A prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician, Olatunji Braithwaite is dead.
He died at his St. Nicholas hospital in the early hours of Monday. He passed on at the age of 82.
Profile of the late Tunji Braithwaite
Tunji BraithwaiteTunji Braithwaite was born in 1933, the youngest son of eight children. He was educated at the prestigious C.M.S Grammar School, entering the school’s Preparatory Section in 1946 and completing his education there in 1953. He proceeded to sit for his A Levels at the London University at Kennington College in 1955 and enrolled in 1957/58 as a Law student at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn that same year and graduated as a barrister in 1960.
He married his childhood sweetheart; Grace S. Falade in 1956 while they were undergraduates. They have 5 children and many grandchildren.
Professional Life
Tunji Braithwaite going to courtTunji Braithwaite was educated at the prestigious C.M.S Grammar School, entering the school’s Preparatory Section in 1946 and completing his education there in 1953. He proceeded to sit for his A Levels at the London University at Kennington College in 1955 and enrolled in 1957/58 as a Law student at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn that same year and graduated as a barrister in 1960.
In February 1961, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn and thereafter signed the Rolls of Barristers at the High Court of Justice, Strand, London before returning to Nigeria. His set at the call to the Bar included the late Ligali Ayorinde, the late Mrs. Omotosho (nee Sonola-Soyinka) and Fola Sasegbon among others. In March 1961, he was enrolled as a Barrister and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Professional Career
Tunji Braithwaite has been lawyer and legal advisor to many organisations including trade unions and international companies. Before he diverted his attention to the socio-political malaises plaguing Nigeria, he held the legal retainers of over 20 national and international corporate organisations and foreign missions and embassies in Nigeria. These included Swiss Airline (he got their landing rights increased to 3 during the period 1968-74); BASF; Hoechst; Witt Busch and Co; Universal Co. (Nig) Ltd; The Oro Development Company; Schroeder Electronics; and Julius Berger (he registered the company in Nigeria when they first arrived).
Notable Cases and Trials
State vs Fashoyin
This was one of the most scandalous cases of its day. Fashoyin was prosecuted by the DPP in the High Court, Lagos (not a State Court at the time) by no fewer than 4 judges in different courts. Each set of the case had different counts and different witnesses. Tunji Braithwaite successfully defended Fashoyin in every one of the trials.
State vs Obafemi Awolowo & ORS
Tunji Braithwaite was one of the lawyers who defended Chief Awolowo in the celebrated Treasonable Felony trial of 1962/63.
State vs Eyo
He was lawyer to Chief Eyo, a political leader in the old Calabar Province.
State vs Olabisi Ajala
This case brought Braithwaite once more into collision with the prevailing military junta. Despite intimidation by members of the junta their acolytes, Braithwaite remained firm in his determination to defend Ajala and once again triumphed in the courts.
Chief Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti vs AG Federation of Nigeria & Chief of Army Staff and ORS
In February 1977, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti instructed Tunji Braithwaite to represent the family and get Beko and Fela out of detention as well as take legal steps to redress the barbaric acts of the Obasanjo-led military junta. He fought the case through the High Court to the Supreme Court, leading a few other courageous and well-known lawyers. These were Mr. Alao Aka-Bashorun, Dr. Olu Onogoruwa, Oba Ayodele Kale, Mr. Tunde Sanu and Mr. Femi Delumo. This case was significant in entrenching the fundamental rights law enjoyed by Nigerians presently.
The Braithwaite Family
Tunji Braithwaite entertaining childrenThe Braithwaite family has contributed significantly to the socio-political, spiritual and economic development of Nigeria and Africa; starting as far back as the 1880s when Reverend I. Braithwaite led the first Anglican Missionary Expedition that opened up the Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1894, he built the first church in Epe, St. Michael’s, having accumulated a large congregation. St.Michael’s Epe is still in existence today and has been joined by a second Anglican church – the Reverend Braithwaite Memorial Anglican Church, Papa Epe.
Tunji’s elder brother, the late T.A. Braithwaite was a giant in the African insurance industry and was responsible for much of the development of that sector in Africa as a whole and certainly within the Nigerian economy. He is remembered for his significant impact in the development and creation of a vibrant economy.
The younger members of the Braithwaite family continue to be relevant to their community by playing significant roles in the various sectors of the economic and socio-political systems of the country.
