Adesina Ogunlana, former lawyer to convicted actor Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, is dead.
Mr Ogunlana, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, died on Tuesday.
He celebrated his 60th birthday at the branch secretariat on Saturday, July 27.
His death was confirmed in a statement signed by incumbent NBA, Ikeja Branch secretary Issa Adedokun made available to QEDNG on Wednesday.
The statement read: “The Executive Committee regrets to announce the sudden passage of our beloved Leader, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq. (Past Chairman (2016 – 2018). who passed on yesterday the 6th of AUGUST 2024
“We are deeply saddened by this transition but comforted by the fact that, our dear Leader lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by all.
“His contribution to our Branch in particular, the legal profession and the entire country in general will forever remain indelible.
“Burial arrangements will be announced upon confirmation from his immediate family.
“As we condole with his family, kindly remember them in prayers at this critical time.”
Popularly known as Serubawon, Ogunlana represented Baba Ijesha after the latter was arrested in 2021 for sexually assaulting a minor.
Using his position as chairperson of the Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA), Ogunlana said he took up the actor’s case pro bono as service to humanity and kicked against the campaign by some female celebrities against bail for the accused.
Baba Ijesha’s family, however, tagged Ogunlana a self-paraded lawyer and appointed Kayode Olabiran and Jane Ogunbiyi as the actor’s legal representatives.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court found Baba Ijesha guilty of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor and sentenced him to five years imprisonment on July 14, 2022.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2019 arraigned Adesina Ogunlana and two other former members of Ikeja NBA exco for allegedly stealing the association’s money.
