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Ladi, first son of the late legal luminary, Chief Fredrick Rotimi Williams (SAN), died of the coronavirus in the early hours of yesterday. He was 74.

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According to his son, Kunle, the legal luminary was fully vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

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“My father passed away this morning from COVID despite being double vaccinated with Oxford AstraZeneca”, Kunle reportedly said in a post on his Facebook page.

Also confirming the death, Ladi’s younger brother, Chief Kayode Rotimi-Williams, said: “I just lost my elder brother, Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams (aged 74+) to Coronavirus. He passed on at 3a.m. this morning.”

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Until his death, Ladi was the principal/ founding partner of Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams’ Chambers.

He was appointed as a member of the Constitutional Drafting Committee in 1988. He was also appointed a director of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

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His service to other industries has seen him on the board of corporations such as UPS/IMNL and Mutual Benefits Assurance.

Ladi was called to the Nigerian bar about 48 years ago and became a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1995.

He and his father, fondly called ‘Timi the law’, were the first father and son to become SAN.

Reacting, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, mourned Ladi’s death.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Williams’ death left many in shock, particularly his close friends and professional colleagues.

“The President joins the NBA and Body of Benchers in mourning the legal luminary, whose passion for jurisprudence and national development will be sorely missed.

“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will comfort family, friends and associates of Chief Ladi Williams, and accept the soul of the departed”, the statement said.

NBA President Olumide Akpata said Ladi’s death left him devastated.

Akpata said the death was a personal loss to him and his family.

He described the deceased as a mentor, big brother, great guy and nice person, adding that like him, Ladi was an alumnus of Kings College, who succeeded in his craft.

Secretary, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN) described Ladi’s death as a big loss to the legal profession.

“He had a very good disposition from my interactions with him. He was a good advocate. He would be sorely missed at the inner bar,” Sowemimo said.

Another SAN, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, agreed that the death was a big loss to the legal profession and particularly BOSAN.

“He was one of our prominent members in BOSAN. We will miss him a great deal”, Fagbohungbe said.

Lead partner, K and C Law Firm, Kelechukwu Uzoka, who once worked with the deceased, described Ladi death “as unfortunate”, adding that his death came as a shock to many lawyers.

“The bar is grieving. We have lost a legal icon. We pray Lord to grant his soul a peaceful rest,” Uzoka said.

University of Lagos law teacher Wahab Shittu described the death as “shockingly unbelievable.

We mourn.”

“He was personable, sociable, friendly, nice and decent. I had very close interaction with the departed silk.

“We had mutual respect for one another. He drew me close to him like he did several others. No airs, none at all.”

“His death undoubtedly is a huge loss to the legal profession and the Nigerian society in general. He will be sorely missed.”

Ladi, on July 5, 2021, dragged the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) before a Federal High Court in Lagos to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the indebtedness of his brother, Folarin and two others in relation to the estate of their late father.

The deceased and his three siblings have been at war over their dad’s estate since his death on March 26, 2005.

Sources: www.thenationonlineng.net