Rotimi Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regional Minister for Local Government | |
| In office 1954–1958 | |
| Preceded by | Obafemi Awolowo |
| Regional Minister for Justice | |
| In office 1958–1960 | |
| Prime Minister | Tafawa Balewa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 December 1920 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Died | 26 March 2005 (aged 84) |
| Political party | Action Group |
Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, QC, SAN (16 December 1920 – 26 March 2005) was a prominent Nigerian lawyer who was the first Nigerian to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.[1] In the 1950s, he was a member of the Action Group and subsequently became the minister for local government and justice. He was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1959. He left politics in the 1960s, as a result of the political crisis in the Western Region of Nigeria.
During his career, he was involved in memorable court cases, such as Lakanmi vs the Western Government of Nigeria, which set the precedent that a military government could not use its power to make laws that will appropriate an individual's property.[2] The Oloye Williams, himself a Yoruba chieftain, was also among a group of lawyers that represented the Oba of Lagos, Adeniji Adele, against challenges by the Nigerian National Democratic Party. The latter had previously gained solidarity and foundation from the ruling House of Docemo in Lagos.[3]
- ^ "Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams (1920 – 2005)" Archived 27 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine Nigerian Guardian Editorial, The Guardian, Nigeria, 2 April 2005.
- ^ "The Man, His Life Max Amuchie". Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
- ^ SanAdmin. "WILLIAMS, Rotimi Q.C., S.A.N." SAN. Retrieved 30 May 2020.[permanent dead link]