B-A-M-I-D-E-L-E!!! For Bamidele Aturu

He Refused To Follow Us Home

Bamidele Aturu...died July 9, 2014

[To be read to the tune of Lijadu Sisters' Orin Arò]

Masquerade has danced into the groove leaving his mask

Soaring eagle has flown away leaving its feathers

Fish has sailed into the deep leaving its fins

People’s advocate has gone leaving his wig

Bamidele!

You have left the Supreme Court of this World

You are now appearing before the Celestial Court

High Court is no longer your calling

You are now an advocate of the Highest Court

Death!

What a macabre harvester are you?

You leave the pauper to pluck the prince in his prime

You abandon the sick with his pain to pick the hale

You blind your eyes to the oppressor and chose the defender of the oppressed

Bamidele! Why???

Why didn’t you live up to your name?

Why did you refuse  to follow us to the promised land?

Why did you leave Adebimpe a widow?

Why did you leave the kids without a father?

Tallest omo tree is the carver’s choice for Gangan drum

Best of petals is the prize for the bride

Fattest calf is the butcher’s pick

Bamidele, our best advocate is the death’s choice

We cry not for you, O Bamidele!

For Adebimpe and the kids, God their Comfort shall be

Our tears are for ourselves

Who shall now defend the defenceless?

Fare thee well, Omo Aturu!

Glorious death at prime is better than shameful death at twilight

But we shall tell and tell, over and over

To generations yet unborn, of your greatness and sacrifice

If people do meet in Orun Alakeji

Pass our greetings on to Fela Omo Anikulapo

Give our regards to Gani Omo Fawehinmi

Live on, Bamidele Omo Aturu, you live on! In our heart!

-Onigegewura

I wrote this in 2014. I stumbled on it some days days ago. It was my modest tribute to the late Bamidele Aturu, a gentleman among gentlemen. In all the cases we did together, we were always on the opposing sides. The Okada case and the Doctors' case readily came to mind. Notwithstanding, Bamidele Aturu was always gracious in and outside the courtroom. Always. He was a good man and a fine advocate. 

May God continue to comfort and hold his family.

Rest in peace.