Celebrating Adeyinka Patrick Olumide-Fusika, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on his 60th birthday anniversary is about celebrating a life dedicated to ‘grace, legacy, and divine purpose.’ I am celebrating a dear brother, a friend and my personal consultant, a life that has successfully blended professional integrity with faithful service, ‘a man of vast experience, selfless leadership, and indomitable character.’

Born on the 10th day of April 1966, Olumide-Fusika had his early education at St. John’s Primary School and at Oke’badan High School, both in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He earned his LL. B degree (with Honours) from Nigeria’s foremost University, the University of Ife, in 1987, and his B.L from the Nigeria Law School in 1988.  He was called to the Nigerian Bar in November 1988. He also holds a postgraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos.

After a brief stint in litigation and commercial law practice as an Associate with two other firms, he founded Citipoint (Legal Practitioners) in partnership as a partnership of four persons. The firm has since grown into one of the leading litigation and commercial law firms in Nigeria.

My path crossed that of Mr. Olumide-Fusika, his wife, and children in 2001, when I was serving as the pioneer Presiding Chaplain at the Chapel of Christ the Light (Interdenominational), Alausa, Ikeja. The Olumide-Fusika’s devotion to God remains the foundation of everything they do or say. They were not just members of the Chapel; they were an active and pioneer committed family member of the Chapel.

When I was serving at the Chapel, Olumide-Fusika sponsored his father of blessed memory, Chief Olumide Clement Ogunfusika, Manare of Idanre, and his mother on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jerusalem. It was indeed a fulfilled lifetime ambition for Baba Ogunfusika to walk where Jesus walked over 2,000 years ago. Olumide-Fusika exemplifies justice and fairness, as well as the true, uncompromising, and transparent fruits of his father, Chief Clement Ogunfusika. ‘Eni bi ni, laajo’ (You resemble who you were born to).

According to history, the Idanre people are very stubborn; they cannot just accept anything called cheating and can argue at length. Many people celebrating my brother at 60 today will not be surprised that they find it difficult to win any argument with Olumide-Fusika. Though not a clergyman, Olumide-Fusika is exceptionally versed in the Scripture, philosophy, ethics, and church history, and whenever I venture into some theological conversation with him, there is always no winner and no loser.

Olumide-Fusika, as a man of integrity and faith, expresses his legal practice as a ministry, guided by moral principles, honesty, and a “Christ-like” approach to resolving conflicts. Olumide-Fusika, aptly described ‘as one of the very finest’ by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, selflessly defended ‘many of the victims of the # EndSARS protest in 2020.’

Since his call to the Bar in 1988, he has practised primarily as a courtroom lawyer, both in trial and appellate cases. He has been involved, as lead counsel for his clients, in many intricate civil and criminal defence trials, and is well-reputed for his effective cross-examination skills. He is also well known across the appellate court system for his incisive brief writing, which has led him to have hardly lost any case on Appeal, whether before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The law reports are replete with landmark judgments in which he appeared as lead counsel for either appellants or respondents.

Since my encounter with Olumide-Fusika and his family at the Chapel of Christ the Light (Interdenominational), Alausa, Ikeja, he remains a visible expression of a mentor, a “people’s lawyer” known for wisdom, and a person of deep prayer, a model of a Christian husband and father. Olumide-Fusika’ s ‘regular provision of pro bono publico legal services for indigent citizens has confirmed his ‘insistence that access to justice should not be the exclusive preserve of the bourgeoisie.’

Olumide-Fusika is known for his ‘consistency, reliability and dedication to the struggle of the Nigerian people for a just and humane society.’ Femi Falana (SAN) explained that, since Olumide-Fusika joined the legal profession, he ‘has impacted positively on the struggle to guarantee social justice for the masses of our people. His entry into the club of senior advocates has strengthened the capacity of the radical wing of the legal profession to break the walls of conservatism with audacity and tenacity of purpose. As a result of his selfless service and quality leadership, the Citipoint Chambers, headed by Olumide-Fusika, has become one of the topmost law firms in Nigeria.

Whenever the human rights of poor and vulnerable people in society are violated, we can always count on Olumide’s readiness to challenge powerful violators in the law courts and on the streets. The successful 14-year legal defence of Comrade Rasheedat Adesina against the University of Ilorin from the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court by Olumide and his partners has become a source of inspiration to the young generation of activists in the legal profession.’

