24th November, 2012
By Funsho Adegbola
The Honourable Justice Kayode is a father and grandfather to me and my children. I came to know and love him in the early 70s when I was in St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan. His wife, Mrs. Aina Eso was my mum’s best friend. In the 70s we had a mutual South African family friend, the Rankoes.
My parents had known Justice Eso from his early days of legal practice in Northern Nigeria, and Jos in particular. My dad was especially proud of him because not only was he a leading light in the legal profession, he, like my dad, was a proud Ijesa man.
It was during his tenure as Chief Judge of the old Oyo State that my mum became a Judge of the High Court on 1st June 1977. He was a most distinguished judge and justice, rising to the apex court, the Supreme Court.
His erudite judgements especially at historic moments in Nigeria are indelible and irrefutable proof of the measure of this learned jurist.
He always stood on the side of truth and justice. He was fearless and would always speak truth to power.
In August 1988, he was Chairman at my wedding. In December 1989, he was chairman at my late brother, Babatunde’s wedding.
When I was being called to the Nigerian Bar, he was one of the Benchers who signed my call to the bar form. This year he did the same for my son, Kayode. I am happy that my son passed the Bar finals in his lifetime and he prayed for him on the day he went to buy his wig and gown. We took pictures with him that day in September, not knowing that would be the last time. I spoke to him on the phone about two weeks ago.
Grandpa was a good man. He loved his wife to bits and he wasn’t ashamed to show it. The two of them were always well-dressed and supported each other’s dream and profession. He was able to excel in his judicial duties because he had a beautiful, supportive wife and home. He also supported the Bodija International School and College, which were his wife’s vision. He was self-assured and so allowed his wife to fulfill her own life’s purpose. The two of them were my own ‘dream couple.’ Whenever he was going out or coming in, he would kiss his ‘Darling’ on the lips even at 87! He showed us that the best Ijesa man, even though a Justice of the Supreme Court, can be romantic!
Even though they were very different personalities, yet very much in love. She was a devout Catholic and he was a committed Methodist. She was from Warri, he was from Ilesa- yet their love and utmost devotion to each other was unparalleled!
After his wife’s accident in late December 2010, he committed himself totally to her welfare and restoration of her good health. From that fateful day and the entire year 2011, he was always at her side ministering to her needs. One day, as he sat by her, he told me that he prayed she would not pre-decease him and God heard his prayers. I am happy that his wife also had the opportunity to look after him to the end, because she had now gained her strength back. I am thankful to God that he lived a fulfilled and impactful life.
I became closer to the Esos in the last ten years when both my parents died. They became ‘in loco parentis’ to me and my children. My daughter swapped places with her late grandmother, and became Grandma Eso’s Best Friend! Throughout the emotional rollercoaster of my dad’s murder trial and the consequent death of my mum, they stood by and with us. Since 2003, they attended every significant event of our lives-my husband’s 50th, the 15th anniversary of my school, my book presentation etc.
Whenever I had good or bad news their home was my first port of call.
•Mrs. Adegbola is the proprietress of the Vale College, in Ibadan.