The Quintessential Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN… A Tribute! By Muhammad Balarabe Dan’Azumi, Esq.
With ease and seasoned grace, he lived a life of honor. He lost himself in the shaming of avarice and haughtiness, arrogance and countless vices that so many “successful” persons have fallen into. He survived the fatal call of the sirens of the legal gauntlet not by guile but by sheer humility, honesty and moderation.
The man was a rare jewel amidst stones and an epitome of humility.
Our paths crossed on a fateful evening in 2006 to lead us in the prosecution of a homicide trial involving the brutal murder of the matriarch of the Rimi family, a one-time first lady of Kano State. It was another historic trial in the ancient city that has had its fair share in the legal landscape. It was no ordinary case as he was invited and handed the brief by another legendary prosecutor; Aliyu Umar, SAN of blessed memories.
We were introduced to a very “ordinary” looking gentleman devoid of the display of the trappings of the grandeur of wealth and position that characterized many lawyers of the inner caucus of the hallowed temple.
He was always smiling, encouraging and homely from the start and remained so all through the high-profile trial with the Legendary Wole Olanipekun SAN as the lead defense counsel.
He was an avid reader of books, a dogged fighter in court and a courteous fellow that always displayed the highest level of humility, decorum and civility.
He was always quick in shifting from his position when shown a truthful and superior reason even from adversaries in court.! Such were his thoroughbred attributes!
He once sent me on an errand to a late Justice of the Supreme Court many years after the jurist’s retirement and the late sage remarked ” Ustaz is like a bosom son to me and I have no problem taking a gift as a father would, from his loving son may Allah bless him! “
I recall the countless occasions where I witnessed first hand how petty traders and hawkers selling items, beggers and hangers- on always lay siege outside his office to await his coming down the building to pray outside where he would direct his lunch to be brought out and he would gladly share the meal with them!
Thousands of accolades and requiem followed the news of his departure from this terrestrial divide but that of Sir MN Duru stands apart and which I hereby reproduce:-
“Incredible. Sad news. Never met a more humble person. I once had a matter for mention at the Court of Appeal Kaduna, that I couldn’t attend. I called upon the learned Silk to send a junior of his to hold my brief in the matter which by the way was non contentious. Instead, the learned Silk appeared himself and actually held my brief! I couldn’t stop thanking him. His humility defied every reason. I learnt a great lesson from that. May his soul rest in peace. May his family and friends be consoled. I am very sad.”
Ustaz never keeps money for the next day and lived one day at a time! He shared with all, loves all and keeps malice with none. His motto has always been, ” it [showing off] is all vanity and the success of one should be the success of all.’
His attitude brings to mind the famous saying: ” _Of great riches, there is no real use, except it be in distribution; the rest is but conceit.
The legal profession surely lost a pillar, an avatar of hope. A rare breed of mentor that stopped at nothing to carry others along. He took all young lawyers as his children and allowed all to drink freely from his fountain of immense wisdom and erudition.
He was generously endowed with an equanimity of heart and a fast forgiving spirit.
His attitude towards healthy temperament and peaceful disposition is highly delightful. His generosity to all and sundry is exceptional, and his positivity in solving intricate matters was amazing. He passes no one without a smile and his joyful and Spartan lifestyle is indescribable. He will be buoyant materially in an hour and in the next few minutes, he has nothing left in his pockets! Such was the noble man, Yunus Ustaz Usman. The son of a famous scholar from a family of men whose pedigree is enviable.
Ustaz it was who offered me a research role privately in the 2019 Presidential elections after I was uncharitably labelled a PDP sympathizer in my State and paid me most handsomely!
It was his wisdom and advice that guided many a young lawyer to conquer fear and take a leap into the unknown with faith and steadfastness and it wasn’t surprising that his last SMS to me was:-
” Baba Lawyer, Please, help us pray as the 4th lawyer in my family (Fatima Ustaz Usman) will be called to the Bar by the Will of GOD on Tuesday, 5th March. Kindly attend a small lunch in her honour in my house by 4pm on the same day.”
Certainly, like a Hausa adage, ”Barewa bata gudu, danta yayi rarrafe”_ “The gazelle doesn’t gallop or sprint while it’s fawn lags behind.
It is pleasing that the four lion cubs are showing remarkable traits already.
We are truly proud of these rare breeds of the finest lawyers and pray that they not only wear the cap but do so most fittingly.
Adieu Ezenyi- Ndigbo I. Ajiyan Kura.
May Allah accept your soul and raise you in ranking in the hereafter. Amin.
Dan’Azumi. FICMC, a Legal Practitioner & Notary Public, formerly, Judge of the High Court, Banjul, The Gambia writes from Kano and can be reached at mbdanazumi@gmail.com
