Chronicles of Nigeria’s legal and political developments reveal outstanding navigational buoys, the floating anchored devices that serve as Aid to Navigation (AtoN) in the ocean of legal profession and body polity.
One of such personalities is Mohammed Bello Adoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a distinguished son of the Ebira ethnic extraction, whose life and works exemplify unwavering integrity, resilience, and a profound commitment to justice.
Through his seminal books, Burden of Service: Reminiscences of Nigeria’s Former Attorney-General (2019) and OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block (2025), Adoke has not only chronicled his remarkable journey but also etched an enduring legacy of truth, courage, and service to Nigeria.
Adoke has proved to be a true reflection of noblity and virtues of the Ebira people, whose cultural heritage of honor, resilience, and communal solidarity resonate deeply in his contributions. Hailing from Nagazi in Kogi State, he embodies the quintessential Ebira spirit — a people renowned for their industriousness, moral fortitude, and unyielding dedication to fairness. The Ebira, from Nigeria’s North Central, are a community steeped in values of honesty, hard work, and collective responsibility, traits that have shaped Adoke’s illustrious career as a SAN and Attorney General of the Federation (2010–2015).
His rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s legal profession mirrors the Ebira ethos of perseverance, where challenges are met with resolve and dignity. In burden of service, Adoke offers a window into his tenure as Nigeria’s chief legal officer, where he championed landmark reforms such as the Evidence Act 2011, Freedom of Information Act 2011, and Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. These achievements reflect not only his legal acumen but also the Ebira principle of the Adeika descendants — a commitment to serving the greater good with integrity.
His role in recovering the Abacha loot and navigating complex international settlements, like the Ajaokuta Steel case, underscores a character rooted in the Ebira value of Izeiza (honesty), ensuring Nigeria’s interests were protected without compromise.
The launch of OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block on 10 July 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja stands as a testament to Adoke’s courage and moral clarity. This memoir confronts the contentious OPL 245 oil block deal, a saga that saw him unjustly vilified, arrested, and forced into exile. Yet, true to the Ebira spirit of (resilience in the face of adversity), Adoke faced these trials with grace, emerging vindicated by courts in Nigeria, Italy, and the United Kingdom, which found no evidence of fraud or corruption. His account exposes a web of political vendettas and international intrigues, yet he writes not with bitterness but with forgiveness—a reflection of the Ebira’s cultural emphasis on reconciliation and peace.
Adoke’s uprightness shines through his refusal to bow to pressure during the OPL 245 negotiations, prioritizing Nigeria’s interest over personal gain. His legal advice averted a $2 billion liability at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, a feat that saved the nation from financial ruin.
This selfless act echoes the Ebira tradition where individual honor is tied to collective welfare. At the book’s launch, luminaries like former President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded Adoke’s steadfastness, with Jonathan describing the memoir as a “victory over persecution” and Shettima urging public officials to emulate Adoke’s transparency.
The Ebira people are known for their intellectual rigor and commitment to truth, qualities vividly displayed in Adoke’s meticulous documentation of his stewardship. His books break the culture of silence among Nigerian public officials, offering a historical record that educates and inspires. As former Senate President Bukola Saraki noted, Adoke’s “intellectual courage” in confronting the OPL 245 controversy head-on reflects the Ebira’s fearless pursuit of justice, even at great personal cost. The toll of his persecution — damage to his reputation, family, and business — did not deter him, mirroring the Ebira proverb, Wa si Óchi ti iza, irema ani ohun (One will always be vindicated by being just).
His forgiveness of those who wronged him, as expressed in OPL 245, reflects the Ebira’s communal harmony, where reconciliation strengthens the collective. This magnanimity, coupled with his contributions to Nigeria’s legal framework, positions Adoke as a moral exemplar, not just for the Ebira but for all Nigerians.
To the Ebira people, Mohammed Bello Adoke is a proud ambassador, embodying their virtues of integrity, resilience, and service. His life’s work, as captured in his books, is a clarion call to uphold truth in the face of adversity. As we celebrate this legal icon, we honor the Ebira heritage that shaped him — a heritage that continues to inspire generations to stand firm, serve selflessly, and pursue justice with unwavering resolve. Adoke’s legacy, like the Ebira spirit, is a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a just and transparent Nigeria.
Isah is a public affairs commentator and social justice advocate. Email: isah1450@gmail.com
