Nigeria’s legal profession is mourning the death of renowned legal scholar, lawyer and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu (SAN).
Kasunmu died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 92.
His family announced his death in a statement, describing him as a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather who dedicated his life to law, education and public service.
“With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, who departed peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, 9th August 2026,” the family said.
Kasunmu was born on May 23, 1934, in Lagos to parents from Ilesa, Osun State.
He attended Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Reagan Memorial Baptist School and Baptist Academy in Lagos before travelling abroad for further education.
He later studied at University College London, where he obtained Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees.
Kasunmu was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964.
That same year, he began his academic career as one of the pioneer lecturers in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University.
In 1971, he joined the University of Lagos as a senior lecturer and was later promoted to Professor of Law.
He served as Dean of the University of Lagos Faculty of Law from 1973 to 1975.
His work in academia established him as one of the leading legal scholars of his generation.
In 1975, Kasunmu was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, a position he held for three years.
He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on January 25, 1978, making him one of the early members of Nigeria’s Inner Bar.
He was also a Notary Public of Nigeria.
Members of the legal profession have described Kasunmu as a scholar, mentor, advocate and statesman whose work influenced many generations of Nigerian lawyers.
Apart from his work in court and public service, he made significant contributions to legal scholarship.
He jointly authored several important legal books and published many academic articles covering different areas of law.
His legal practice also covered various areas, and he appeared before courts at different levels as well as arbitration panels in Nigeria and other countries.
According to his family, Kasunmu represented Nigerian and foreign clients during his decades-long legal career.
