NBA Ijebu-Ode Makes Legal History, Commissions Ogun's First Bar Centre, Unveils Continuing Legal Education Hub
By Femi Mebude (Igboro Lawa) for Ijebu Today
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There was a palpable sense of history in the air as members of the legal profession, judicial officers, distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria, government officials and invited guests converged on the premises of the Ogun State High Court, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, to witness what many described as a defining moment for legal practice in Ogun State.
The occasion was the dedication and commissioning of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ijebu-Ode Branch Bar Centre—a landmark project widely acknowledged as the first purpose-built Bar Centre to be completed by any NBA Branch in Ogun State.
From the moment guests began arriving, the atmosphere reflected pride, fulfilment and optimism. Lawyers exchanged warm greetings, admired the imposing structure and reflected on the decades-long journey that eventually culminated in the realization of a dream pursued by successive generations of NBA leaders.
The impressive facility, donated by the Bamofin of Ijebuland, Chief Ade Adedeji, SAN, was formally commissioned by Chief Oluneye Bisola Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Ogun State Governor's Elders Advisory Council, the oldest legal practitioner in Ijebuland and former Chairman of the NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch.
The commissioning formed one of the major highlights of the 2026 NBA Ijebu-Ode Annual Law Week and attracted an array of eminent personalities, including Ogun State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Barrister Olusegun Olaotan; Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. A. M. Adebayo; retired Permanent Secretary, Otunba Tokunboh Owotomo; former NBA Chairman, Otunba Adesegun Adebayo; NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf; Vice Chairman, A. D. Sosanwo; Chairman-elect, G. T. Adeiye; members of the outgoing and incoming executive committees; and numerous legal practitioners.
The newly commissioned Bar Centre boasts a modern multi-purpose hall, executive offices, a two-storey secretariat, a 20-seat boardroom, reception area, business centre, lawyers' lounge, changing room and a well-equipped law library. A separate building housing a cafeteria, bookshop and store is also nearing completion, with its construction fully funded by the Branch Chairman, Professor Yusuf.
For many lawyers present, the event represented much more than the unveiling of bricks and mortar. It symbolised the fulfilment of a vision nurtured for more than two decades.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the project, NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf, explained that the Bar Centre represents far more than a completed building.
According to him, it is the culmination of a collective aspiration to provide the Branch with a permanent institutional home capable of advancing legal practice, promoting professional excellence and strengthening the administration of justice.
He noted that the facility will serve as the operational hub of the Branch, providing a conducive environment for meetings, legal research, continuing professional development, advocacy programmes, mentorship and interaction among members of the Bar. He added that the Centre would significantly enhance the Branch's capacity to organise seminars, conferences and other professional activities aimed at improving legal knowledge, service delivery and institutional development.
Professor Yusuf further explained that the 2026 Annual Law Week was deliberately designed not merely as an annual gathering of lawyers but as a platform for critical reflection on contemporary legal issues, judicial reforms, ethics, professional responsibility and access to justice. He stressed that the Branch remains committed to equipping its members with the knowledge, skills and professional competence required to meet the evolving demands of legal practice while contributing meaningfully to national development and the rule of law.
He also reaffirmed the Branch's commitment to expanding pro bono legal services for indigent and vulnerable members of society, emphasizing that access to justice should never be determined by financial circumstances. According to him, the Branch will continue to strengthen public legal education, encourage community engagement and provide free legal assistance where necessary as part of its social responsibility.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Ade Adedeji, SAN, described the project as only the first step toward a greater mission of building future generations of outstanding legal professionals.
He explained that the Bar Centre was conceived as a professional workstation where young lawyers would receive mentorship, practical exposure and continuous training to prepare them for successful careers at the Bar and on the Bench.
Chief Adedeji further announced that the Branch would establish a Continuing Legal Education Centre within the facility to provide regular seminars, conferences and professional development programmes in line with the evolving needs of the legal profession and the provisions of the new Legal Practitioners Act.
