Name John Payne | ||
Omoba John Augustus Otunba Payne was a Nigerian 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. 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.
Payne was born in 1839, his father was from a royal house in Ijebu Ode. 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 counseled the Awujale of Ijebuland to allow Christian missionaries. Through his influence, a Christian preacher was allowed to preach in Ago Iwoye.
Payne was also noted for his writings in his annual almanac. One of his jottings includes the court appearance of ex Oba Dosunmu after being sub poenaed. Payne was charged with administering the solemn oath through an interpreter.
He was murdered in his residence in Lagos by an unknown assailant.