On August 2, 1956, at Massey Street Hospital
in Lagos, Nigeria, Mrs. Janet Adebisi Aluko (decd.), the wife of
Dr. Timothy Mofolorunso Aluko gave birth to their fourth child who
was named BANKOLE OLUMIDE ALUKO.
His Education
BANKOLE OLUMIDE ALUKO (S.A.N) or simply ‘Kole,
started his education at Maryhill Convent School in Ibadan.
He sat for the Common Entrance Examination and was one of the sixty
students nationwide that were admitted into Kings College, Lagos
in 1968.
At Kings College, his brilliance, leadership qualities and literary
capabilities were quickly discovered. He was a leading member of
the Literary and Debating Society and Drama Club. He was also House
Captain of Hyde-Johnson's House and Secretary of the School Students
Union.
His love for sports was also obvious and he was a member of the
School's football team (KC Lions) and held the No.3 shirt as left
full back for many years. He was also a member of the School's Hockey
team.
In the West African School Certificate Examinations in 1972, ‘Kole
obtained a Grade 1.
Bankole was admitted into the University of Lagos to study Law where
he excelled and won various awards including The Federal Government
of Nigeria Merit Award for overall best performance in the University
of Lagos(1975) and a place in the 1977 Final round of the Phillip
C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition, San Francisco California,
USA. He graduated in 1977 with an LL.B (Hons), Second Class Upper.
In 1978 Bankole was called to The
Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School, where was
awarded the Chief Rotimi Williams Award for best performance in
Conveyancing and Legal drafting. He continued to The London School
of Economics (LSE) University of London where in 1981 he obtained
a Masters degree in Law (LL. M)
His Professional Career
BANKOLE OLUMIDE ALUKO (S.A.N) started his
professional career as an Associate in the Law firm of J. B Majiyagbe
& Co in 1978 in Kano. In 1981, he joined the firm of Messrs.
Kehinde Sofola & Co and worked there till 1983. Thereafter,
he joined Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers and was Leading Counsel
up till 1990 when he was invited to join the Partnership of Ajumogobia,
Okeke & Oyebode.
In 1993, the partnership of Aluko & Oyebode was formed.
In the course of his professional career, Bankole became a Fellow
of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was a member of the
International Bar Association. He successfully litigated and arbitrated
diverse claims in all parts of Nigeria. In 1997, he was awarded
the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
In 1988 Bankole married Ehimwenma Abiodun Aluko (nee Eke) and they
were blessed with three sons; Olasubomi, Lawale and Kolapo.
Bankole, was a perfect gentleman
and a stickler for detail. A perfectionist in all his ways from
his work down to the tiniest detail of his appearance.
