VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION HELD IN HONOUR OF LATE JUSTICE AFOLABI AREMU ADENIRAN.

A valedictory court session was held in honour of the late retired Acting Chief Judge of Oyo State High Court, Justice Afoabi Aremu Adeniran, on Thursday , September 18, 2025. The session commenced with the recitation of the national and state anthems, after which the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice I. S. Yerima, welcomed all attendees. Present at the occasion were retired judges, serving judges, magistrates, chairmen of the NBA from Oyo, Ogbomosho, and Saki branches, representatives of the Body of Senior Advocates, as well as members of the late judge’s family.

The Chief Judge noted that Justice Afolabi Adeniran was born on August 14, 1942, and passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 83. He recalled that the late jurist was born into the family of late Pa Joseph Alade Adeniran and late Mama Aibinuomo Maria Adika Adeniran in Ilorin. He explained that Justice Adeniran began his primary education at Baptist Day School, Ilorin (1944–1950), and proceeded to Ogbomosho Grammar School (1956–1961). After his secondary education, he won a scholarship to study law at the University of London.

It was reported that Justice Adeniran was called to the Bar of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London, on July 18, 1967. He returned to Nigeria two years later and attended the Nigerian Law School during the 1969/70 session, after which he was called to the Nigerian Bar on June 26, 1970. He engaged in active legal practice until November 2, 1992, when he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State. He eventually rose to become Acting Chief Judge and later Chief Judge of the state before retiring voluntarily on August 14, 2007, upon attaining the statutory retirement age. His service was described as marked by diligence, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

Justice Yerima observed that until his passing, Justice Adeniran was the President of Ogbomosho Parapo Worldwide. He was described as a pillar of Oyo State and the Ogbomosho community, a beacon of hope, and a respected jurist whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations. He was said to have been a dedicated public servant, a role model to his colleagues, a man of punctuality, conviction, and fairness, and he was survived by his siblings, wives, children, and grandchildren.

The Chairman of NBA Ibadan referred to passages from the Bible, the Qur’an, and a Yoruba adage, stressing that all human beings must die and face judgment. He urged everyone to live as though death could come at any time and to discharge their responsibilities with fairness and caution. He described Justice Adeniran’s career as robust and commended his quality of judgment, adding that the quality of judges determines the quality of the learning experience for lawyers.

It was also recalled that in one of his past interviews, Justice Adeniran had explained that his interest in the legal profession was developed naturally, further influenced by the appearance and manner in which lawyers carried themselves. According to Barrister Ibrahim, lawyers were known for their smart dress sense, and he encouraged colleagues to emulate that tradition.

The Chairman of NBA Ogbomosho highlighted Justice Adeniran’s achievements, noting that magistrates were upgraded under his leadership, provided with cars and personal drivers, and adequately represented. Similarly, the Chairman of NBA Saki described him as supportive, a mentor, and more than just a judge, saying that his judgments were marked by truth.

A representative of the Body of Senior Advocates described Justice Adeniran as patient, humorous, and brilliant. He was said to have encouraged others to perform their duties diligently, always reminding them of the inevitability of death.

On behalf of the family, Adeniyi Adeniran thanked everyone for attending the valedictory court session in honour of his father, expressing that they wished the late jurist were alive to witness the celebration himself.