First Female SAN Dies

First female Senior Advocate from the old Eastern region and the second female legal practitioner in Nigeria to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate, Chief Phoebe C. Ajayi-Obe is dead.

In a message signed by the BOSAN Secretary Seyi Sowemimo, SAN, the Legal Icon died in the early hours of yesterday.

Read the full message 

Learned Silk,

The BOSAN Secretariat wishes to announce the demise of Chief (Mrs.) Phoebe C. Ajayi-Obe SAN, who died in the early hours of yesterday, 28th of June, 2020.

The late Chief (Mrs.) Phoebe C. Ajayi-Obe (Nee Erinne) born on the 21st of March, 1928 (92 years), called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1969, admitted to the Inner Bar in 1989. She was the first female Senior Advocate from the old Eastern region and the second female legal practitioner in Nigeria to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate. She was a native of Okija, in Ihiala Local Government, Anambra State.

She attended St. Monica Girls School, Ogbunike, near Onitsha, Anambra State, and Women Training College, Umuahia, Abia State. She was the first female graduate from the faculty of law, at University of Ife. She married Chief (Dr.) Oyedokun Ajayi-Obe from Ilesha, Osun State.

Chief Mrs. Phoebe C. Ajayi-Obe SAN had her law practice in Ibadan, Oyo State and on the 21st of March, 2018, launched her book titled: “Icon on the Niger” at her 90th Birthday celebration. She is survived by children, grand-children and great-grand-children.

Further information on the funeral arrangements as released by her family will be communicated in due course.

May the soul of Chief (Mrs.) Phoebe C. Ajayi-Obe SAN and the souls of other faithful departed Rest in Peace. Amen

Yours faithfully,

Seyi Sowemimo, SAN
BOSAN Secretary