* Justice Ariwoola, Fashola, Adegbonmire, others honour him at grand reception
Mr. Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola of Onigegewura Chambers has been inaugurated as one of the 57 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday, September 29, at the Supreme Court Compex, Abuja, with families, friends, and members of the legal profession in attendance.
Mr. Akinsola’s elevation to the prestigious rank has been widely celebrated by friends, family, notable legal practitioners and myriad of well-wishers.
The elevation is a positive reflection of academic excellence, legal integrity, and professional distinction for the Ile-Ife born legal luminary
Other sworn in includes, Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, David Ogenyi Ogebe, Aminu Sani Gadanya, Shuaib Magaji Labaran, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Augustine Enenche Audu, Ali Dussah Zubairu, Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan, Taiwo Azeez Hassan and Olufemi Olubunmi Oyewole.
Akinsola, the Managing Partner at Priory Terrace Solicitors with offices in Abuja, Lagos, and Gombe, is widely respected for his exceptional track record in justice sector reform, both in the private and public spheres.
His SAN conferment is seen as a crowning achievement in a career marked by academic excellence, professional integrity, and national service.
An accomplished legal practitioner and arbitrator, Akinsola (SAN) holds an LL.M in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick, UK, and an International Diploma in Commercial Arbitration.
He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He is also an Associate of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria.
* Justice Ariwoola, Fashola, Adegbonmire, others honour him at grand reception
A grand reception was later held at Cubana Hotel, Abuja to celebrate the elevation of Tasleem Akinsola to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The event drew an impressive gathering of eminent personalities from the bench, the bar, academia, and public service. Leading the tributes was Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, who spoke glowingly about the professional accomplishments and integrity of the new SAN.
Also present at the colourful occasion were His Excellency Babatunde Fashola, CON, SAN, the immediate past Minister of Works and Housing; Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary; Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the APC; Hon. Justice Olayinka Afolabi; Hon. Justice Oke; and Hon. Justice Aderibigbe.
From the academic community came Prof. Abiola Sanni, SAN, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos; Prof. Wale Olawoyin, SAN, the Orator of the University of Lagos; and Prof. Akeem Bello. They were joined by notable members of the bar including Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN; Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, Attorney General of Lagos State; Mrs. Abimbola Ibironke Akeredolu, SAN, former Attorney General of Ogun State; Yeye Victoria Awomolo, SAN; and Seun Ajayi, SAN.
The reception was further graced by respected legal practitioners such as Hakeem Balogun, Esq, and Ibrahim Lawal, Esq, Chairman of the Ibadan Bar.
Speaker after speaker shared personal anecdotes and heartfelt tributes, highlighting Akinsola’s brilliance, humility, and the inspiration he has been to colleagues and contemporaries alike. They recalled moments where they had tapped into his vast reservoir of legal knowledge and admired his unwavering commitment to excellence.
Mr. Fashola (SAN) described him as his trusted “go-to” person for fact-checking legal points, while Senator Ajibola Basiru fondly reminisced about their University of Lagos days, revealing that he was the one who first conferred on Akinsola the playful title of “Otunba of Law.”
Adding cultural depth to the evening, Àpèkẹ́ Ajóbàtá thrilled the audience with her sonorous voice and rich rendition of oríkì for the dignitaries, which brought a vibrant traditional touch to the celebration.
The reception stood as both a recognition of Akinsola’s towering achievements in the legal profession and a reflection of the deep respect and admiration he commands across the judiciary, academia, and political leadership.
PRIVATE SECTOR PROFILE
He is the Managing Partner of Priory Terrace Solicitors with offices in Abuja, Lagos and Gombe. He was a Senior Associate in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode.
PUBLIC SECTOR PROFILE
In public sector, Olanrewaju served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue Law and later as Senior Special Assistant on Justice Sector Reforms to the Governor of Lagos State.
BAR PROFILE
Olanrewaju Akinsola has served as a member of the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Bar Association Journal. He is currently engaged as the Associate Editor to the Editorial Committee of the Body of Benchers in respect of the publication of Report of Directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP
As an author, his published works include the following:
* 2025: Associate Editor, Reports of Directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee [Four Volumes]
* 2025: Once Upon A Time: A Collection of True Crime Stories from Nigerian Courts
* 2024: History of Nigerian Bar Association
* 2023: Diamond at the Bar: A Chronicle of Lessons and Values from the Life of Aare Afe Babalola
* 2020: Finality and Infallibility: A Review of Supreme Court Judgments of Justice Amiru Sanusi JSC
* 2018: Echoes Across the Niger: Historical Tales of Contemporary Events in Nigeria
* 2015: Cases and Principles of Personal Income Tax Act
HONOURS AND AWARDS
* 2024: Nigerian Bar Association Presidential Medal Award
* 2023: Aare Afe Babalola-Letter of Commendation for publication of Diamond at the Bar
* 2023: President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Letter of Commendation
* 2019: President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Letter of Commendation
* 2017: British Council-Winner of British Council Professional Achievements
* 2017: Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-Letters of Commendation for work done on legislative reform
* 2011: Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
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