Most of the time, top lawyer and good governance advocate, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, talks about human rights, development and issues that promote egalitarianism. But there is also a soft side to the legal juggernaut, this much can be seen in this interview with KEMI YESUFU. Ajulo who spoke to Frontline News Online CEO at his exquisitely furnished head office tucked in the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja opened up on his impeccable dress sense, his love for classiness and why his mother is his biggest inspiration.
You are considered to be one of Abuja’s best dressed lawyers. Why do you pay attention to your dressing?
To be honest, it was until people complimented my dressing that I took a back seat to reassess myself, if they were being honest. I believe in people doing what makes them feel good, like looking well dressed. I started taking note of where to buy certain fashion items when people admire them on me. I can say, my love for dressing well started from my mother. Now, we call them fashion designers, but when I was young people involved in my mother’s trade were called seamstresses. From being a seamstress my mum started traveling to nearby countries to stock her shop. She later veered into book selling. In my home you must know how to sew. We all do till date. It was from my early years that I learnt how to design my clothes. Now, I don’t sow, but I still design for tailors to sow. I learnt how to combine colours from my mum. She is highly fashionable. She is the main explanation to my prioritizing looking good. Again, I believe that a lawyer should look presentable and dignified. There are lawyers I look up to and they look good every day. Quick to come to mind is Justice Kayode Eso. I think I picked my love for bowties from him. I got to know him when I was in elementary school. All the lawyers I look up to are stylish: Olumide Aluko, GOK Ajayi, they dress in the classic style. I also admire lawyers in the UK, they dress well, they drive good cars, they conduct themselves properly. I believe that in emulating certain good lifestyle choices of admirable personalities, one day you will be as successful as they are.
What is your fashion must-have? Could it be a bowtie?
Well, I can say I am fixated on bowties. Like when friends are travelling, unlike popular gift choices like perfumes, I ask if I can get a bowtie! When I talk of a bowtie, I am speaking of self-tie bowties. My dad told me, already tied bowties are for waiters, while the self-tie type is for noble men. It will surprise you that I have over 2000 bowties. I am even trying to make a point of duty to introduce the self-tie bowties to young men. I often give them to young lawyers as gifts. Aside from bowties, blazers are a must. A man should have good pairs of jeans and loafers before talking about oxford shoes.
You have one of the best organized and decorated law chambers in Abuja. Is this also a deliberate move to be outstanding or like some members of the high society say your impressive head office is part of your preparing to be elevated to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)?
People easily come to conclusion on issues they are not well informed about. I worked with Chief Afe Babalola briefly, then I moved to Tunji Abayomi’s firm, but by the time I was about four years in the bar, I became independent. I opened my first office at Metro Plaza which then was a prime property. For me, it is more about my having a vision, knowing where I want to take my firm. I knew the quality of clientele I wanted to attract. Some may see my office as me wanting to become a SAN, but I have always wanted to do things well. Ultimately, the main consideration for my having a state of the art head office is the well-being of my associates and other staff. I ensured that I provided a very conducive environment for them to work in. Environment affects the output of majority of people, same for their mood, hence the need to avail my staff a top notch space and infrastructure, a well -stocked library and the right work tools. Yes, every lawyer prays to become a SAN, my case is not different. But like I have said, from my first office to my current (head) office, I set up my office to make work easy for my associates and staff, as well as help them be highly effective. I always want to have an office that my clients will be proud to meet me in. When I was in Law School, my lecturer, Dr. Abayomi taught me during a private visit on how to take a brief, why a lawyer should first respect himself for the client to reciprocate. He told us that no matter how big your client is; he/she should come to your chambers to give his/her brief. I remember interjecting to ask what if the person is a very important person? He said I would have to make my law firm so presentable, that a very important person will be happy to come to the place. He advised that the only time a lawyer should visit a client to take his/her brief is if they are indisposed or aged. Making my office comfortable for governors and top personalities is deliberate. I’ve always wanted to run a full-fledged commercial law firm, both corporate and litigation. You are appointed a SAN based on your contributions, how you have promoted the legal profession, what you have contributed to jurisprudence and not because you have a big office.
You have been inspired by older family members and colleagues. Would it be right to say you carry yourself like you also want to inspire those coming behind you?
You must have seen the pictures of President Barak Obama, Gani Fawehimi, Mahatma Gandhi, Wole Soyinka and even Fela here. I call them my quorum of advisers. They all inspire me. Each time I need inspiration I look at their pictures. Take Nelson Mandela for example, I look up to him for tenacity. He spent 27 years in prison even when overtures were made to him. His refusal to accept the conditions given for freedom teaches me that I can stand for just cause even when it so difficult to. For Barak Obama, looking at his picture, I see that every barrier can be broken. Imagine a black man be elected as President of the US. Life is about having people who inspire you and I try as much as possible to inspire lawyers. The greatest goal for any man is for him to be able to look back and say he inspired others. I am sure you saw the picture of staff of my firm with the inscription: ‘Investors in People’. The best form of investment is investing in people. I lecture pro-bono at the university and I have never asked for any form of compensation. It is more rewarding when someone walks up to me to say, ‘you lectured me at the university’.
You tried politics years back by contesting for office and serving as the national secretary of a political party. Do you see yourself going back into politics?
Well in life, I believe in ‘never say never’. I have explained in different fora, that when I tried my hands in politics, it was for a purpose. When I decided to resign from politics, I spoke with my mother and my wife, then I took my leave. The reason for my resignation was that I wanted to return to law and promoting good governance. I have been doing this. I strongly believe that I still have a lot to contribute to the legal profession.
What are the things that make you happy outside legal practice?
I am so thrilled with charity. I have explained it before that there is a difference between charity and being a philanthropist. Charity is immediate, interventions that can be done on the spot. You don’t have to be rich to be charitable. Mentoring, giving good advice, imparting knowledge and informing people. This is why when I appear on TV, I speak with the intention of informing people, promoting knowledge. When I speak with the media, it’s always about promoting good governance. I also love serving God. This may be a part of my life many people don’t know about.
So are you a ‘worker’ in church?
You know I am Anglican and I happen to be a Diocesan Registrar. I also belong to different groups in the church. I was born into the Anglican church where I contribute as much as I can to causes the church is involved in. When the new Primate of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba came into office, one of his first interventions was how the church could help during the Covid-19 pandemic. I happen to be one of the members of the interventionist group representing Akoko Diocese. I feel privileged to be part of interventions that touch lives.
What or who would say has had the most influence in your life?
My mother. If you noticed, I didn’t have to think about who to mention, I immediately mentioned her. My mum is not that lettered. I remember she told us that she stopped at standard 3. But she has native intelligence and she is streetwise. In most of what I have written, I have always said my mum is my first law teacher. I want to believe most people will say the same about their mothers being their first teacher. My mum taught me morals, she taught the importance of good values…she taught me a lot of things. I remember when somebody asked me how I got the passion for good governance, egalitarianism, I told him, I first learnt about these values from my mum. When we were young she used to teach us didactic rhymes, she taught us many things.
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