Happy renewing 60th birthday to Olumide-Fusika, a beacon of legal excellence and Christian integrity. For decades, Olumide-Fusika has treated the law not just as a profession, but as a calling to serve God and humanity.’ Olumide-Fusika, through his career, is a testament to the belief that sharp intellect and compassionate faith can go hand in hand. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice, your role as a mentor, and for being a true ambassador of Christ in the legal field. As you enter this new decade, may you be blessed with continued wisdom and joy.’

Femi Falana (SAN) aptly described Olumide-Fusika as ‘a man of extraordinary integrity and uncommon generosity. His generous disposition has been manifested in the quiet manner in which he has looked after the family members of some of his comrades who lost their precious lives in the course of the struggle. In particular, he secures admission for the children and pays their school fees. We cannot thank him enough for treating the family members of our fallen patriots with such kindness and compassion.’

Olumide-Fusika, a champion of the socialist reconstruction of Nigeria and a legal analyst, warned that the Supreme Court must stop interpreting laws with sentiment and instead enforce them strictly—regardless of political fallout. According to him, “the only thing that can help us is — since we will not as a people voluntarily obey the law — the Supreme Court should just close its eyes and enforce the law. Let the heavens fall. It doesn’t matter. Just enforce the law. If the law says this, is it, don’t go about using sentiments and all that, just say, ‘That is the law I’m pronouncing.” Olumide-Fusika explained that ‘the real crisis facing the nation is not merely political instability, but the lack of enforcement of laws, which has led to widespread disregard for constitutional mandates.

Warning that Nigeria’s governance system has been ‘overtaken by corruption,’ Olumide-Fusika says the nation’s corruption fight needs political will, warning EFCC alone cannot solve the country’s deep-rooted crisis. He said, “We have an infestation… the system itself has been overtaken by corruption. The EFCC can only do its best; it’s a Nigerian institution. There are good elements and bad elements within it. Those who are doing their job, we must commend them.”

Olumide-Fusika is regularly invited to speak at important social and legal events, and has written articles and delivered lectures on diverse topics, including:

– ‘The Devil, The Deep Blue Sea and The Caught Between: Commentaries on a Tattered Social Contract’ (Lecture delivered at the 10th Anniversary of the Assassination of the Late Osun State Assemblyman, the Hon. Odunayo Olagbaju);

– ‘Corporate Governance: The Turning Point’ (Lecture delivered at the maiden session of the United Bank of Africa (U.B.A.) Group Managing Director’s Inspirational Lecture Series);

– ‘Conflict and Crises in Africa: Protecting All Children’s Rights’ (Lecture delivered at the ‘Day of the African Child’ organised by the African Women Lawyers Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sport & Social Development);

– ‘The Role of Banks in Anti Money-Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism and Other Financial Crimes’ (Lecture delivered at the 16th Seminar on Banking & Allied Matters organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) for Judges at the National Judicial Institute);

– ‘Corruption and the Law: A Case of Unequal Justice’ (Lecture delivered at the 2nd Annual Law and Social Development Lecture Series of Bamidele Aturu & Co.);

– ‘The Lawyer as an Entrepreneur’ (Paper presented at the Entrepreneurship Training Programme of the Law Students Society of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife).

– ‘The Emergence of Law Firms’ Websites and the Professional Rule against Advertisement’ (Lecture delivered at the N.B.A. Institute of Continued Legal Education Workshop on Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Discipline of Lawyers).

He is a co-author of the book ‘A Cry for Justice’ (which documented and forensically analysed the evidential proceedings before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the July 10, 1999, murder of 5 students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife).

As an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (N.B.A.), he has served in many important positions, including:

– Chairman, Professional Ethics & Disciplinary Committee, N.B.A., Ikeja Branch (2008-2010);

– Member, Building Committee, FRA Williams Bar Centre, N.B.A., Ikeja Branch (2009-2014);

– Chairman, Electoral Committee, N.B.A. Ikeja Branch (2010);

– Chairman, Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Annual Lecture; Organising Committee, N.B.A., Ikeja Branch (2015 & 2016).

As we celebrate a beacon of legal excellence and Christian integrity, we thank God for His guidance and protection of Olumide-Fusika over the past 30 -40 years of practice. Let us pray for Olumide-Fusika for the grace to “sit at his desk” with Christ, ensuring he does not “lose their soul” to win a point. Let us pray with the book of Proverbs 31:8-9 for Olumide-Fusika for greater grace and unction to continue defending the marginalised and those who cannot speak for themselves.

Happy renewing birthday, dear brother and friend. More grace.