Former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, has paid tribute to the late Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, describing him as one of the outstanding figures whose integrity, knowledge and service helped shape Nigeria’s legal profession.
Ayorinde, who is also Chairman of the Board of Partners at BA Law LLP, described Kasunmu’s death at the age of 92 as a major loss to the legal community, recalling the influence the late professor and other senior lawyers had on the profession during his early years at the Inner Bar.
Reflecting on his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2005, Ayorinde remembered the distinguished lawyers who provided leadership within the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) at the time. Among them were the late Bankole Oki, SAN, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, SAN, Kehinde Sofola, SAN, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, Chief Okpoko, SAN, Chief G.O.K. Ajayi, SAN, Alhaji A.G.F. AbdulRazaq, SAN, and Debo Akande, SAN.
According to Ayorinde, Kasunmu stood alongside these respected legal minds as a man of exceptional character and learning. He said being in the company of such personalities offered younger members of the profession an opportunity to learn from their understanding of law and their views on national affairs.
He recalled the sense of privilege that came with listening to the senior lawyers discuss professional and national issues, noting that members of the Bar regarded it as an honour to be invited to contribute to conversations led by such distinguished figures.
Beyond his courtroom career, Ayorinde highlighted Kasunmu’s contributions to legal education, scholarship and public service. He described the deceased as a lawyer whose influence extended beyond legal practice and contributed significantly to the development of the profession and the training of future generations.
Kasunmu was born on May 23, 1934, in Lagos to parents from Ilesa, Osun State. He attended Baptist Academy in Lagos before proceeding to University College London, where he obtained Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964.
After joining the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, as one of its pioneer lecturers, Kasunmu moved to the University of Lagos in 1971. He later became a Professor of Law and served as Dean of the Faculty of Law between 1973 and 1975, playing a role in the growth of legal education at the institution.
In 1975, he entered public service as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, a position he held for three years. He was subsequently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on January 25, 1978, becoming one of the earliest members of the Nigerian Inner Bar.
Kasunmu also established himself as a respected legal scholar, co-authoring influential legal books and publishing articles on several areas of law. His professional career further saw him represent major Nigerian and foreign clients before courts and arbitration panels in Nigeria and other jurisdictions.
Ayorinde extended his condolences to Kasunmu’s wife, children and the entire family, describing the late professor as a devoted family man. He said the values he lived by were reflected in his children and expressed hope that his contributions to law, academia and public service would continue to be remembered.