The Legacy of Our Class

The Nigerian Law School Class of 1986 represents a pivotal generation in Nigeria's legal history. Graduating during a period of significant national transition, this class has produced some of the most brilliant legal minds, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), esteemed judges, and political leaders. The Nigerian Law School Centennial Class 1986 association is a non profit and non-political organization, in order to promote the interests of the SET, uphold and assist in the realization of the aims and objectives of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal Profession. The name of the association is the incorporated trustees of the Nigerian Law School Centennial Class 1986 Association and is referred to as "Class of 86" or "the Association" as slated in the constitution of the NLS class of 1986.

The Legal profession in Nigeria made history when it clocked one hundred years in 1986. In that same year, the 1985/1986 set of students of the Nigerian Law School (Class of '86) were called to the Nigerian Bar. Class '86 thus became the "Centennial Class." As members of Class '86 continued to rise and occupy exalted positions both within and outside the Legal profession, the idea of a reunion gradually became irresistibly embraced by all members. Quickly, members began to meet formally as from 1999 during the Annual General Conferences of the Nigerian Bar Association. The meetings which were hosted by members of the Class, led to the adoption of a constitution and election of executive to run the affairs of the class. Since 1999, the Annual General meeting of the class has been held yearly except for 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The members of the first Executive Committee of the class were:

• Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN - Chairman
• Mr Roland Otaru - Secretary
• Chief Duro Adeleye - Treasurer

At the Kaduna meeting, in 2010, the members of the immediate past Executive Committee were elected; namely:

• K.T. Turaki, SAN, FCIArb(UK) - Chairman
• Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN - Secretary
• Mohammed Monguno - Asst Secretary
• Ezinwa Okoroafor - Treasurer
• Sylvia Shinaba, SAN - Financial Secretary (deceased)
• Marcel Oru - Public Relations Officer
• Nelson Nworgu - Auditor
• Hon. Babatunde Ogala - Ex Officio Member

At the Lagos meeting held on 22nd August, 2017, a new Executive Committee was elected for the Class; namely:

• Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, FCIArb(UK) - Chairman
• Marcelluous Oru, SAN, FCIArb(UK) - Secretary
• Sola Oluwanuga, Mni, C.Arb - Asst. Secretary
• Yetunde Akinloye - Treasurer
• Tokunbo Adenike Ajayi - Financial Secretary
• Hon. Babatunde Ogala - Public Relations Officer
• Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, FCIArb(UK) - Auditor
• Vincent Otiono, Esq - Social Welfare Officer

• To promote the best ideals of the legal profession of Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
• To support the Nigeria Bar Association in its aims and objectives.
• To promote the individual and collective interests of members of class '86.
• To secure endowment funds for the interests and benefits of members of class '86.
• To provide an avenue for networking and support activities among members.
• To assist the Nigerian Law School as and when the need arises.

We have members who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and in public service within and outside Nigeria in line with international best practice in their respective jurisdictions.

The Class can boast of at least 45 Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have attained the highest level of excellence in the practice of Law in Nigeria and one who is both a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queen's Counsel, in the U.K. Additionally, the class has produced 2 Honorables, Attorneys-General of the Federation M.K Aondoaka (SAN) and Mohammed Adoke Bello (SAN), CFR, who got appointed by dint of hardwork and integrity. More than 25 members of the class have also been appointed as Attorneys-General of states, both former and serving. Furthermore, more than any other class of the NLS, the class has the highest number of Judges of both States and Federal High Courts in Nigeria, with 11 Judges of the Court of Appeal and over 15 Judges of the various Customary/Sharia Courts of Appeal.

We have also produced several Heads of Courts amongst them are Hon. Justice Prof. Kanyip YP, President of National Industrial Court, who succeeded Hon. Justice Adejumo, also a member of the class, Hon. Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu, Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, one of the few female Heads of Court, Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, Chief Judge of Ekiti State amongst others. Also, the Class has produced the former Chief Justices of the Gambia and Botswana. To the glory of God, the class now boasts of a Justice of the Supreme Court: Hon. Justice Emmanuel A. Agim, who is the first and only member of the class to have attained this exalted position in the judiciary. Beyond them, we have James Ocholi (SAN), Hajiya Mohammed (Mama Taraba), and Lai Mohammed, who were also Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at one time or the other. Generals in the Armed Forces and Police, Senators, and Honourable members of the National Assembly, led by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege (SAN), are in all legislative houses.

The Class has in place a welfare package for families of deceased members, which include donations in cash/kind and personal visits to these families. A life Assurance policy is in the works for the welfare of the entire members of the Class. The arrangement has reached an advanced state with Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc and North Link Insurance Brokers Limited.

