| Honorific Prefix: | Omoba |
| Otunba Payne | |
| Birth Name: | John Augustus Otunba Payne |
| Birth Date: | 1839 |
| Death Date: | 1906 (aged 66–67) |
| Death Place: | Lagos, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (modern-day Nigeria) |
| Death Cause: | Murder |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Sheriff |
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.
Payne 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]
Payne was murdered in his residence in Lagos by an unknown assailant in 1906.[6] His murder was never solved.