Akinola Aguda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Inaugural Chief Justice of Botswana
- Nigerian Jurist
Akinola Aguda | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1923 Akure, Southern Region, British Nigeria |
| Died | 5 September 2001 (aged 77–78) |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Human rights, social justice |
| Parents |
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| Awards | OFR |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Obafemi Awolowo University University of Lagos |
Akinola Aguda (1923 – 5 September 2001) was a Yoruba Nigerian jurist[1] and a Chief Justice of Botswana.[2] Prior to becoming Chief Justice, he was a lawyer and a High Court judge in Nigeria's Western Region. He was the first indigenous African to head the position of Chief Justice in Botswana.
Throughout his legal career, he was known as a cerebral jurist and lawyer, who embraced radicalism especially during period of military rule in Nigeria. It is believed this may have resulted in his exclusion as a member of the supreme court of Nigeria.[3]
Justice Aguda was born in Akure, Nigeria, to the family of Elijah Ojo Aguda and Deborah Fasu, a prominent Anglican couple in Akure. His father, Elijah Aguda was originally from the town of Ilara-Mokin, at that time, a neighboring village to Akure, and was born to a family of herbalists and traditional healers. Elijah was the son of Olokunloye, the Sasere of Ilara-Mokin, whose mother was a worshipper of Olokun. Olokunloye's father, Fadulu was also the Sasere. Through his great-grandfather Fadulu, Justice Aguda was a descendant of Ajiperi Igodo, the Alara, or king, of Ilara-Mokin in the mid-18th century.
Aguda studied at St David's Primary School, Akure, for primary education and left for the Government College, Ibadan for secondary education.[4] Originally, he wanted to be a doctor or an engineer but his mind was not quite into chemistry, a crucial subject necessary to pass medical school. He left medical school after the first year and tried teaching but on the advice of Obafemi Awolowo, he changed his mind and decided to enrol in a Law school. He studied Law at the University of London, and was called to the bar in 1952.
