of Ibadan Bar from 1964-1965 before his appointment as the Chief Judge of Gambia.
Other past officers of the Ibadan Bar who had adorned the judiciary before their retirement were former chairmen of the branch among whom are - late Hon. Justice J.O. Ogunbiyi; the late Hon. Justice Owolabi Sonoiki; the late Hon. Justice P.O. Aderemi, JSC; Hon. Justice J.O. Fawole among others.
While on the bench, products of Ibadan Bar distinguished themselves and served credibly. Amongst these are Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, the first indigenous Chief Justice of the Federation; the Late Hon. Justice Atanda Fatayi- Williams, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Hon. Justice Akinola Aguda (an erudite Nigerian jurist and one time Chief Justice of Bostwana); late Hon. Justice KayodeEso CON, of the Supreme Court.
In this esteemed category also belong Hon. Justice A.G.O. Agbaje, CON, JSC (rtd.), the Late Hon. Justice Babasanya Craig JSC (rtd.), Hon. Justice Bola Babalakin CON, JSC (rtd), to mention a few. Till date, there are others at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal who have either retired or are still serving who have an Ibadan pedigree.
This branch laid the foundation of what is today the vibrant Nigeria Bar Association. With time, the branch flourished and produced the crème de la crème of the legal profession in the country. On three occasions, distinguished personalities from our branch have directed the affairs of the NBA as Presidents: Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN CON; Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, CON and our patron and Governor of OndoState - Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. In 2002, Ibadan Bar hosted the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Ibadan Bar has produced Attorney-General of the Federation and States, Justices of the Supreme Court, sizeable number of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, top politicians and Government office holders.
Also, quite a number of law reports which have contributed significantly to the intellectual growth of the legal profession such as; The Nigerian Monthly Law Reports, The Nigerian Supreme Court Quarterly Law Report, The Federal Reporter, Supreme Court Monthly etc. all have their roots in Ibadan.
As part of the annual tradition of bringing members of the branch together to discuss national issues and matters affecting legal practice, the branch held its 66th Law Week celebration in December 2020 with the theme “Nigeria after 60: Building a Nation that Works” under the leadership of Olayinka Abiodun Esan, Esq. It was during the celebration that two distinguished members of the branch – Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN and Asiwaju Adeniyi Akintola, SAN were honoured as patrons of the Premier in recognition of their continuous support to the branch and the legal profession.