Emmanuel Akitoye Akinbowale Olasumbo Coker was a Nigerian lawyer and son of an African independent Church pioneer, Jacob Kehinde Coker. While alive, he was an Abeokuta power broker and supported the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Lipede in times the latter was involved in local dispute though Coker’s chief title that of Apena was bestowed on him by Lipede’s predecessor.

NAME: Emmanuel Akitoye Akinbowale Olasumbo Coker

FATHER: Jacob Kehinde Coker.

OCCUPATION: Lawyer

EDUCATION: He was educated at Abeokuta Grammar School and Lincolns Inns, London. Prior to entering the latter, he stayed with Kolawole Balogun while searching for a law school to attend. He completed his legal studies in 1954 and was subsequently called to the bar. He then returned to Nigeria and later set up a practice in Abeokuta.

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Coker’s first major case was defending a door to door handbag seller who was bitten by a dog after the animal ran towards the seller after being commanded catch am by the owner, a white European. The seller, an Hausa man was severely injured and fell on the ground, the European came towards him and kicked him while down while warning him not to come to his residence again. Coker was able to secure victory for the handbag seller. He went on to have a productive legal career culminating with the conferment of a senior advocate of Nigeria on him in 1984.

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