By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has officially returned to legal practice, marking his reappearance in court after nearly 16 years in public service.
Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the country’s most prominent legal minds, was spotted in full legal robes at the Supreme Court, where he represented a private client in a matter heard this week.
His return to active litigation has been widely praised within legal circles as a reaffirmation of his commitment to the rule of law and the legal profession.
This is Fashola’s first public courtroom appearance since completing his tenure as minister in May 2023, having earlier served as Governor of Lagos State from 2007 to 2015.
Known for his legal brilliance prior to holding political office, Fashola was once Chief of Staff to then-Governor Bola Tinubu and a key figure in Lagos’ legal reform agenda.
His presence in court has sparked reactions on social media, with many lawyers and citizens expressing admiration for his decision to return to his roots rather than remain on the sidelines after public office.
Fashola’s return also highlights the revolving door between public service and private legal practice in Nigeria, where senior lawyers often alternate between government appointments and court advocacy.
As of now, details about the specific case he handled remain undisclosed, but sources suggest Fashola is expected to take on a mix of constitutional and commercial briefs in the coming months.
