In the early 1970s, Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous and vibrant city, found itself at the centre of an alarming surge in violent crime. Among the figures who emerged from this period of armed robbery and public executions was Babatunde Folorunsho, widely remembered as Baba Oni Lace. His story, though often mixed with folklore, survives in Nigerian history for three reasons: his flamboyant lace attire, his public execution at Bar Beach, and the cultural ripples his death left behind.
Unlike other narratives that blur fact with myth, this account is restricted to verified records, the trial, execution, and cultural legacy of a man who became one of Lagos’s most infamous criminals.
The Origin of the Name “Baba Oni Lace”
Nicknames were common among criminals in 1970s Lagos, but few stuck as firmly as Baba Oni Lace. The title reflected Folorunsho’s unusual penchant for lace fabric, a material that was a powerful marker of prestige in Nigerian society. To wear lace in a period when many ordinary people could not afford it was to announce status and success. For a robber to flaunt such attire added an element of theatre.
Contemporary reports confirm that the nickname was well known by the time of his trial and execution. Some accounts even describe him facing the firing squad in lace, which reinforced his image as a criminal who embraced notoriety to the very end.
Armed Robbery in Post-War Nigeria.
Nigeria’s civil war ended in 1970, but the conflict left behind deep scars and unintended consequences. One of these was the widespread circulation of weapons, which contributed to a rapid increase in armed robbery. Lagos, a fast-growing commercial hub, became a hotspot.
In response, the government enacted strict anti-robbery decrees in 1970. These laws carried the death penalty, with provisions for public executions. Authorities intended the punishment to deter others, and Lagos’s Bar Beach soon became a stage for dramatic state displays of justice.
It was against this backdrop that Folorunsho was arrested and tried.
Trial and Conviction.
In 1971, Babatunde Folorunsho faced charges of armed robbery in Lagos. He was swiftly convicted and sentenced to death. Trials during this era often moved quickly, reflecting both the urgency of curbing violent crime and the political will to demonstrate strong action.
While specific details of his trial, such as the presiding judge or exact charges, are inconsistently reported in later retellings, the outcome is undisputed: conviction for armed robbery and a death sentence.
Execution at Bar Beach.
On 24 July 1971, Folorunsho was executed by firing squad at Bar Beach, Lagos. His execution was not solitary. Alongside him were Joseph Ilobo and Williams Alders Oyazimo, also convicted of armed robbery.
Public executions at Bar Beach were major events, often attended by thousands of onlookers. Crowds gathered not only for the spectacle but also out of curiosity and fear, as the government used such events to send a message: armed robbery would not be tolerated. Press coverage of Folorunsho’s execution was extensive, ensuring his name would remain in Nigeria’s criminal history.
Cultural Impact: Lace, Fashion, and Music.
The execution of Baba Oni Lace had a cultural effect unusual for a criminal case. Because of his well-known nickname and his attachment to lace, the fabric itself briefly carried a negative stigma. Many Lagosians avoided wearing lace in public, fearing it would be linked with the executed robber’s image.
This anxiety was captured in popular music. The renowned juju musician Ebenezer Obey released Oro Nipa Lace (“Talk About Lace”), a song that reflected public discourse around fashion, morality, and crime. By appearing in music, Folorunsho’s story crossed beyond the legal record and into cultural history. His notoriety lived on not only as a crime report but as a social reference point.
Legacy in Nigerian History.
Fifty years later, the story of Baba Oni Lace is still told, not only as part of Nigeria’s criminal justice history but also as a cultural lesson in how society processes crime. His flamboyance, his execution, and the music it inspired highlight the way individuals can become symbols, standing for more than their crimes alone.
His death was intended by the government as a deterrent, but it also became a story that captured how crime, punishment, and culture intertwine. Lace, once simply a symbol of wealth, became tainted with the shadow of a robber’s name. Songs carried his memory, ensuring he remained part of Lagos folklore long after his execution.
What endures is the clarity of the basic facts: a man, a crime, a trial, and an execution witnessed by thousands. But surrounding those facts is the larger story of how Nigerians interpreted and remembered him.
Author’s Note.
Babatunde “Baba Oni Lace” Folorunsho was more than just a criminal statistic in 1970s Lagos. He was a man whose flamboyant fashion and dramatic execution transformed him into a cultural figure, remembered as both a criminal and a cautionary tale.
His execution on 24 July 1971 at Bar Beach was one of the defining spectacles of Nigeria’s early anti-robbery campaign. Unlike folklore that blurs memory with exaggeration, the verified record shows a robber whose lace attire and defiance made him stand out, and whose death became a moment of national reflection.
References:
Yorubaness. “Babatunde Folorunsho – The First Armed Robber To Be Publicly Executed In Nigeria.”
Neusroom. “Babatunde ‘Baba Oni Lace’ Folorunsho, the bandit getaway driver.”
Pulse Nigeria. “Profiling Nigeria’s Notorious Armed Robbers: (Dr. Ishola Oyenusi).”
Ebenezer Obey music catalogue (Oro Nipa Lace).
