Ilorin born Legal Luminary, Barrister Shuaib Mustapha Agbarere is being Confered with the award of prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN today at the Supreme Court of Nigeria Complex, Three Arms Zone, FCT, Abuja reaching the top echelon of the legal profession. A reception is also slated for today to celebrate his historic attainment of the rank of SAN.
In this exclusive interview with Dailysource, Barrister Shuaib Mustapha Agbarere chronicled his journey of becoming a successful lawyer. Excerpts:
Can we meet you, sir?
My name is Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, SAN Designate.
What inspired you to study Law sir?
I got inspired to study law from my time with late Alh Murtala Sanni, SAN and former Attorney General of Kwara State. I was engaged by him as a Quran teacher for his children. There was this occasion when I saw him cladding his legal attire, and I felt like I could be a lawyer. I told him that I wish I could become a lawyer and he said it was a possibility. May Allah have mercy on his soul.
This medium learnt that you didn’t attend primary and secondary school, how come you were able to study law?
I attended primary school but never proceeded thereafter to secondary school. My father insisted I must be enrolled in Arabic school. But my love for scholarship ignited my desire to pursue a Diploma Programme in Arabic, Islamic Studies and Yoruba before my switch to a career in law.
Where did you start your career as a lawyer?
I began my career as a lawyer from the law firm of A. U. Mustapha SAN & Co. I joined the firm after my mandatory NYSC programme and rose to become Head of Chamber, Abuja Office before I resigned in the year 2007 to establish my law firm.
What does it take to be a lawyer?
To be a good lawyer requires dedication, determination and commitment to excellence. You must have passion reading and must be willing to learn at all times.
What were the high-profile cases you handled?
So many high profile cases have been handled by me. I can mention among them the Appeal of NDIC against Qualitem Pharmacy which I pursued at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. The case had earlier been dismissed by the Appeal and I got the appeal re-heard before the same court of Appeal resulting in the success of the Appeal in favour of my client. The appeal is widely reported and it is a landmark case.
What are the challenges?
Law practice requires patience and doggedness. It is not for the weak. Another challenge is that one must go through tutelage to excel. Many young lawyers nowadays seek quick success without patience and without being mentored. They end up in failure at the end of the day.
What are the criteria of being an SAN?
The criteria of becoming an SAN is multi various. From the number of conducted cases which is 29 in total as of today from Trial Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. You must be a bar person by making your bar practicing fees payment and branch dues as at when due. You have to meet requisite statutory compliances including tax related returns and others and must have a standard law firm with quality library, etc and above all you must be of high moral rectitude and must not be lacking in integrity. The list is long but let me stop here for now.
How do you feel being an SAN?
I feel fulfilled, and I’m grateful to Almighty Allah for His blessings over me throughout this journey.
What are the hurdles as a brand new SAN?
The hurdles after becoming an SAN include how to sustain the rank. You should know that the rank requires sense of leadership at the bar, you are to work hard to keep your head up and to continue to read and be an example for the upcoming ones. I have been coping well before and I will continue to balance the equation, by the special grace of Allah.
What advice would give to upcoming lawyers?
I advise them to be committed to their practice, not to put money first and to exhibit integrity in all they do. They will get to the zenith of their career in no distant time.
