An Osogbo-based legal luminary, who also doubles as Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Osogbo Branch, Barr. Maruf Adeniran has debunked any intrigues on his emergence as NBA boss, describing it as collective mandate of lawyers.
Adeniran, in this interview with our editor, Mike Adeyemi, Adeniran mentioned he became the Chairman through a transparent electoral process, saying his victory was made possible because his colleagues believed in his capacity to promote the status of the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo Branch.
The Iragbiji-born NBA Chairman however added that parts of his vision for the bar is to leave behind a more united, active and progressive bar where all lawyers would have sense of belonging.
Excerpt;
Tell us about yourself
Let me start by saying that I was born into a family that values discipline a lot, a family that values education and integrity. My early life was shaped by moral upbringing and a deep respect for hard work.
Growing up I learnt important things like standing for what is right, speaking up for the oppressed and contributing positively to the society hence that was how I got inspired to become a lawyer.
My parents are from Iragbiji in Osun State , though I was born and bred in Ilorin, Kwara State. Most of the time, people thought I am from Ilorin. I attended Ilorin Cosmopolitan Nursing and Primary School, Adewole, Ilorin. I went to Government Day Secondary School, Adeta.
While in the primary school, I was made the labour prefect. I had a close friend then named Mohammed Adelodun, a son of renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria. You can see where my inspiration to become a lawyer started from. He is also a lawyer today.
At Government Day Secondary School, Adeta, I was made the Senior Prefect. From there , I went to the University of Ilorin for my LLB. Virtually all my education trajectory was from Ilorin. I only left the shore of Ilorin for the Law School.
What led to your choice of law as a profession?
Yes, like is said earlier, right from my childhood time, I like to stood for people. I understand the importance of speaking up for people, defending people and helping the oppressed. It was through that act that I got my inspiration.
I had a grandfather who happens to be what Yoruba would call, “Bale,” a family head or elder forum. People do bring series of disputes to him for settlement. He would call us to sit down with him and listen. Often times, he would ask us what our opinion was, after settling matters with people. I think that was where I started picking my passion to become a lawyer. To God be the Glory, I am a lawyer today.
Share with us your first experience in court as a lawyer, any nervousness?
I had my National Youth Service in Delta State, Agbor in particular. I was attached to a law firm named Sir.D. O Ojogu & Co. My first court appearance is an experience I can never forget. I felt there was mixture of excitement and nervousness at the same time a deep sense of responsibility.
I said to myself that this is what I had aspired to do, and I am here standing before the court as a legal practitioner. I realized the weight of the oath taken and it was not just about speaking, it was about representing people and representing them well.
The feeling was mixture of excitement and nervousness. Thank God I stood before a judge who calmed me down and he didn’t shouted at me. He allowed me to present myself the way he thinks I can. The whole scenario happened in High Court , Agbor. Ever since then, each time my boss sent me to court, I feel excited with a sense of belonging even when following by boss. So from day one, I got my feet together.
Which of your many cases tasked you most?
Well, if I may say , a lawyer’s job is tasking and as a legal practitioner when you handle cases with diligence, you will say that almost every cases you handled are tasking.
What do I mean. I took my cases seriously and I would not say any case is simple. I don’t underated any case. I do it with sense of responsibility. I wouldn’t say there was a particular one. I handled all my cases with diligence and best of professionalism.
What informed your decision to join NBA politics?
I got myself into Nigerian Bar Association politics as far back 2019, when I was appointed Legal Adviser of NBA Osogbo branch. Then, there was an election under the chairmanship of Barr. AbdulRahman Okunade. The legal adviser position was vacant and they were sourcing for someone to fill the vacuum. I was called upon to take it and I felt being honoured, I accepted the position. That was where my NBA politics started.
At the expiration of that tenure in 2021, there was call by the people that I should vie for the position of secretary. I took it up as well. In 2025, I looked around and come into conclusion that it is time for me to contest the NBA Osogbo Chairman. I made consultations with people and they felt yes, I was ripe for the post. I contested for the election and I won.
Were there any intrigues to your emergence?
Like in most democratic contest , there were consultations just like I said earlier.. There were different opinions and healthy competition between the contestants. However , I will not describe my emergence as been driven by intrigues, rather by collective trust of the people.
Many colleagues believed in my capacity to unite the bar. They believed in my capacity to promote the status of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Osogbo and to move the Branch forward. I emerged through a transparent process and I remain grateful.
Are there any post election schemes?
There was none. My opponent is a well known person and we are brothers in the state. We did many things together. In fact, before the election came to an end, after seeing the scores, he had to call me to congratulate me and as I speak with you, he is the chairman of the Law Committee that I initiated. That shows we work hand in hand.
What are the challenges you met when you assumed office?
There are challenges just like it is peculiar to every association and parts of those challenges are low participation by members in the Branch activities. There is need to strengthen our relationship with the bench, the security agencies and the general demand for more responsive and impactful branch.
These are the challenges on ground that I had to work on. There were also institutional and financial constraints. But I believe all these will be solved.
What are your plans to rejig NBA Osogbo bar?
Well, what I am looking forward to is that I want to leave behind a more united, active and progressive Bar, where we will have all members having sense of belonging and a mind of participation. I am working towards a Bar where young lawyers are supported and where the Bar’s voice is respected in matters of justice and rule of law.
Most importantly I am leaving behind a strong structure, not just strong personalities but a strong Bar.
Are you not concerned about the welfare of your members?
We’re all looking towards the welfare of our members, most especially the young lawyers. We’re looking for a way of improving their lives and the issue of remuration and order thing that the national Secretariat has put in place. We’re looking for a way to implement it in our Branch.
On the Bar centre, I could remember during my time as legal adviser under the AbdulRahman Okunade-led administration, he laid foundation for the Bar centre and we called it Yusuf Ali Bar centre. I am looking forward on how this administration can complete the structure for our members.
What do you want to achieve from the Law Reform Committee you constituted?
Yes, the Law Reform Committee, what we intend to achieve, perhaps let me give you some examples. There are some calls from the members of public on the issue of agents. Their mattes has gotten to the neck of the people in a situation whereby a landlord will give out a rent for N200,000, only for the agents to inflate it to N500,000 total package. Some people are looking at a situation we can come in as a Branch in this aspect and other aspect.
Sequel to the renumeration order of the national Secretariat of NBA, we proposed a bill to the House of Assembly on how to legislate on implementation order and to amend Land Law Act of Osun State. The Law Reform committee will look into something new bills that has been proposed to ease the lives of people.
The committee is being charged to propose a bill to the House of Assembly on matter that deal, with law.
Law practice yesterday and today, are there any correlation?
Yes, law as a profession yesterday and today, is still the same, but rather there has been a progress. We have made a lot of progress today. In the past, there are some beliefs and allusion that lawyers are occultist. In fact, based on this notion, many parents deprived their children from becoming lawyer.
But today, people now understand the importance of a lawyer in the society. People believes today that an household without a lawyer is empty. So law as a profession today ,I will say we have made progress.
Is it legally right for a court to halt legitimate impeachment process against a Governor? The Rivers State example.
Impeachment process is a constitutional right and the role of the Chief Judge. We all know that no matter how bad a judgement is, it remain a judgement except it is set aside. When a judgement hasn’t been set aside by a superior court, it is still biding.
I wouldn’t know under what claim to which the people who run to court to restrain the judge from exercising it’s constitutional right.
Was there any day you regretted being a lawyer?
Honestly there has not been a day. I’m grateful to God with what I have achieved in this profession. I have my focus and I know where I am going. No regrets at all, rather I have full cause to thank Almighty Allah. I have no regret.