| Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 July 1956 |
| Died | Owo, Ondo State |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) |
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, or Rotimi Akeredolu, (born 21 July 1956) is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.[1]
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Akeredolu was born on 21 July 1956 in Owo, Ondo State.[2] He attended the Loyola College in Ibadan.[3] He went on to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Law, graduating in 1977.[4] He was called to the Nigerian Bar 1978.[2]
Akeredolu was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997-1999. In 1998 he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006).[2] In November 2009 he face allegations of corruption when the Bar Association’s Third Vice-President, Welfare Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary circulated a petition entitled "Complaints against your fraudulent manifestations, violation of the NBA".[5]
In a lecture in December 2009, Akeredolu said no amount of electoral reform or judiciary system could give Nigeria free and fair elections, if Nigerians themselves refused to take practical steps to ensure that their votes count.[6] Later that month he stated that Umaru Yar'Adua, the President of Nigeria should have handed over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in an acting capacity during his illness, a statement that was backed up by the Nigerian Bar Association who said he was authorized to speak on their behalf.[7]
In November 2011, Akeredolu was among a crowd of aspirants to be Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for Governor of Ondo State in the 2013 elections.[8] In an interview that month, Akeredolu said that he had become well known and respected as president of the Bar, and described himself as a progressive. If elected, his priorities would include agricultural development, fish farming for export, improvements to education, jobs for youths and improved roads. He would provide free education and primary health care. He was in favor of increased subsidies and greater local control over public spending.[9]