Former Commonwealth Secretary-General

Kehinde Sofola was an embodiment of integrity and patriotism. I served briefly with him in the ill-fated second Administration of President Shehu Shagari. His opinions and contributions to the deliberations of the Federal Executive Council were always perspicacious, and as such commanded respect from all his colleagues. His passing is an occasion for saying adieu to legal luminary and a truly dedicated citizen of our country.

Izoma of Asaba

Many richly deserved tributes have been paid by eminent Nigerians and others to your departed father for his brilliance and distinction at the Bar, and for his courageous and principled stand on many important issues. I personally was privileged to serve together with him in the cabinet of President Shagari’s 2nd administration. I came to know him more and to admire him then.

The journey, which commenced in 1952 when we were students at the University of London, terminated on Sunday March 25, 2007. It was a journey that went through many stages of life, undertook by three friends: Kehinde Sofola, Ishola Oluwa and Yahya Jinadu. It was a friendship that developed into relationship of extended family, which created such a bond that made it obligatory for the presence of each one at the family ceremonies of the others. It was journey sometime bedevilled with obstacles and problems and finding solutions to such problems in our own way some passers-by branded us as being rigid and inflexible. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant journey and we enjoyed it.

Kehinde Sofola was in many ways a unique person in this troubled and unsettled country of ours. A competent advocate with great courage among the present members of that profession, Kehinde would never compromise the interest of his clients: a Muslim who single-handedly built a mosque, founded and financed until his death an Arabic and Islamic School, and a loving husband and father whose handiwork is palpable in the type of children that survived him, Kehinde left his mark on earth.

Before settling down solely to the practice of law, Kehinde was a lawyer-politician who made his debut as junior Counsel to the late Chief M.E.R Okorodudu at the 1962 Coker Enquiry into the deeds of one of the political parties of the time. He was a lawyer that put the interest of his client before any commemoration of his status as an eminent lawyer commands. In his magnificence for humanity in general and his love and sacrifice for the legal, Kehinde had no equal among his peers of the Inner Bar. On many occasions he undertook cases without charging his clients, all in the interest of justice. He thus became the darling of many in the country. A testimony to the love and respect the country had for him was when second only to Judge T.O Elias, late President of the International Court in the Hague, he was invited by President Shagari to be the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice in 1983. The comments following the announcement of the appointment coupled with the spate of many parties for him was matched only by the large crowds that witnessed his funeral at Ikenne on Monday March 26, 2007. 

In his lifetime, Kehinde walked with the crowd and kept his virtue, walked with Kings and the Nobles but did not lose the common touch; a strong man of character and principle whom neither foes or loving friends could hurt.

His was a fulfilling life and our sympathy goes to his intelligent and hard working children headed by his and our dear Kayode.

Kehinde our brother, our journey together of 55 years came to an end on March 25, 2007 and we came to the parting of the way by the Decree of Allah; we to continue the journey in this harsh, rough and uncertain world, you to a place of rest in the great beyond. The parting was so sad and painful but who are we to query that act of God?

We miss you but from the setting of the sun until the end of the day we shall always remember you. The courts will miss you The Judiciary will miss you. The Nigerian Bar Association will miss you. The Nation will miss you. And last but not least. The Muslim community will miss you

As we bid you farewell Kehinde, we do so with grief in our hearts but pray to God to let your soul rest in perfect peace and make Paradise your place of abode till we meet again. Amen

A good and honest man.  You  have the good fight and succeeded.  God will reward you immensely.

A legal icon of national & international repute.  A great character worthy of emulation who lived a fulfilled life.  May Allah reward him abundantly for all his good deeds.

We shall miss your frank but objective wisdom as a leader of the Bar and an opinion leader of Nigeria.  Please rest in peace.  The labourer’s task is over.

Head, Corporate Planning & Development (MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC)

Legal luminary, Chief Kehinde Sofola (SAN).

The eternal exit of Chief Sofola, is indeed a great loss not only to his immediate family and business associates but to Nigeria as a nation.

Registrar/Chief Executive (The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria)

Patriarch and legal colossus Pa Kehinde Sofola, SAN.

Pa Sofola, was known to be a man of excellent qualities. In his chosen career, he stood head and shoulders above others and lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

Secretary (Board of Management) St. Saviour’s School, Ebute – Metta

We remember with joy, the love, kindness, and dedication Papa lavished on the staff and children of St. Saviour’s School, Ebute – Metta when he was the Chairman of the Board of Management.

His care and good thoughts about the school will ever remain green in our hearts.

President, Old Boys Association

He was the leading member of the committee that drafted the Association’s constitution. He was in the forefront in the rescue operation for the school survival, following the compulsory government acquisition of schools. For many years he was the National Vice President of the Old Boys Association. He was one of the highest donors to the building fund of the school’s Jubilee library during the 50th Anniversary of the school.

In recognition of Mr. Kehinde Sofola noble disposition to the school and the Old Boys Association he was one of the first to be honoured with the Association’s merit Award in January 1980.

Today our PATRON is no more. He has left a vacancy that is very difficult for us to fill. He has left a legacy of hardwork, dedication, humility, integrity and unparalleled sense of commitment.

History will remember him as a great legal luminary but I will always remember his as a personal friend and adviser who gave generously of his time and resources to all who came his way.

After only one interaction with Mr. Kehinde Sofola in the late 1980’s, he left an indelible impression on me as a very principled and courageous man who clung tenaciously to the truth, equity and justice.

He lived an exemplary life.