John Augustus Otunba Payne (1839 – 1906) was a Nigerian sheriff, administrator and diarist who was a prominent personality in Lagos during the nineteenth century. He was a Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Lagos and he also served as a registrar in various colonial departments such as the Police Court, the Chief Magistrate's Court, the Court of Civil and Criminal Justice and the Petty Debt Court.[1] He produced an annual West African and Lagos Almanac which published some historical notes. He was also the convener of a forum called the Society for the Propagation of Religious Education.
Otunba Payne | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Augustus Otunba Payne 1839 |
| Died | 1906 (aged 66–67) |
| Cause of death | Murder |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Sheriff |
Life
editPayne was born in 1839; his father was from a royal house in Ijebu Ode.[2][3] He was one of the earliest products of CMS Grammar School, Lagos. He was a close friend of James Johnson and was a layman and warden at Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos. He also counselled the Awujale of Ijebuland to allow Christian missionaries. Through his influence, a Christian preacher was allowed to preach in Ago Iwoye.[4]
Payne was also noted for his writings in his annual almanac. One of his entries includes that of the court appearance of ex-Oba Dosunmu, who had been subpoenaed. Payne was charged with administering the solemn oath through an interpreter.[5]
Death
editPayne was murdered in his residence in Lagos by an unknown assailant in 1906.[6] His murder was never solved.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Elias, T. O. (1956). Makers of Nigerian Law. London: Hazell Watson & Viney, p. 13.
- ^ Whiteman, Kaye (2013). Lagos: A Cultural and Literary History Volume 5 of Landscapes of the Imagination. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 9781908493897.
- ^ Okpewho, Isidore; Carole Boyce Davies; Ali A. Mazrui (2001). The African Diaspora: African Origins and New World Identities. Indiana University Press. p. 410. ISBN 9780253214942.
- ^ Peel, J. D. Y., "Conversion and Tradition in Two African Societies: Ijebu and Buganda". Past & Present, No. 77 (November 1977), pp. 108–141.
- ^ Elias, p. 14.
- ^ Gwam, L. C. (1967). Great Nigerians: First Series, Volume 1. Times Press. p. 16.