By Charles Adingupu
The news of his demise would not be a shock to most Nigerians because within the realm of African cosmology, and even on the fringes of the Christian belief, 80 years and above is truly not a bad time to die. So it was for the Owu Prince, who slept on last Saturday and never woke up to the usual cheers and exchange of pleasantries to his family members.
The early morning of Sunday, April 9, 2023t he sad news of the death of Prince Bola Ajibola, the international Jurist has hit the media wave like a bug. The lawyer who died at the ripe age of 89, was known for his remarkable input in the legal profession. Indeed, he left an indelible footprint in the sand of times.
Though, family sources said the renowned Jurist died of an undisclosed illness. But his passing on would not be unconnected to an affront of old age. Prince Bola Ajibola as his fondly called, died seven years after his beloved wife, Olufumilayo Janet Abeni passed on to eternal glory on the 8th June, 2016 in a London Hospital.
EARLY LIFE
Prince Bola Ajibola was born in March 1934 into the royal family of Oba Abdul Salam Ajibola Gbadela 11 who was the traditional ruler of Owu between 1947 to 1972. He cut his education tooth at the Owu Baptist Day School and the Basptist High School in Abeokuta, present day Ogun state in South West Nigeria.
Having distinguished himself in his academic pursuit, the young Prince Bola in 1959 proceeded to the prestigious Holborn College of Law, University of London. In 1962, the young Prince was already a proud recipient of a bachelor’s degree in Law. He was called to the English Bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in 1962.
DISTINGUISHED LAW CAREER
Prince Bola Ajibola returned to Nigeria upon graduation in the United Kingdom, specializing in International Law and Arbitration.
He rose through the rank of the noble profession to the pinnacle of the Temple of Justice. He was Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Nigeria from 1985 to 1991. Consequent upon his outstanding performance in judicial matters, Prince Ajibola became a Judge of the International Court of Justice between 1991 to 1994.
Prior to his appointment at the Inter’l Court, Prince Ajibola was President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) between 1984 to 1985. He was also one of the Commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, organized through the Permanent Court Arbitration. He served under different Presidents in Nigeria including President Ibrahim Babangida.
He would be greatly missed by family members, friends, colleagues, Nigeria and the world at large. Head or tail, Prince Bola Ajibola would forever remain an authoritative reputed global Jurists.
