TRIBUTE BY PAUL BABATUNDE DAUDU ESQ , CHAIRMAN , NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION , BWARI BRANCH (CRADLE BAR) AT THE VALEDICTORY SESSION IN HONOUR OF ABRAHAM FEMI AFOLAYAN ESQ, LL.B, LLM AT THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL HEADQUARTERS , ABUJA , ON THE 23RD OF NOVEMBER 2023
PROTOCOLS
1. Death is a phenomenon that has defied every human explanation. No philosopher has ever offered a comprehensive explanation as to how one can be today and tomorrow; he or she is no more. Death has dealt a blow on us without affording us opportunities to fight back or defend ourselves successfully, not even the right to fair hearing.
Oh Death! we wish you were just kind enough to avail us fair hearing, we would have cited to you a hundred and one authorities, why our esteemed Lecturer and Colleague Sir Abraham Femi Afolayanshould have been spared for us. We must say, our hearts are heavy! 
2. The 24th day of October, 2023 was another sad day for all of us at NBA Bwari Branch. It was a black Tuesday for all the members of the Cradle Bar as we all battled within ourselves to contain the news of the demise of our amiable Lecturer, Colleague and Bar Leader.
At first, it sounded incredible, we wished it was a dream that we will wake from, but lo and behold! it was a sad reality! On a personal note , I recall working closely with Sir Abraham Femi Afolayan in the Ad Hoc committee set up by my predecessor Monday Adjeh with regards to the proposed amendments to the FCT Civil Procedure Rules just last year, little did I know that soon you shall depart from us into eternity.
3. It is painful, we won’t say it’s unbearable because death is like the hand of a clock that rolls round, while it’s pointing at 12’Oclock in the noon, it will get to 6 O’ clock in the evening.
It visits numbers 1-12 from time to time, none is an exception. In the same way, death as a phenomenon, admits no exception. Nobody is exempted. We find solace in God’s word that proclaims eternal rest in Heaven for those that died in Christ Jesus.
It could be adjudged that you were with us for a short while, yes, but what matters most is that you lived well. Dr. Abraham Femi Afolayan was the personification of diligence, erudition and scholarly attention to detail.
Our members, who were privileged to have been to taught by Mr Afolayan all bear testimony to the simplicity of his scholarly works and methodology of teaching Criminal Litigation at the Nigerian Law School. We at the Bar also took ‘’judicial notice’’ of his contributions towards Continuing Legal Education in Nigeria as Mr Afolayan always made out time write articles in various Law Journals despite his very busy schedule at the Nigerian Law School.
To say Mr Afolayan was a prolific author is an understatement. His contribution towards our criminal law jurisprudence, I dare say will be etched like a footprint in the eternal sands of time.
4. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, The Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari Branch expresses its heartfelt condolences to the entire family of Late Abraham Femi Afolayan as well as the entire Management and Staff of the Nigerian Law School particularly the Director-General , Prof Isa Chiroma Hayatu SAN for this most painful loss to all of us . It is our prayer that the soul of departed Lecturer and Colleague rest in eternal peace. God Bless us all .
•Paul Babatunde Daudu Esq.
Chairman
NBA Bwari Branch
(Cradle Bar)
