By Awa Kalu

The Webster’s Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the English Language, Deluxe Edition, defines the word ‘march’ as ‘the act of marching’; ‘a steady regular gait used in marching’; ‘steady progress’. To march could also mean ‘to walk with an even firm stride’.

With these it is safe to suggest that the Nigerian Law School Class of ’78 is indeed marching on. This conclusion seems inescapable in the light of two significant events that coincided within the past quarter to further cement the fortunes of the class of ’78 in the annals of lawyering in Nigeria.

Two distinguished members of that class took individual strides that are worthy of major chest beating. Hon. Justice Suleiman Galadima, formerly of the Court of Appeal, was elevated to the apex court- the Supreme Court and has thus joined another classmate, Hon. Justice W.S.C. Onnoghen, J.S.C. in the Court. At another level, Hon. Justice ‘Seinde Kumuyi was translated to the position of Honourable, the Chief Judge of Ondo State.

For the avoidance of doubt the class of ’78 now boasts of two Justices of the Supreme Court and ten Justices of the Court of Appeal. Two members of the class are Deputy Governors in Adamawa and Delta states respectively. At the gubernatorial level, two other prominent members of the class_ Colonel Bello Fadile (rtd.) and Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, erstwhile Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice are slugging it out for the bed in Government House in Kogi State.

By way of further recalling what makes the class tick, let it be known that several judicial positions in the Federal and State High Courts are occupied by members of the class. The Honourable O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, JP, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, Olisa Agbakogba Esq., SAN, and Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, were within the past decade presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and from the grapevine another member of the class is warming up to succeed the incumbent President Chief J.B. Daudu, SAN, when he serves out his tenure. Just in case a reminder is needed, the class has the highest number of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, over and above any other class since the inauguration of that rank.

The class boasts several senators and until recently, another member was Vice_Chancellor of a major university. Presently, there are members of the class sitting on the boards of several banks and Federal and State Government Parastatals and Agencies.

A good number of this class served at State level as Attorneys-General and Commissioners of Justice. Finally, quite a handful of members are at the moment serving as members of the Body of Benchers. For these blessings from God and in appreciation of His grace, members of the class have as often as the occasion warrants, found a date to celebrate their success and conviviality.

Accordingly, a fortnight ago, the class gathered in the serene environment provided by the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, to hold a reunion party whose primary purpose was to honour Hon. Justice Suleiman Galadima, J.S.C., who was very recently elevated to the Supreme Court (as mentioned earlier). On hand to grace this occasion were Justice Galadima’s colleagues-Hon. Justices Fabiyi and Muntaka-Coomassie. Hon. Justice Rhodes-Vivour, J.S.C., who was sworn in on the bench of the Supreme Court on the same day as Hon. Justice Galadima was also present.

His Lordship, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, doyen of the class of ’78 was on hand to moderate the activities of the evening. Hon. Justices Amina Augie, Paul Galinje and Helen Ogunwumiju, all of the Court of Appeal were present. Senators Victor Ndoma_Egba and ‘Sola Akinyede, both of whom are ranking members of the Senate were joyfully present. Other members of the class who turned up for the reunion are Olisa Agbakogba Esq., SAN; Dr. T.C. Osanakpo, SAN; Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN (first member of the class to wear the silk gown); ‘Seinde Kumuyi, CJ; HRH effervescent and bubbly Serena Dokubo-Spiff, (King of the ancient kingdom of Brass); and H.E. Bala Ngilari, Deputy Governor of Adamawa State. Kola Awodein Esq., SAN; Chief (Mrs.) Laeticia Akinlami ( DG, Legal Aid Council); Ken Mozie Esq., Yahaya Mahmud Esq.; Mrs. Bimbo Coker (nee Ibironke); and Mrs. Dupe Atoki of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights were on hand to add colour to the occasion. George Etomi eminent and distinguished past Chairman of the NBA’s section on Business Law and close friend to several members of the class was present.

The memorable evening was not only one of eating and drinking but also consisted of jaw_jawing and dignified dancing. There were reminiscences of the time spent at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, the only campus of the Law School in 1978. You do not need to imagine what the members of this class did in that year because all the men and women of that class were at that time boys and girls. According to the Scriptures when you are a boy/girl, you act as a boy or girl as the case may be. But when you are a woman/man you act as a woman or man as the case may be.

This is a roundabout way of saying that the boys and girls of that year are now trailblazers. Guided by that consideration, all those who spoke reminded His Lordship that the weight thrust upon his shoulders by his elevation to an apex court was enormous. His Lordship was enjoined to sensitize his brethren to endeavour to be proactive in their judgments especially in political matters in such a way as to help to sanitize the electoral process.

In his response, His Lordship said that he has always been proud to be a member of the class of ’78. He advised members to honour the leadership positions God has endowed individually and collectively on the class, and to be reminded that integrity as a virtue ought not to be compromised in all undertakings. Members of the class ought to be their brothers’ keepers and in that light, to watch over one another with eagle eyes so that any members found wanting may be offered wise counsel and any exemplary conduct would be applauded. His Lordship assured members that having spent time on a multi-bench court in the Court of Appeal, he understood the nuances of collegiate judicial behaviour.

His Lordship further affirmed that he would immerse himself in the endeavour to sustain the Supreme Court as the last hope of all and sundry. Finally, he assured all members that he would remain stoutly independent in thought and in deed. After his speech, members took to the dance floor and demonstrated that their joints are far from rusty. No old bones yet! HRH, Serena Dokubo_Spiff took the microphone and delivered very melodious tunes and indeed demonstrated that apart from one’s chosen profession there are innate talents that could be harnessed at any time.

What is left is to note that Hon. Justice Galadima has clearly written his name in gold in the development of various areas of the law. The law reports are littered with his lead and concurring judgments on the matters he participated in at the Court of Appeal level. I.F.C. v D.S.N.L. Offshore Ltd. [2008] 9NWLR (Pt 1093) 606; NNPC v BCE Consulting Engineers [2004] 2NWLR (Pt 858) 484 concern the power of a court to set aside the registration of a foreign judgment and the hallowed principles on stay of execution respectively.

My feeble research has uncovered His Lordship’s imprimatur in several areas of the law. He sat in several divisions of the Court of Appeal and was for several years, the presiding justice at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. His Lordship’s recent elevation is eloquent proof that the class of ’78 will continue its forward march and this should serve as a tonic to other members of the class never to waiver in enlarging their horizons. In the words of Josef Stalin, former Soviet leader and strongman ‘to slacken the tempo…would mean falling behind. And those who fall behind, get beaten…’ May this class never be beaten.