Oyetibo, Wills, Filani also listed
Gavel International will honour six prominent Nigerian lawyers with Lifetime Achievement Awards at its Annual Lecture and Awards scheduled for November 17, 2026, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the legal profession, Civil Society and national development.
The awardees include a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and human rights advocate, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; constitutional lawyer, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN; and former pioneer Chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law, Mr George Etomi.
Others are property and housing expert, Mr Kayode Filani, and environmental rights lawyer, Mr Inuro Wills.
The awards form part of the Ernest Sesei Ikoli Foundation/Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate distinguished Nigerians whose professional achievements and public service have made significant contributions to society.
Gavel International, an online news platform with a special focus on law, the administration of justice and the rule of law, maintains that an effective justice system and respect for the rule of law are indispensable to national development.
The platform began its annual lecture series in 2015 with the public presentation of For the Love of Their Nation: Lawyers as Agents of Change in Nigeria, authored by its publisher, Mr Mustapha Adekunle Ogunsakin.
The book was presented by former Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while the review was delivered by a former General Secretary of the NBA, Mr Dele Adesina, SAN.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gavel International sustained the lecture series in 2020 with a discussion on Media Coverage of Virtual Court Proceedings: Prospects and Challenges.
Participants included leading legal practitioners and public commentators such as Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Mr Dele Adesina, SAN; Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu; Mr Richard Akinnola; Dr Reuben Abati; and Mrs Shola Shoyele. Prof Osinbajo also delivered the keynote address.
In 2024, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, delivered the keynote address at the annual lecture.
The main lecture, titled The Judiciary as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Media and Legal Perspectives, was delivered by Mr Dele Adesina, SAN, a former NBA General Secretary and Life Bencher. The event was chaired by prominent corporate lawyer, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, MFR.
The 2025 lecture focused on The Impact of National Security Policies on Vulnerable Communities: A Human Rights Perspective. It was delivered by renowned legal practitioner, Prof Yusuf Ali, SAN.
Meanwhile, all the awardees have formally accepted the honours.
In a letter dated September 9, 2026, Dr Agbakoba expressed gratitude to Gavel International for recognising his contributions to human rights and civil liberties.
He described the award as both a personal honour and a renewed responsibility to advance justice and protect fundamental rights.
“I accept this award not merely as a personal achievement, but as a renewed responsibility to continue supporting the cause of justice and human rights,” he said.
The former NBA president also acknowledged the contributions of colleagues, mentors, family members, friends and organisations whose support, he said, had helped shape his work and achievements.
He expressed particular appreciation to the organisers for considering his contributions worthy of recognition, adding that he hoped his journey would inspire younger Nigerians to defend justice, protect vulnerable people and promote the dignity and rights of every human being.
The November 17 event is expected to bring together leading figures from the legal profession, media, public service and other sectors to reflect on the administration of justice and celebrate distinguished service to the nation.
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