The Oka-Akoko Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has been officially inaugurated with pioneer executives sworn in, marking a historic milestone for legal practice in Akokoland

A new chapter opened in the Nigerian legal sector on Thursday 25 June 2026 as the pioneer executives of the Oka-Akoko Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association were officially inaugurated and sworn in at the High Court in Oka, Ondo State.

The establishment of the Oka-Akoko NBA branch received strong support from the paramount ruler of Okaland, Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, and prominent lawyers including Barrister Tolu Babaleye, culminating in the creation of the new branch that is already generating interest across the Nigerian legal community.

Honourable Justice B. F. Ajibade, the Presiding Judge of the Ondo State High Court Oka Judicial Division, administered the oath of office to the pioneer chairman, Barrister Oladimeji Emmanuel Oyesusi, and other executive members including Barrister Jacmond Itiola as vice chairman, Barrister Titus Agbede as secretary, Barrister Oluwole Lawrence Ikare as treasurer, Barrister Olaniyi Awolu as welfare secretary, and Adejoke Adesola Aluko as financial secretary.

Justice Ajibade congratulated the new executives and urged them to remain committed to the noble objectives of the association.

“Mr Chairman, you and your executive must work assiduously to justify this trust reposed in you by making this Bar active, functional and impactful,” he advised.

Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi also offered his support and warned against unhealthy rivalry, emphasising the need for unity and collaboration with the existing Ikare Akoko branch.

The Olubaka of Oka Kingdom, Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1974, promised to support the new branch and raise the bar of legal practice in the kingdom.

Barrister Oyesusi, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the NBA president Mazi Afam Osigwe for his role in the creation of the branch and pledged that the executives would work diligently to set high standards for the association in Ondo State.

The ceremony concluded with a reception hosted by the Olubaka in collaboration with the branch executives, marking the formal beginning of legal practice expansion in Akokoland.