Accomplished lawyer, politician and human rights activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, died on the morning of Easter Monday, March 28, aged 82. His second son, Olumide, said his father fell ill in the early hours of that morning and was rushed to St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, where he died about 5.55am.
However, family sources are reported to have said that Braithwaite fell from a treadmill a few weeks ago and had been ill since then. The said illness worsened the morning of his death, resulting in breathing problems and his eventual date with death.
Olumide explained that his now late father suffered a stroke and heart failure.
Whatever the main cause of his death may have been, Braithwaite is one man that will be solely missed by his countrymen across all the geopolitical zones.
Born the last of eight children in 1933, his family’s very high profile name did not intimidate the young Braithwaite from aiming for higher heights.
Educated at C.M.S. Grammar School from 1946 to 1953, he did his A’Levels at London University at Kennington College in 1955. In 1957, he enrolled at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn that same year and graduated as a barrister in 1960.
His marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Grace, in 1956 produces five children and several grandchildren.
A fine gentleman, as many of those who knew him have attested, his battle for the emancipation of Nigeria started long ago. Even before he set up his law firm, Tunji Braithwaite & Co, which was established in 1961, he was poised for defending some of the most prominent cases in the country.
Among such cases is the one of Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and Premier of the Western region, Obafemi Awolowo. Such cases were quick to bring Braithwaite nothing but ire from the powers-that-be. This resulted in his becoming persona non grata to successive military administrations in Nigeria. But he forged ahead.
Braithwaite was Fela’s lawyer in the 1970s and represented the late singer in 1977 when then Lagos Military Administrator, Commodore Adekunle Lawal, set up an Administrative Board of Enquiry, headed by Justice Kalu Anya, to look into the circumstances that led to the burning down of Fela’s Kalakuta Republic by soldiers. The Supreme Court might have thrown out the case that asked for compensation for Fela, but Braithwaite had, with his team, shown that something novel had happened to the legal profession in the country. A young breed of lawyers who were not afraid to take on the establishment had put on the gown and wig.
Braithwaite’s love for the rule of law soon manifested in many forms, including his refusal to stand with his friend and client, Fela, in his decision to marry 27 women on the same day since he was still legally married to his first wife. Again, defending Awolowo did not stop him from floating the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) and contesting against Awolowo and other presidential candidates, including the incumbent President Shehu Shagari, in 1983.
He may not have won, but NAP was the only party registered by the electoral commission to join the five existing ones approved by the military government in 1979.
Braithwaite’s NAP returned to politics in 2003 when he was presidential candidate in the elections that year. NAP was however removed from the register by the electoral commission in 2012 for not winning a seat at any level.
He was a friend to many a Nigerian and this particularly manifested when he re-launched his 1986 book, Jurisprudence of the Living Oracles, during his 80th birthday celebration two years ago. Not only was then President Goodluck Jonathan in attendance, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and anyone who was someone was at the gathering.
It is therefore no surprise that there has been an outpouring of emotion since his passing. President Muhammadu Buhari has since commiserated with the Braithwaite family and well-wishers. In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said he believed the passing came at a time Braithwaite’s wisdom, intellectual depth, vast knowledge and experience were sorely needed by the country.
While recalling the late lawyer’s immeasurable contributions to the development of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Nigeria, he said the political history of the country would be incomplete without capturing his roles.
Buhari noted that the elder statesman was quintessentially selfless, patriotic and committed to national development as his passion to serve the people never waned despite not winning in the presidential elections.
The president prayed the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his loved ones.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, expressed sadness over the death. In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki recalled the doggedness and commitment of Braithwaite to nation-building during his lifetime through his many activities and unwavering stance against anti-democratic forces.
“(The) late Dr. Braithwaite was one of the pillars of our democracy. He was consistent in fighting for rule of law, social justice and equal rights of all Nigerians before the law. He stood for the truth always and his patriotism knew no bounds. He was an intellectual and respected legal practitioner.
“I still cherish his disposition and blunt views on issues. His contributions to the socio-political development of Nigeria is unparalleled. This is a major loss. This is another painful loss to this great country. It is, indeed, really disheartening and sad. We shall sorely miss him,” Saraki said.
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, described Braithwaite’s demise as “a great loss”, and said that “he will be remembered, not just for his contributions to the legal profession, but also to the development of the democratic ethos in Nigeria”.
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, said the deceased showed love and genuine concern for the downtrodden.
“Dr. Braithwaite’s death came to me as a rude shock because it was never envisaged that he was going to transit to the great beyond at this critical time in our nation’s history, given his concern for the nation and commitment to the general wellbeing of the masses.”
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed shock and sadness over Braithwaite’s demise.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, Ambode said Braithwaite’s demise was a great loss to both the state and the nation.
Describing the late nationalist as a detribalised individual whose example was worthy of emulation, Ambode said Braithwaite was “a man of the people”, a typical Nigerian who was consistent in saying things the way they were, not caring whose ox was gored.
Former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, expressed sadness at the passing. A statement by his media office said the death has left a vacuum in the political firmament of Nigeria. He is however consoled that “though dead, he leaves behind a robust political legacy and his vibrant intellectual contributions to the polity will remain relevant for a long time to come”.
For former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the death of Nigeria’s veteran lawyer and politician has robbed the country of one of its greatest giants not only in the field of law, but also in politics.
The statement by Atiku’s media office in Abuja said he particularly admired the late Braithwaite because of his unwavering commitment to constitutional reforms, especially his agitation for restructuring of the country.