Furthermore, the Class organized a Silver Jubilee Award Night on 14th July 2012 @ Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja where it gave various awards to 209 deserving members who have attained honours in their various fields of endeavours in the following categories:

• Achievers Award for Pace-setters & Prime movers of the Class.
• Award of Excellence for Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
• Distinguished Service Award for Judges & Justices of the Class.
• Award for members of the Class who are leaders of organizations, parastatals, Commissioners, Directors of blue chip Companies.
• Cupid Award for members of the Class that married each other.
• Service Award for members of the Class who are State Directors, Company Secretaries, Past officers of Class '86, Permanent Secretaries etc.
• Silver Award for members of the Class who are Honourable members of the States' Houses of Assembly.
• Service Award for members of the Class who are Generals and Professors.
• Gold Service Award for members of the Class who are Senators or Honourable members of the House of Representatives.

Every member of the Class has a membership plaque and a membership pin. Members of the Class who are well placed in various offices and organisations assist other members from time to time. On 2nd May 2013 the Class hosted a special dinner/reception for two of its members who were appointed ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to wit: Erelu (Dr.) Olusola Agbeja Obada (Hon. Minister of State for Defence) and Alhaji Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN (Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs).

The Class has some of its members who are very senior lecturers at the Nigerian Law School and they are contributing in no small measure to the academic development of the Nigerian Law School. Apart from these, some members of the 86 Class have also delivered key lectures at the Nigerian Law School and at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

In demonstration of the love the Class has for the Nigerian Law School, the Class of '86, on the 14th of July 2012 at its Silver Jubilee Dinner donated a Brand New Toyota Hiace bus to the Nigerian Law School headquarters, Bwari Abuja. The bus was well branded with the inscription "The Nigerian Law School Bwari Abuja, Donated by NLS Class '86 (The Centennial Class)" and it was presented to its then Director-General Dr. Mamman Tahir.

At the AGM of the Class held on the 28th of August, 2012 it was resolved that the Class shall construct an ultra modern moot court hall at the NLS Headquarters at Bwari Abuja as a mark of gratitude to the Nigerian Law School for training members of the Class to become prominent members of the honourable and distinguished legal profession. The Ultra-Modern Moot Court project was conceptualized and commenced by the Immediate Past Chairman Hon. K.T. Turaki, SAN, FCIArb(UK) who officially made the announcement in 2013 at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Law School by the Council of Legal Education "The Law School at 50 legacy projects scheme".

The foundation stone for the Moot Court was laid in 2015 by one of our own, the then Pioneer President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, CON. The initial Bill of Quantities for the project was made to build one Moot Court. No sooner had the project started than the Nigerian Law School approached the Class to make it a twin moot court to meet the demands of the teeming law students. Thus the Bill of Quantities and the budget had to be adjusted.

When the Exco led by Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, FCIArb(UK), FCTI, FMIN, Ksc, came in 2017, it inherited this project and set up various fundraising committees to solicit for funds from members and others to complete the project. From 2017 to 2022 this Exco continued with the same commitment, drive and focus of its predecessors in office, sourcing for funds to deliver the project, when it had the first admin block and the setting out of the floor for the courts. Another administrative/judges' chambers conveniences and an equipment room were added. As they say, the rest is history.

Here we are to commission this audacious and sublime project to the glory of Almighty God and to widen the horizon of legal education. We thank all those who made financial contributions to bring this worthy and sublime project to fruition. The Nigerian Law School is very dear to the heart of members of the Centennial Class, because without the Law School, we will not be legal practitioners today. God has so blessed members of the Centennial Class that members of the Class are everywhere doing good by the grace of God. Without sounding immodest, the class boasts of 2 past Federal Attorneys-General, one Honourable Justice of the Supreme Court, 11 Justices of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, High Court and National Industrial Court Judges, past and serving Ministers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, legislators and others who have distinguished themselves in either legal practice, board rooms or other endeavours. To God be the glory.

Members of the class are ably represented in and out of Government, such as past State Governors, Deputy Governors, past and present Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, past Chief Justices of Gambia and Botswana, Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judges of High Courts of States, President of the National Industrial Court, Judges of High Courts, Customary/Sharia Courts of Appeal and National Industrial Court, Distinguished Senators, Honourable members of the House of Representatives, Secretary to State Government, Federal and States' Permanent Secretaries and Directors, Commissioners, Company Directors and Secretaries of blue chip Companies, members of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Heads of parastatals and other Federal and States' Agencies.

We have Professors of Law who have served or are serving as Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments and Lecturers in several Universities in and outside Nigeria. The Class also has a good list of former and serving Ministers in the Federal Executive Council of the FRN, Ambassadors, Commissioners in several State Executive Councils, members who are Chairmen of Federal Boards, and very successful businessmen and women.