Agbakoba, Ojo, Etomi, three others to receive Gavel Lifetime Achievement Awards

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 contributions to the legal profession, civil society and national development.

The award recipients are 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 are part of the Ernest Sesei Ikoli Foundation/Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards, an initiative established to celebrate Nigerians whose professional accomplishments and public service have contributed significantly to society.

All six awardees have formally accepted the honours, with Agbakoba expressing appreciation for the recognition of his contributions to human rights and civil liberties.

In a letter dated September 9, 2026, the former NBA president 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.

Agbakoba also acknowledged the contributions of colleagues, mentors, family members, friends and organisations that had supported his work over the years.

He expressed 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 uphold the dignity and rights of all citizens.

Gavel International, an online news platform focused 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 essential 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 Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while the review was delivered by former NBA General Secretary, Mr Dele Adesina, SAN.

In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation sustained the series with a discussion on “Media Coverage of Virtual Court Proceedings: Prospects and Challenges.”

The session featured leading legal practitioners and public commentators, including Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Adesina; Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu; Mr Richard Akinnola; Dr Reuben Abati; and Mrs Shola Shoyele. 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 Adesina, a former NBA General Secretary and Life Bencher. Prominent corporate lawyer, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, chaired the event.

The 2025 edition examined “The Impact of National Security Policies on Vulnerable Communities: A Human Rights Perspective,” with renowned legal practitioner Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, delivering the lecture.

The November 17 event is expected to attract leading figures from the legal profession, media, public service and other sectors for discussions on the administration of justice and recognition of distinguished service to the nation.