Encomium
ON Wednesday, July 19, 2014, the Nigerian legal community was thrown into deep mourning as fiery lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Bamidele Francis Aturu, fondly called BF, bid this sinful world goodbye. The brilliant legal practitioner was said to have developed breathing problem and slumped in his residence on Olufeso Iloro Street, Agege, Lagos, at about 10 a.m and was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, where he passed on around 11 a.m.
Since the news of his sudden death filtered into town, his house which also doubles as headquarters of Bamidele Aturu & Co., has become a Mecca of sort as mourners from different parts of the country keep trooping in to confirm the story and also commiserate with his family. His colleagues were also not left out.
On Friday, July 11, 2014, when ENCOMIUM Weekly visited the house, the atmosphere was so pensive, reflecting the mourning of the family.
Our efforts to get the reaction of Bimpe, the wife of the late lawyer, were unsuccessful. Still devastated, the fair-skinned mother of two, Tobi and Eri was unable to utter a word on the cause of the death of her beloved husband. She, instead, told us not to bother for now as she will invite us at the appropriate time.
“Please, I can’t comment on anything for now. I think this is not the right time as you can see. When we’re ready, we will invite you.”
Meanwhile, one of the family friends who spoke to us under the condition of anonymity refuted the story in some newspapers that Aturu died of high blood pressure.
“There is no iota of truth in the story that Bamidele Aturu died of high blood pressure. Although, one cannot rule out the likelihood of him dying of heart attack, no one can ascertain the cause of his death now, until when the result of autopsy is out. He was rushed to the hospital soon as it was noticed that he couldn’t breath well, and he died almost an hour later. It’s so sudden and painful.”
However, ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with few of his colleagues, his staffers and the main beneficiary of his fight against human right violation, star actor, Babatunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe. They all described the late human rights activist as a brilliant and wonderful human being, whose place in history will forever remain indelible on account of his doggedness and emancipation of the oppressed.
Aturu’s remains will be interred on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Ebony Yard, Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.
He is survived by his aged parents, siblings, wife, Bimpe and two kids (a boy, Tobi, 11 and a girl, Eri, 7).
He was a graduate of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
‘Bamidele Aturu was committed to enthronement of democratic principles’ – GOV. AMOSUN
OGUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has expressed deep shock at the news of the demise of foremost political and human rights activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, hailing his strong commitment to the enthronement of democratic principles.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media, Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said he is greatly saddened by the news of the sudden death of the prominent lawyer, especially coming at a time when his wealth of experience was mostly needed in reshaping of the destiny of the nation.
“This is so sad, the law profession has lost another bright star. Bamidele Aturu was passionately committed to the enthronement of democratic principles and the emancipation of the marginalized and oppressed. He has done his bit and certainly left his footprints on the sands of time,” the governor said.
Amosun commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Nigerian legal profession, the human rights community as well as his friends and political associates.
He prayed to the almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
‘ATURU’s death has left a great vacuum’ – MUIZ BANIRE, colleague
How would you describe Barrister Bamidele Aturu’s death?
Very shocking. It was a rude shock and pathetic.
How would you describe him?
He was a very amiable fellow, very concerned and I am sure, the love for others and determination for others to live might have led to his death. At times, when the human right crusaders embark on ventilating the peoples’ differences, they tend to forget themselves also. And that possibly could have led to what happened. They always keep themselves pre-occupied.
How would you describe his exit from the legal community?
Of course, his death would leave a vacuum because our profession is geared towards the enthronement of justice. But unfortunately, some of us have forgotten that this is what we’re meant to be doing. But for those who are committed, we must constantly praise them. So, losing somebody like him will surely create a great vacuum difficult to fill.
‘He replicated what GANI FAWEHINMI stood for’ – ADINDU UGWUZOR, colleague
We commiserate with you and the legal community on the death of Barrister Bamidele Aturu.
Thank you so much.
How would you describe him as a colleague?
Bamidele Aturu was not just a colleague, he was a personal friend. He loved me and my family. As soon as Gani Fawehinmi died, he called me and said, “Adindu, you won’t suffer. Don’t worry, we will be doing matters together.” Since, we have been doing that. And that has been very helpful. Bamidele Aturu was very loyal. He was loyal to his colleagues and everybody around him. And he was very religious, sincere and upright. Bamidele was an intellectual of the highest order. He was so humble and unassuming. He was not just a human rights activist, he was loyal to the poor masses of his country. Aturu replicated what Gani Fawehinmi stood for. He was just too good to die this soon.
How would you describe his exit from the human rights community?
It’s going to leave a very large vacuum in the human rights circuit. Right now, he was one of the best. He was one of those that could stand for the poor masses of Nigeria at any given time. He was labour people. Anywhere in the country that there was injustice against the workers, Bamidele Aturu would be found there and he would make sure justice was done. He would ensure due process was followed.
How did you receive the news of his death?
