Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State described Ogunlana’s death as “shocking and a great loss to Lagos State.” In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu sympathized with Ogunlana’s family and the entire NBA, particularly the Ikeja Branch, over the loss of “the fearless and courageous lawyer.”
“Comrade Ogunlana, known as ‘Serubawon’ by his colleagues, lived a fulfilled life by making a positive impact in the lives of ordinary people during his lifetime,” Sanwo-Olu stated. The governor prayed for the repose of Ogunlana’s soul and for God to grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Ogunlana was renowned for his pro-people stance on national issues. His activism was seen during Occupy Nigeria in January 2012, the 2020 #EndSARS rallies, and the recent #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests. He also represented #EndSARS petitioners at the Lekki Tollgate probe panel in Lagos.
Adesina Ogunlana’s death occurred just days after friends and colleagues celebrated his 60th birthday with a lecture in late July. Reflecting on his legacy, a spokesman for the NBA, Akorede Lawal, said Ogunlana’s tenure as the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch from 2016 to 2018 witnessed “a renaissance of some sort within the Bar.” Ogunlana actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018.
“In this time, when citizens of this country look up to conscientious members of the legal profession for direction, the passage of Adesina Ogunlana is a monumental loss, as he was an activist in the exact sense of the word,” Lawal stated. “Not one to shy away from standing firmly on the side of the people, Mr. Ogunlana actively participated in the Nationwide Hunger Protest in Lagos last week.”
Friends and associates have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late legal icon, sharing memories of his legendary exploits and fighting spirit.
