Iyanda: Law not a money-spraying profession
- Peter Moses
- Jul 1, 2015
- 3 min read
From journalism, he ventured into the legal field where he had traversed various courts in Nigeria. The budding lawyer, Barrister Iyanda Ismail Kola, popularly known as I.K Iyanda is no doubt making his mark in the legal profession.
His short stint in journalism was based on National Diploma Certificate he obtained from Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara State. "I was a regular columnist in the Nation and Nigerian Tribune Newspapers in the years 2012 and 2013 before law practices consumes my time," Iyanda recalled.
Pilot Judiciary probes why Iyanda dumped journalism for law and he responded: "Being an Art Student, Law and Journalism have been my preference over other courses, but law top most. I did not get admission for law in the first two attempts I made. So, I went for Mass Communication at Federal Polytechnic, Offa. Later when I sat for JAMB, I was offered admission at 'Better by Far University.'
A further probe challenged Iyanda whether he dumped journalism because of the lucrative nature of law; he said: "My simple answer would be that law as it's is not a money-spraying profession. Challenges faced by other graduates are the same challenges new wigs are facing. That is why you see some new wigs opting out of the profession prematurely because their expectations are fallen. As a new wig, I started with much of pro bono cases. Within the shortest period and with God's guidance and hints from senior colleagues, I have defended and won a land matter in the High Court of Justice, Ilorin."
Iyanda described his law practice experience so far as 'very tasking one.' He added that "reading and writing are the basics of law practice. For a beginner, it has been rough and tough financially."
The budding lawyer said advocating for the masses, especially the less privileges made him chose law profession.
He also had intention to be medical but I opted out of science class because I was Math-phobia."
On corruption in the Nigeria judiciary, Iyadan opined that "corruption is not limited to the judiciary, rather it is a canker worm, which has eaten deep into each and every sector... judicial independence to a large extent would limit the perceived corruption in the judiciary."
Speaking on agitation and lamentation by new wigs of being paid pittance by senior colleagues, he said: "yes because there is no any relief package for the new Wigs...Though I am not distracted about the pittance because my focus is to be an international lawyer.
On his ambition in the next years in the profession, Iyanda said: "If God spares my life beyond then, my wish is to get to the Echelon of the bar......and probably be a PHD holder."
Speaking on the dust raised by the election of Dr Bukola Saraki as Senate President of the 8th Senate, he submitted that: "Nigerian politicians are the same; today Senator Bukola Saraki got it right tomorrow may not be his......though his election stands in law because 9th June is the day slated for the 8th Assembly inauguration and the aggrieved senators could not substantiate their absence with convincing excuses and beside, 57 is more than 38 of the required 1/3 to form a quorum..."
He equally, said: "Respect for rule of law would to a large extent develop our democracy because a jurist had once said that rule of law and democracy are like Siamese twins, the practice of one leads to sustainability of the other..."
His message for his colleagues is that of endurance, perseverance and prayer as "the key to success because tough time never last, only the tough people do..."
The promising lawyer holds LLB degree from University of Ilorin and presently enrolled at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The Ilorin-based legal practitioner practices with Femi Makinde & co, a law firm base in Kwara State capital.
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