The entire family of Chief Hon. Justice Olubode Popoola JP is grateful for all your prayers and well wishes. We understand that many of you would like to support the family at this time. If you would like to make a donation please do so via the following account:

Account Holder: Dr. Abiodun Popoola

(Nigeria)
GTBank Plc
Acc No: 0014216960

(UK)
Lloyds Bank
Sort Code: 30-91-79
Account No: 00888266

May God richly bless you.

IMPORTANT: Zoom details for the Service of Songs

Emmanuel Awosanmi is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Chief Hon. Justice Moses Akanbi Bode Popoola JP Service of Songs at St. Jude's Anglican church, Lagos
Time: Jun 22, 2022 04:50 PM Africa/Lagos

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74467414564?pwd=CeeNdtk5__qLX3eFgKpU4uuu9Se_xm.1

Meeting ID: 744 6741 4564
Passcode: 7Whcj9

BIOGRAPHY

Early life
The Hon. Justice Moses Olubode Akanbi Popoola was born on 14th June 1936 in Sefu Ota, a small village within Ogun State. His father, Papa Daniel Sobanke Popoola, was a carpenter and cocoa farmer; his mother, Mrs. Marian Oliwunde Agbeke Popoola, sold ofada rice and soup that was dearly cherished by the people – the aroma of which could be sensed from afar!
 
Academic pursuits and his illustrious career in legal practice
The Hon. Justice Bode Popoola attended St. John’s Anglican School (Igbein, Abeokuta) for his primary education (1944-1948), and, in recognition of his impressive academic record, became the school’s Senior Prefect in 1948. In 1949, he proceeded to the central school (Ake, Abeokuta), and in 1950, enrolled at Abeokuta Grammar School, where he continued his studies thereafter (1950-1955). During his final year of study there, he sat an entrance exam for the Bank of British West Africa (now First Bank of Nigeria) and performed excellently, thus receiving an automatic offer of employment with them. There he worked until 1960, at which point his ongoing academic pursuits took him overseas.
 
Between 1960 and 1964, the Hon. Justice Bode Popoola studied in London, at both the Lincoln’s Inn and the Holborn College of Laws and Commerce. He was called to the English Bar on 4th February 1964 and returned to Nigeria the following year to study for a final 3 months at the Nigerian Law School (Sep-Dec 1965). On 21st January 1966, he was accepted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and actively practiced law in that capacity for the following 24 years, predominantly in the states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, and Delta. During this time, he single-handedly founded the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, which, decades later, continues to uphold the principle of Rule of Law in Ikeja. From its inception in 1977 until 1983, he served as the association’s first General Secretary; in 1984, he was elected National Treasurer; and in 1988, he became the association’s 5th ever Chairman. In 1990, after over two decades of legal practice, he was elevated to the Bench, being appointed on 19th October 1991 as a Judge of the High Court of Ogun State of Nigeria. Across the course of this appointment, he was affiliated with several judicial divisions, including Sagamu, Abeokuta, and Ilaro, dealing with legal disputes concerning chieftaincy, land, armed robbery, and other civil and criminal matters. After a long, illustrious career, the Hon. Justice Bode Popoola retired gracefully on 13th June 2003.
 
Family life
Daddy had a rich family life. He was happily married and was blessed with 5 amazing children (Yemisi, Abiodun, Temitope, Babajide, and Oluwatosin), 14 wonderful grandchildren (Temitope, Titilayo, Emmanuel, Samuel, Abraham, Victor, Victoria, Alexander, Bose, Michael, Tobi, Temisire, Temisayo, and Temisola) and 1 beautiful great-grandchild (Boluwatife) at the time of writing. Daddy loved his family. He truly cared about them a great deal, wanting nothing but their joy and the success of their endeavours. He was incredibly supportive of them all, and cherished every opportunity to spend time with them, both at home and abroad. He treasured these moments, often remarking how grateful and humbled he was to have been able to experience them in his lifetime. He was not alone in that sentiment – truly, this time spent together was beautiful.
 
Journey to Christ
Daddy found Jesus and loved him dearly. In 2000, he wrote to his son in the United Kingdom: “Wonders will never cease – I am born again!”. Thereafter, he fellowshipped with Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), where he developed a profound relationship with Christ through regular bible studies. He was heavily involved with the Church, particularly at the Cathedral of St. Jude (Ebute Metta, Lagos), where he served the Lord faithfully for many years. His faithful and dedicated service of the Lord was recognised by the church, and he was awarded a Certificate of Honour. He was the Choir Warden for the church between 1988 and 1991, and a member of several other choirs, including the Christian Unity Band. In fact, Daddy started choir life at St. John’s Church (Igbein, Abeokuta), assisting from 1945 to 1955. In this same church, in 1991, Daddy was appointed a member of the Parish Council, due to his willingness and readiness to serve the Lord faithfully. His faithfulness is exemplified by his acts of selfless service, such as providing a bursary for brilliant students within the church who could not afford to study or donating classroom books and musical instruments to churches throughout Abeokuta.
 
Most recently (just prior to his passing), when asked how his faith was, he responded plainly. “I don’t have anybody but Jesus”. We have every confidence that his love for Christ was true and unwavering.
 
Our hearts are full. Thank You Lord that Daddy was given the opportunity to live a long and beautiful life of obedience and service. Thank You Lord for the man that he was. For his gracefulness, for his humour, and especially for his faith in You. His impact on us all will not soon be forgotten.
 
Honours of Clubs and Other Organisations
- Certificate of Honour by the Parish Council of the Cathedral of St. Jude for meritorious and dedicated service to the church (1986)
- Certificate of Merit by the Rotary Club of Opebi/Ikeja for appreciation of his services as 5th President of the chapter (1987/8)
- Served as Chairman and member of the Local Government / National Assembly Election Tribunal to Osun, Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun states (Jan-May 1999)
- Made the Okanlomo of Igbeinland in recognition of his selfless service and enormous contributions to the socio-economic growth, development, welfare, and general wellbeing of the people of Igbeinland (2005)
- Egba Christian Chiefs Council (Abeokuta): Certificate as the Balogun of Igbein Christians (2006); Certificate as the Baamofin of Egba Christians (2007)
- Certificate of Equipping the Saints from Equipping the Saints (ETS) Bible School (2011)
- Certificate of Honour and Ordination as an Ambassador of East 1 Auxiliary in recognition for the progress of the Gospel of Christ (2012)
- Sportsman at Lagos Country Club (table tennis and darts) and in diverse capacities at Abeokuta Sports Club (where he was notably a Vice Patron)
- Devoted singer in diverse church choirs