‘Law is the Best Profession in the World’
My name is Adeyinka Moyosore Kotoye. I attended the University of Ibadan and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1998. I served in the firm of Afe Babalola, SAN & Co. In February, 1999, I started working in the firm of Chief G.O.K Ajayi, SAN & Co. In August, 2000, I joined Libra Law Office, where I worked under the tutelage of Mrs. Hairat A. Balogun. I was there till January 2009, when I started Pisces and Gemini Law Office (P.A.G.E) in Ikeja. I have been a Partner in the office since then. I am Married with three wonderful sons.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?
There have been several challenging situations but I don't look at them in that perspective. I don't consider them as challenges at all. I take them in my stride. Life itself, is full of challenges.
What was your worst day as a lawyer? I have never had any "worst day" as a Lawyer. I have been in active litigation right from the day I was called to the Bar. I think I was called on a Thursday. I started going to court the following Monday with Mr. Hakeem Afolabi, SAN, one of the greatest legal minds that I have ever come across. Therefore, for me, the Court room is a natural habitat, my fortress. Without sounding immodest, advocacy is second nature. The only punishment you could administer to me as a young counsel, was to take me out of the court, and nevertheless, I would still find a way to go back and watch the proceedings.
What was your most memorable experience?
I got initiated into high level litigation when I filed the Petition on behalf of Chief Olu Falae in 1999. I was working with the Late Chief G.O.K. Ajayi, SAN at that time. Since then, every day in court has been very memorable, whether I lose or I win. It does not matter. I just enjoy the ambiance of the Court room. I gives me some form of motivation. There is always something new to learn and take away.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My Mother and Bishop David Oyedepo. While I was growing up they had a very huge influence on me, but lately, my Wife.
Why did you become a lawyer? My decision to become a Lawyer dates back to 1979 during the campaign for that year's general election. I got inspired by the picture of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, which I saw on a poster somewhere within our neighbourhood. Of course, you dared not bring the picture to the house, because almost the entire household were members of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Between ages 15- 18, I read nearly all Chief Awolowo's books, to wit: "My March through Prison", "Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution" etc. Also within the same period, I started reading Autobiographies of people like Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR, Late Abel Ubeku, late Adeyemi Lawson, Ayo Rosiji and I thought I could model my career along that path before I stumbled on litigation in Chief Afe Babalola's office.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
Its the best profession in the world.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
Nothing. I never had a second choice. It was so bad that while filling my application forms for HSC at the Federal School of Arts and Science (FSS), Victoria Island, Federal Government College, Ijanikin and Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, I wrote "Law" in all the columns meant for subjects. The head of those institutions then had to call my father at different times, to make inquiries on the motive for my obsession with Law. It was the same situation while filing my JAMB forms. First choice was "Law". Second choice was "Law".
Where do you see yourself in ten years? Certainly not where I am at the moment. I am too restless to be static or stagnant. The office has just ventured into publishing. There has been a public presentation of our two flagship products, titled " Appeal Cases of Nigeria" which is going to be a monthly law reporting journal in the mode of the London Law Times Journal and "Practice Digest for Legal Practitioners" which is also going to take the form of the old Empire Digest. They are in both hard and soft copies. The public presentation was on the 10th of August, 2016 at the Bar Centre, NBA Ikaja branch which is situated inside the High Court complex beside Archbishop Vininng Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja. This is our focus at the moment. Deo Volenti, other things may be added in the future.