CJN, legal giants pour encomium on Yusuf Ali at book launch

By Olalekan Awojodu

Abuja

The Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Wednesday described Yusuf Ali, SAN as an exemplary lawyer and intellectual power house with mark of diligence and excellence.

The CJN heaped the praises in Abuja at a book launch cum festschrift in honour of the celebrant christened: Two decades of Forensic Advocacy at the inner bar.

The book foreword was written by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Retired Justice Walter Onnoghen .

Represented by Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, a Judge of the Supreme Court, the CJN described Ali as a noble gentleman who has shown depth of knowledge, creativity, erudition and research in his briefs.

The title of the book according to him was not only apt but will be an indispensable material to students of law, litigants and law enthusiasts, legal profession and humanity.

“As Judges when you read some briefs, you would be like ‘Oh my God’ because you know the amount of research you have to do to see your way through towards ensuring justice delivery. Ali has shaped jurisprudence in Nigeria in so many areas particularly fundamental human rights.

 “So, the quality of briefs that has over the time emanated from his chamber has in no small measure espoused the law. I always admire the level of work that goes into what they do in that chamber,” the CJN said.

While congratulating him on the attainment of twenty years in the bar, he further charged him to continue to expand the frontier of jurisprudence in the country.

In a brief remark, the special guest of honour at the occasion, Olumide Akpata described the moment as the NBA’s proud moment and that the honoree is one of their very best in the profession.

According to him, Ali’s enviable and impactful life in the legal parlance has challenged all of us on the need to play our own parts in nation building, adding that a lawyer is a man for all seasons.

The book the NBA helmsman reiterated is going to deepen the legal jurisprudence, saying the honoree is not new to contributing to legal work, law journals, practice and procedure.

“In the life of every great lawyer, there is this compelling need to contribute useful materials of this nature to inspire the younger generation of lawyers,” Akpata added.

Earlier in a welcome address, one of the editors of the book, Professor Wahab Egbewole told the guests that the idea of the book was conceived four years ago, saying it was informed by

According to Egbewole 55 cases were examined and developed into more than 300 pages in Volume 1 and 2 in which the judgments were reproduced the way they were delivered by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Responding, Malam Ali who attributed the feat so far recorded by him in the profession to the Almighty Allah, thanked everyone who rallied round him to make the book a reality.

It was a moment of honour and encomiums greeted with a standing ovation when the citation of Ali, the honouree was reeled out by one of his associates, Mr. Kehinde Kolawole Eleja, SAN at the occasion.

The trio of Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Dr. Abd’Rauf Wale Babalakin and Dr. Awa Ibrahim were the book presenters at the occasion.