By Blessing Osamudiamen Taiwo
Human rights activist, lawyer and veteran journalist, Ambassador (Barr.) Prince Sunny Ebhojiaye, has said that combining journalism, his first-choice career, with legal practice has not been difficult for him.
In a recent interview with City Express News, Ebhojiaye acknowledged that legal practice is demanding and time-consuming, making it challenging to pursue another career, such as journalism, alongside it.
“Nevertheless, combining these two noble professions is very interesting,” he said. “Journalism can take you from one place to another, just like legal practice. Both professions demand a great deal of time. The key to managing them successfully is to have competent and trustworthy journalists working with you, as well as capable lawyers in your chambers.”
Ebhojiaye added that balancing the two professions becomes easier when he works with understanding and trustworthy lawyers who appreciate the demanding nature of his responsibilities.
He explained that he had spent 20 years in journalism, building a strong reputation and becoming well known before studying law. He said he employs journalists at City Express Newspaper and lawyers in his chambers, adding that his staff understand his responsibilities and work closely with him.
“From time to time, I attend press conferences with my journalists as they cover important assignments. I also attend court with my lawyers for hearings,” he said.
He described his staff as loyal and said he regarded them as close friends, adding, “Journalism and legal practice are like twin brothers.”
Ebhojiaye said his decision to study law was influenced by an incident in which a police officer slapped him while he was working as a journalist. The incident occurred at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, where the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was based.
He recalled that several officers, including Sergeant Henry and Corporal Friday, popularly known as Friyo, allegedly assaulted him. He added that Friday later died in the United States. Ebhojiaye described himself as a human rights advocate who had often spoken out against injustice.
He said the assault strengthened his resolve to study law and that he had no regrets about his decision.
He further alleged that SARS had turned an investigation involving OBT, which he described as fraud popularly known as “419,” into a robbery case. According to him, he had gone to SARS to investigate the matter when more than seven police officers allegedly beat him.