The Nigerian legal and civic communities were struck by sorrow on Wednesday with the news of the passing of prominent activist-lawyer Adesina Ogunlana, known as Serubawon.
Ogunlana, a staunch defender of the oppressed and vocal critic of anti-people policies, passed away just days after celebrating his 60th birthday with a lecture in late July.
Ogunlana’s career was marked by his active participation in major protests, including Occupy Nigeria in 2012, the #EndSARS movement in 2020, and the recent #cs. He was also the legal representative for #EndSARS petitioners at the Lekki Tollgate inquiry.
As chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch from 2016 to 2018, Ogunlana led protests against the Lagos State Government’s 2018 Land Use Charge hike.
Akorede Lawal, spokesperson for the Nigerian Bar Association, expressed deep sorrow over Ogunlana’s passing, noting his commitment to justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
Social media has been flooded with tributes from friends and associates, celebrating Ogunlana’s fearless spirit and his dedication to the civic space.
His passing is seen as a significant loss to both the legal profession and the broader fight for justice in Nigeria.
