By Ghazali Ibrahim
A little-known personal history has shed new light on the enduring influence of one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds, Chief AbdulLateef Olufemi Okunnu, SAN, and how his legacy quietly shaped a Nollywood heavyweight.
In a Facebook post shared by Kayode Badmus, the award-winning filmmaker, Femi Adebayo’s life had been indirectly shaped by the influence of one of the most prominent legal icon in the country.
Chief Okunnu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the country’s most influential public figures, has held several key positions in national life. He previously served as Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, while his wife once occupied the office of Deputy Governor of Lagos State. He is also widely respected within the Muslim community, and his family has remained active in national affairs, including recent presidential aspirations by his daughter.
Beyond his public profile, Chief Okunnu played a significant role in the early professional life of veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello. In the early 1960s, Salami worked as a paralegal in Okunnu’s law firm, a role he reportedly retained even after venturing into theatre. At the time, Salami had ambitions of becoming a lawyer, having gained considerable legal experience under Okunnu’s supervision.
Although Salami eventually pursued acting full-time, the relationship between both men endured, with Okunnu remaining a key adviser in both legal and personal matters. In recognition of this bond, Salami named his second son after his mentor. The son, AbdulLateef Olufemi Adebayo, bears the same full name as the senior advocate.
Femi Adebayo later trained as a lawyer, obtaining both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law, before turning his focus fully to filmmaking. His father has publicly stated that his son’s legal achievements fulfilled his own unrealised ambition to join the legal profession.
In addition to his acting and filmmaking career, Adebayo was appointed Special Adviser on Arts, Culture and Tourism to the Kwara State Governor. Since returning to full-time filmmaking, he has produced several commercially successful Nollywood titles, including Agesinkole (King of Thieves), Jagun Jagun (The Warrior) and Seven Doors.
Sources close to the actor indicate that he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree, further expanding his academic and professional profile.
The story highlights a rare intersection of law, governance and the creative industry, linked by decades of mentorship and personal loyalty that continue to shape contemporary Nigerian cinema.
