Early Legal Career, 1948-1963
In the defense of a lawsuit initiated against him in 1948, he found himself actually researching and providing detailed instructions to his defense attorney (lawyer) to fight the case in court. When the case was finally decided in his favor, he was so excited about the outcome that he decided to change career and enter the legal profession. He therefore applied and gained admission into the famous London School of Economics (LSE) to study law. He departed from the shores of Nigeria in December 1949 on board an ocean liner sailing along the westbound coast of Africa to the UK. He took and passed the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) in June 1952. He passed the English Bar exams, and almost immediately was invited to the Bar association (Inner Temple). He was in fact the first Ijesha man called to the English Bar.
Returning to Nigeria just before Christmas in 1952, he established his first law practice in Ekotedo Road, an old historic business entertainment district in Ibadan, the then largest city in West Africa.
His legal practice was most distinguished by the high caliber lawyers who were associated with and started with his law firm. The long list included Chief Olu Ayoola, Chief ‘Tunji Ogunbiyi, Chief Bamidele Aiku (SAN), Mr. Justice Kayode Eso, a most notable judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, as well as his own nephew, Justice Abayomi Olowofoyeku.
Read more about this topic: Babatunji Olowofoyeku
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