His announcement drew enthusiastic applause from members of the Bar, many of whom regarded the initiative as a significant investment in the future of legal practice in Ijebuland.
Recalling how he became involved in the project, the donor humorously narrated that Professor Fassy Yusuf secured his commitment before revealing the enormous responsibility attached to it.
His light-hearted recollection drew laughter across the hall and reflected the cordial relationship that ultimately produced one of the most significant institutional projects in the history of the Branch.
While appreciating Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for approving the construction of the Bar Centre, Chief Adedeji appealed to the State Government to complement the project by paving and tarring the access road leading to the facility, explaining that the alternative entrance was necessary to preserve security within the court premises.
Commissioning the project, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo took the audience through the history of the Bar Centre initiative, recalling that every administration since his tenure as Branch Chairman in 1999 had made the project a priority but was unable to complete it.
He recounted how members of the Branch mobilised funds, secured approvals and commenced construction before Chief Ade Adedeji volunteered to demolish the existing foundation and rebuild the project entirely at his own expense.
Describing the completed facility as a lifelong gift to the legal profession, Chief Okuboyejo commended the donor for transforming a dream pursued by generations into an enduring legacy.
Professor Yusuf paid glowing tribute to Chief Ade Adedeji's uncommon generosity, noting that the donor undertook the project purely as an act of service to the legal profession without seeking personal reward or recognition.
The Branch Chairman also dedicated the commissioning ceremony to the memory of the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, recalling that the revered monarch had conferred the prestigious title of Bamofin of Ijebuland on Chief Adedeji shortly before his passing. He expressed confidence that the late monarch would have taken great pride in witnessing the successful completion of such a transformative project.
In what many attendees considered one of the defining moments of the ceremony, Ogun State Solicitor-General, Barrister Olusegun Olaotan, declared that the NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch had made legal history.
According to him, no other NBA Branch in Ogun State currently possesses a completed Bar Centre. While branches in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ota and Ilaro are still at various stages of development, he said Ijebu-Ode has emerged as the pace-setter.
He described the Bar Centre as a lasting institution that will promote mentorship, continuous learning, professional interaction and improved legal service delivery for generations to come.
The Head of Chambers, Adedeji & Owotomo Chambers, Bidemi Adenola Bello, SAN, urged members of the Branch to maximise the opportunities created by the facility while encouraging future leadership to preserve the Centre as a symbol of excellence.
Other senior members of the Branch equally described the completion of the Bar Centre as a defining achievement and an enduring legacy for future generations of lawyers. They expressed confidence that the facility would foster mentorship, intellectual exchange, professional collaboration and institutional continuity while further consolidating the reputation of the NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch as one of the leading branches of the Association in Nigeria.
Several participants also commended the uncommon generosity of Chief Ade Adedeji, SAN, observing that his contribution had transformed a vision nurtured over many years into an enduring institution that would continue to shape the development of the legal profession in Ijebuland and Ogun State for decades to come.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, NBA Ijebu-Ode Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee, A. D. Sosanwo, Esq., expressed profound appreciation to the donor, invited guests, members of the planning committee, and both the outgoing and incoming executive committees for their contributions to the successful event.
As the ceremony drew to a close, many participants lingered around the magnificent edifice, exchanging photographs, sharing memories and reflecting on the significance of the occasion.
For older members of the Bar, it was the fulfilment of a dream that had survived several administrations. For younger lawyers, it represented the beginning of new opportunities for mentorship, professional development and legal excellence.
With the planned establishment of the Continuing Legal Education Centre and the completion of the Bar Centre, the NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch has not only commissioned a modern administrative headquarters but has also laid a solid foundation for continuous learning, institutional growth, expanded access to justice, professional mentorship and the advancement of legal practice in Ijebuland and Ogun State.
The commissioning of the Bar Centre will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant milestones in the history of the NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch—an enduring legacy of vision, generosity, perseverance and commitment to the future of the legal profession.