It was devastating to me and my wife. As soon as I received the call, I said, ‘Never, God forbid.’ My wife asked who was that? I started crying before confirmation. Bamidele Aturu was so close to my family. He was good to me as a person. So, we will all miss him a lot. What we can do for him is not just to bury him, we must give him the honour he deserved. This is because when others died, Bamidele would run around and make sure they were given the honour they deserved. When Adams Oshiomhole’s personal secretary died, it was in his office that all the human rights activists gathered and raised fund for the burial. So, that’s the best we can do for him. I am the secretary of the burial committee, and we will make sure he is given the burial he rightly deserved.
‘I can’t forget his role in my case with NDLEA’ – BABA SUWE, Client
What was your immediate reaction when you received the news of your counsel, Barrister Bamidele Aturu?
I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. I felt bad and extremely confused. What I was holding then just fell off my hand and I started crying. It was received with disbelief and rude shock. When I saw the news on my phone, I doubted its authenticity because I don’t trust all these bloggers. They can post anything, just to scare the public or cause panic. I just said, “These people have come again,” not knowing it was real.
How would you describe your relationship with him since you met him?
It was very cordial and fantastic. Mr. Aturu was not just a counsel to me but a brother. In fact, we related as brothers. We were like family friends to each other. We were always in touch with each other. The first day he visited me, when he wanted to start handling my case with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), he was so polite in his conduct. He asked if I really committed the crime, and I told him I never for once saw or touched cocaine or heroin in my life. He now said if that was the case, I should not worry. He advised I should just be praying, that by God’s grace I would get out of the mess. And he handled the case with all his power. He was a brilliant and very intelligent lawyer. He was truly a human rights activist. He lived all his life fighting oppression and violation of human rights. I can never forget him. In fact, not only me, all Nigerians, especially the poor masses will miss him.
How would you now describe his death?
It’s pathetic! It’s an irreparable loss to Nigerian human rights community. If I was told Aturu would die 40 years from now, I would dispute it. His death was so sudden. May God be with the family and those of us he left behind.
What would you remember him for most?
Tade, what are you still asking me? You know it all. I can’t forget what he did in my life. The part he played in my case was enough to linger in my memory forever. He was a very sound and brave lawyer. I will forever remember him.
But the case has not ended yet, what’s going to be your fate now concerning it?
Don’t talk about that for now. Aturu’s death has left a great vacuum but everything is known to God.
‘He was more than a boss to me’ – JOHN NWOKWU, staffer
How long have you been working with him?
I have been with him for about one and a half years.
Which office do you hold?
I am just a counsel. But not just a counsel, Mr. Bamidele Aturu was more or less an elder brother, father and my friend.
How would you describe him?
He was a very good man. He was exceptionally and extremely good in everything you can think of, be it sport, religious or social life. He was also particularly good in political analysis. Mr. Aturu was exceptionally brilliant, and he took his career very seriously. Whenever he said he had two issues to discuss with you, it’s usually about God and law because he was also a pastor, very religious. If he opened the book of law, you will think there was nothing called God at all, and if he discussed any issue concerning God, you will also think the man doesn’t understand anything about law. So, he was just a master of everything. He was very intelligent and I so much love him.
How would you now describe his death?
It was a rude shock. I am yet to come to terms with it. It was a violent rape of love and cross breeding of legal mind because my aim was just to tap from his knowledge. He was exceptional in everything.
What would you remember most about him?
I will continue to remember him for everything. He was a very happy and cheerful man. He was down to earth. He didn’t see himself as a boss to me but a brother and friend. Personally, I tried not to relate with him as a son, brother or friend because I am his employee but he would always want to relate with me as his blood brother. His death pains me the most. He was the kind that would never lie about his movement. If he was going somewhere, he would tell you and immediately he was back, he would inform you. He was so plain in his conduct and everything.
What’s your immediate reaction to his death because you saw it all?
It was a rude shock to me. I still don’t believe it. I am still hoping that what the Bible says about Lazarus will play itself out in the case of my boss, Mr. Aturu. It’s very shocking and painful. I continue to ask myself if it’s true that the man is no more.
You seem to be very close to him, when was your last interaction with him?
That was on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. By 7 p.m exactly, we met that day. After praying, he told us that he was going to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He said he would come back on Thursday, July 11, 2014. When others were about leaving, I turned back and told him what I observed about one of his cheeks. He now asked if it’s noticeable. I told him it wasn’t, except for those of us who’re close to him. He now told me that his gum was paining him. I now asked if he chewed the gum or his tooth brush was old. I now advised that maybe he had to change his toothbrush, and he said, “Yes, I will.” He just turned his back and bid me good night. That was all, not knowing that will be our last conversation.
Apart from that, you didn’t notice any sign of sickness at all?
Nothing like that at all. He was full of life, hale and hearty. On Wednesday morning, that’s July 9, 2014, I was in the office, asking the guy he asked to buy his flight ticket, whether Oga had gone to Uyo as he said or not. He told me he was just coming from the airport, he said Oga had told him to cancel the flight that he wasn’t travelling again. So, we were all waiting for him to come down for morning prayer as usual, but he didn’t come. Then, around 10 a.m, we were informed that he was not breathing fine. And immediately we got there, we rushed him to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos. But all the efforts couldn’t yield the desired result, the man gave up.
