Making People Smile, My Greatest Achievement As Lawyer — Festus Ogun

Human rights lawyer and principal of Festus Ogun Legal, Festus Ogun, tells ABIODUN SANUSI about his career, advocacy, activism and lifestyle

What are your educational qualifications?

I attended Ifelodun United Primary School, Efire, Ogun Waterside, Ogun State, where I obtained my First School Leaving Certificate. For my secondary education, I attended The Pathfinder College, Ibiade, Ogun Waterside, Ogun State.

I went on to study Law at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Thereafter, I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where I took and passed the bar exam and was called to the Nigerian Bar.

You were an activist while in the university. How were you able to combine that with your studies?

As a student-activist, I understood that my primary assignment at the university was to graduate at the stipulated time with a good grade. I did not make any compromise on that. So, I created time to study hard for tests and examinations. Yes, I spent more time fighting for students’ rights than attending classes but that did not mean my academics took a rear position. Discipline, determination and proper time management were the tools I used to moderately combine activism with law.

What were your major exploits as a student-activist?

As a member and later Deputy Head of Chambers of Femi Falana Students Chambers, I instituted a number of strategic cases in our school’s judiciary. I remember vividly the landmark case I handled where the court declared that first-year students were entitled to vote in students’ union elections. Prior to that time, rookies were unjustly disenfranchised during elections without lawful justification. It was a significant judgment that has now become a point of reference. Similarly, I ran OOU Premium, a campus newspaper kept students informed on the latest news, as well as challenge unfavourable policies of the school management, expose gross corruption and misconduct in students’ associations, and fight for social justice generally. I regularly wrote articles and legal analysis on national issues, and they were published in national dailies.

How would you describe your experience studying Law at OOU?

Studying Law at OOU was the best experience that shaped me. The school’s leadership was very tolerant. I was not at any time threatened or intimidated. There was a time the Vice-Chancellor called me on the phone about an article I wrote on the illegal suspension of some students. He sounded fatherly and we both made our points in a manner devoid of further hostilities. That was the OOU I attended. If I had been frustrated by an intolerant university system, I might not be making my modest public-interest legal contributions on the national scene today. I am only worried about the pitiable neglect of the prestigious institution by the Ogun State government.

You were the president of the Law Students’ Society at OOU. What were the high points of your tenure?

As the president of the Law Students’ Society, the greatest achievement of our administration was our rich investment in the careers and personal development of students. That was more important to us than parties and dinners. We organised workshops, public lectures and skills acquisition programmes. We also resuscitated the moribund law journal that was last published over a decade prior to that time.

What were the highlights of your time at the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Law School?

I went to law school during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was truly challenging, even though the programme itself was not a difficult one.

It ended in praise and I am forever grateful to God.

Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer?

While in secondary school, listening to daily news was part of our daily routine. As a student, one had to write not less than five news headlines in one’s notebook. That exposed me to listening to news every day to the point that my dad had to buy me a radio set. From there, I got to know of people like the late Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana and Titiloye Charles, who were described by broadcasters as ‘Lagos-based lawyers’, ‘radical Lagos lawyers’ and ‘human rights lawyers’. I drew inspiration from them.

What inspired you to start your own law firm?

I see the practice of law as a business. However, the quest to commercialise the practice of law, which I find noble, has made the majority of lawyers to completely abandon the cause of the weak, oppressed and downtrodden. A lawyer has bills to pay. Regardless, a lawyer should ‘live in the direction of his people’. Aside from making ends meet, how many lawyers are truly committed to the direction of their people these days? I believe we can have a law firm of the future that would manage the rich and defend the poor. Who says a law firm cannot be committed to solving the most complex challenges of clients ,and at the same time, be fully committed to public interest, human rights and social justice?

How would you describe your experience running Festus Ogun Legal?

Running a law firm is not an easy task, but thanks to God, I have been doing my best.

What are your notable achievements as a lawyer?

My greatest achievement as a lawyer, so far, is putting smiles on the faces of clients incapable of paying their legal fees.

How do you cope handling many pro bono cases as a young lawyer still finding his feet in his career?

I selectively take up pro-bono cases. They are actually undertaken for public good, usually for indigent individuals. I have to be convinced that people are truly indigent before taking up their cases on pro-bono basis. That you have suffered human rights violation or injustice does not automatically mean you are entitled to free legal representation. Human rights and civil liberties is a specialised area of law. Those who can afford legal fees should pay for it. The challenge has been that most potential clients hide under the pretext of ‘human rights’ or ‘pro bono’ to seek legal intervention on purely commercial matters. They try to manipulate and blackmail us for demanding our fees.

Anyway, our position remains that only truly indigent individuals who suffer injustice or human rights violations should enjoy the benefit of free or discounted legal services. Nigerians must learn to pay lawyers. The law firms of human rights activists should not be mistaken for non-governmental organisations.

How do you balance being a lawyer, public analyst and activist?

I have been able to do that through time management, discipline, proper planning and hard work. I prepare my to-do list the night before the following day. It makes me more productive. Given that I combined advocacy with my legal practice, it was easier for me to fit into the shoes. But, I barely have time for social activities.

What inspired you to start Crypto Law Africa?

I see cryptocurrency as the future of financial technology. Helping those who deal in crypto navigate through the uncertain legal and regulatory terrain became an opportunity to provide solutions.

What would you have become if you were not a lawyer?

I would have become a journalist or writer.

Would you like to become a judge someday?

I have no interest in becoming a judge.

What advice do you have for young aspiring lawyers?

Your dreams are valid. However, dream with some sort of innovation. Innovation makes you shine brighter.