Ex-Attorney General: Richard Akinjide passes on

By Bright Ilero

Chief Richard Akinjide is dead, he died in the early hours of Tuesday, 21st of April, 2020, at his residence in Idi-Area of Ibadan.

He was a two time Minister of the Federal cabinet. He was the Minister of Education during the first republic under the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and the Minister of Justice in President Shehu Shagari administration.

He was born on November 4, 1931 in Ibadan ,Oyo state. He attended Oduduwa College Ile Ife from where he passed out in Grade one (Distinction) aggregate 6. He traveled to the UK in 1951 for his higher education and was called to the English Bar in 1955 and later in Nigeria.

He established his practice of Akinjide and co. later. The late Legal luminary will be fondly remembered for his brilliance in the Presidential case involving Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo with his mathematical mesmerising leading to the judicial victory of Shehu Shagari, this earned him the nick name Mr Twelve two thirds.

Details information about his demise are still sketchy, but Late Akinjide has ceased from public view for more than five years, largely due to old age.