2ND WEEK JUNE 2009 (8TH-13TH)

SQUIB DIARY

MONDAY 8TH JUNE 2009
The Squib’s out. Cover story: - Adegboye Kolade- The Next Leader of the Premier Bar?
Had two EFCC matters in court this morning. No progress made in either. Whose fault? Prosecution’s! They were simply not ready – no witness to present to the honourable court. Saw some women in “Aso ebi” outfit near Justice Oyewole’s court. No need to tell the they (the women) were “the Georgitas” – female supporters of Olabode George, a PDP chieftain standing trial before Oyewole J for fraud. NBA Lagos branch held her monthly meeting today. At the foyer. Heard that the “masu-mato” Electoral Rules of the Obi Okwusogu Election Committee largely scaled through.

TUESDAY 9TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court today. For a ruling. When would the contractors handling the repairs of court rooms in the new complex finish their work? At least two of the court rooms on the ground floor their looked more like the workshop of “industrial carpenters” more than anything else these past two years.

WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For an EFCC matter. It couldn’t go on. Due to prosecution’s unpreparedness. On my way to the bar centre (NBA Ikeja Secretariat) noticed that the “Evil Stream” at the entrance of Justice Kazeem Alogba had sprung up again.

THURSDAY 11TH JUNE 2009
Jade Gardens – “Chinese Restaurant” at the G.R.A Ikeja. Was there this morning, till say 12.00p.m. To attend this year’s Attorney-General’s Forum. The topic? Awaiting trial process. Quite an interesting meeting. Lots of the problems easily identified. A lot of solutions preferred. But when will the real action begin?
Heard late in the evening of the death of Mrs. Kemi Sanusi, the Senior Registrar in Justice Suyi Olateru-Olagbegi’s (of Lagos High Court). She was aged 46 years. What a level headed, polite and respectful woman. Heard she died of malaria typhoid, on Tuesday week, leaving behind three children. Her husband had earlier passed about a decade ago.
We here in the Squib really miss this nice lady. May her soul rest in peace.

FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 2009
Public holiday, June 12. The day the alleged fairest and freest presidential election ever was held in Nigeria. In 1993. Throwing up the late M.K.O Abiola as the winner of the election. Annulled in June 12 1993, unleashing a series of event that eventually led to the birth of the present 4th Republic.
With four other Tigers, left Lagos for Ipesi, Ondo state. For the burial of late Pa Bayode Oniyire, the father of Niyi Oniyire, an Ikeja Tiger. Got there at about 9.00pm when the wake-keeping for Pa Oniyire was rounding up. Bunkered down, after a nice dinner of amala and roasted goat-meat and soup, which cuisine, (particularly the meat) brought the biblical admonition
“obedience is better than sacrifice”
“And to hearken better than the fat of rams” sharply into my mind

SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2009
Woke up early in the morning to notice that Ipesi is a small, very small, peaceful town in full rural setting. Through the windows of our room saw lush foliage, fauna, and mountains. Saw an Agbe bird and myriad of ijalo” ants spread on plants. Also saw “kuluso” holes on the grounds of the house reminding me of our child hood song. Kuluso Kuluso Abiyamo feyin so
Now fresh and clean the air smelt! How serene and peaceful the atmosphere! Saw also some free-ranging chickens, the very types nutritionists advise as best for table and suddenly wished for a feast of such a healthy delicacy.
Encouraged with such salubrious sights, walked with the leader of the pack of Tigers, a.k.a “the in-coming”, inside the portion of Ipesi bush near by and donated certain tired contents of our stomachs to mother earth. Oh, the lost freedom and pleasure of open air toilet!
After break-fasting on blocks of yam and tasty stew, we left for the burial service of Pa Oniyire. Before and after the service, the undertakers entertained the worshippers with their “casket-control” skills, dancing with the coffin. And it seemed the more the crisp naira notes that sailed in their direction, the mere dexterous, they became!
Took our leave at 11.00a.m but not before an insistent Mrs. Olumide Oniyire piled us with sundry spirits trapped in cans.
About four hours later, we landed in Ora-Igbomina, the city of Yinka Farounbi and the home of perpetual pounded yam. We came there to join in the burial ceremony of the family head of Yinka Farounbi Pa Samson Oyedepo Farounbi a.k.a “This palm-wine is watery” who died at the tender age of 101 years. We met some other Tigers in the town and as Tigers were immediately offered some flesh to devour. Pounded yam with fitting accompaniment followed shortly. With sundry spirits and less energetic and sweeter drinks, prompting a flow of theories, counter-theories and hipothesses.
Later in the evening, a short drive in the Tiger-Bus took us all to the home of a prominent. Oran, a former surveyor-general of Lagos State. There the theories continued to flow. I remembered at least one of them. It came from a Tiger known simply as “Obaaaaat!” who sagely declared.
“No man no matter the situation should allow his background to put his back on the ground”.
While this profound statement was still being appreciated one Tiger, a very good friend of Honourable Justice Ade Alabi, quickly asked “In that case, how would women get pregnant?”
Before turning to bed, we fell on a hearty dinner. Are you asking me what it was? Pounded yam, of course.