What time exactly did he die?
He died around 11 a.m.
But why was the news of death delayed till around 10 p.m before it started filtering out?
Nobody confirmed his death to anybody. People were just conjuring stories. Even, none of us could disclose his death to anybody because we all believed he was just sleeping and very soon he would wake up. Not knowing he was already dead. But when it became obvious that the man was not going to get up again, we now summoned courage to pack him. Even as at that, we still didn’t believe he was dead. And that was around 6 p.m.
By virtue of your closeness to him, you should have the privilege of knowing one or few of his unfulfilled dreams. Can you tell us?
He was supposed to release about five books on Thursday, October 16, 2014, as a gift for Nigerians. And one of the books is entitled, The Travails of Gani Fawehinmi, which he was about to complete before death struck. The work on it was still ongoing till he died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, and left the project unfinished. It was late Gani Fawehinmi that instructed him to write the book, just a week before his death. He told us that he wanted Mr. Aturu to write the book on all his travails as a human rights activist including his time in prison and all that, that were documented in whatever form. He said he had everything in his office. He said we should come to his office and do the research. That was how we went to Gani Fawehinmi’s office and did the research, which Mr. Aturu planned to complete by October 15, 2014, in form of a book. And he was preparing it as his birthday gift for all Nigerians.
So, he was born on October 16?
Yes, that was the day he had planned for his 50th birthday. And the special gift that day would have been the book on Gani Fawehinmi. But death cut his dream short. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
‘He was a passionate and hard working man’ – CHIZAM ANYAWU, Chamber’s deputy head
How long have you been with Barrister Bamidele Aturu?
I have been with him for eight years.
How would you describe him?
He was a wonderful person. He was a very passionate and hard working man. He wasn’t just a boss but a big brother to me. He was also my pastor.
What will you miss most about him?
A lot because I don’t even know how to explain it. He was my motivator. He was a hero, and no doubt, I am going to miss a lot about him. He was also more or less a teacher to me, and I pray all that he had taught me, I should be able to live them out.
How would you describe his death?
It was very sudden and shocking. Up till this moment, I can’t believe he is gone. I still believe it’s a bad dream I had to wake up from.
How would you describe working with him all through the period you were with him?
It was a wonderful experience. He was a great man, very intelligent. I benefitted a lot from his pool of intelligence. He was a very nice boss.
How would you describe his exit from the legal community?
It’s a colossal loss to the legal community. I call him an encyclopedia of law. He was a very brilliant and hard working man.
How is life without him going to be now?
That one I don’t know yet. It’s God that will give us the grace to cope without him. We will surely miss him a lot.
How would you describe his last moment, did he actually die of high blood pressure as reported in some newspapers?
That’s not true because nobody has ascertained the cause of his death. People just fabricated stories around his death. Even at the hospital, no sooner than they collected his blood sample that he gave up. The result wasn’t even out. So, no one can say authoritatively that he died of a particular ailment. Those saying that did not see him, they were not even at the hospital.
‘He was the most selfless human being I had ever come across’ – OMOLADE IDOWUKUOLA, staffer
How would you describe your late boss, Barrister Bamidele Aturu?
I can go on and on, describing my boss. But let me just tell you, Mr. Bamidele Aturu was the most selfless human bring I had ever come across. He was so humble and respectful. He was totally concerned about the welfare of everybody he came across. He was also a Christian to the core.
How did you feel when you were informed that he had given up?
The news was received with a rude shock. I was extremely shocked and touched. In fact, I felt it was a dream, and I thought I would wake up from the dream soon until knew it was real. I am yet to recover from the shock. It’s very pathetic.
What will you remember most about him?
That was his concern about how we spend time. He was always concerned about how we spend time. It was as if he was fighting against time. He was so determined to make the best out of every minute he had. I will always remember his Christian beliefs and virtues. I think he would be the first person I would see that had that genuine desire to live out every Christian virtue. I don’t think I have ever come across anybody like that. He was extremely passionate about Christianity and law.
What was the most important thing you gained or learnt from him since the time you have been working with him?
I think the most important thing I gained from him was that I learnt a lot about integrity. He taught us never to compromise our belief. He always advised us to stand firm and give whatever we believe in our best shot. He also taught us not to allow a day to pass without learning at least one new thing.
How long have you been with him?
I have been with Mr. Bamidele Aturu for about four years. I started working with him since 2010.
What’s life going to be like without him?
I can’t even imagine life without him now because Mr. Aturu’s spirit was so strong. He had a larger than life personality. He taught us so many things about life and the legal profession. I can’t even imagine life without him now. I think Nigeria has lost yet another icon. We will all miss him a lot. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
– Interviews by TADE ASIFAT
