By Adeola Kunle
The death of Professor Alfred Kasunmu, SAN, has elevated Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, to the position of Nigeria’s most senior living Senior Advocate of Nigeria, according to senior lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
Pinheiro made the assertion in a tribute published on Tuesday following the death of Kasunmu at the age of 92.
He explained that Kasunmu had been the most senior living SAN before his passing and, by virtue of his position, also served as the statutory vice-chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
“With his passing, that distinction and position now fall on Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, herself a towering figure of the Nigerian Bar,” Pinheiro said.
Pinheiro described the late legal luminary as a highly accomplished advocate and scholar whose contributions left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s legal profession.
He referred to Kasunmu as “a formidable and forensic advocate, a distinguished scholar, a former Attorney-General of Lagos State and a Professor of Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos successively.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Pinheiro said Kasunmu was widely respected within the legal community for his character and conduct.
“Beyond these titles and accomplishments, he was a lawyer’s lawyer and, above all, a gentleman through and through,” he said.
Reflecting on their encounters in court, Pinheiro recalled the late professor’s exceptional courtroom skills, noting that Kasunmu had an impressive ability to dismantle an opposing argument while remaining calm and composed.
Kasunmu’s standing as the most senior living SAN before his death, according to Pinheiro, was a reflection of his remarkable status and long-standing contribution to the Nigerian legal profession.
The late legal icon was also a member of the Baptist Academy Class of 1953 and served as a trustee of the Baptist Academy Old Students Association.
His death was announced by the Global President of the Baptist Academy Old Students Association, Olumide Ajomale, in a statement issued on behalf of the association’s National Executive Council.
Ajomale described Kasunmu as a major figure in law, scholarship and national development, highlighting his impact as a mentor, scholar and advocate.
The Baptist Academy Old Students Association also noted that Kasunmu was recognised last year with its Order of Excellence Award as one of 170 distinguished old students honoured during the school’s 170th Founders Day celebration.
With his passing, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, now assumes the distinction of being Nigeria’s most senior living Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the statutory vice-chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Adeola Kunle
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