LPDC disbars lawyer entangled in alleged Olanipekun’s influence peddling in judiciary
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Adekunbi Ogunde has been struck out from the roll of lawyers in Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for admitting in 2022 to sending an email to SAIPEM Oil to take its case from another law firm and give it to the one headed by Wale Olanipekun, SAN, her principal who she boasted has corrupt influence over all Judges across the country.
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) spokesman Akorede Lawal told TheCable the decision to disbar was reached on Thursday after investigation of the allegations against Ogunde, a partner at the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co., from which she has since resigned.
The sanction “is subject to the right of appeal of the counsel to the Supreme Court,” Lawal explained.
Ogunde, when she was a partner in the law firm of Olanipekun, former Body of Benchers Chairman, admitted in June 2022 to sending an email to SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria soliciting a brief in a matter against the Rivers State Government.
Despite being aware the law firm of Okeke & Ajumogobia, SAN was already handling the case, Ogunde asked SAIPEM to consider hiring Olanipekun & Co because Olanipekun has more “influence” with Judges across all courts in Nigeria.
The NBA noted Ogunde sent the email to SAIPEM to solicit for a brief after the Rivers State government preferred charges against the company over allegation of $130 million fraud.
Okeke & Ajumogobia was already defending SAIPEM but Ogunde told the management in the email to consider hiring Olanipekun & Co to take over the case.
She claimed Olanipekun has more “influence” with judges across all courts.
Ogunde’s email, which the NBA released at the time, said:
“I believe that you need a more influential lawyer/law firm to prevent a potential huge pay out to the Rivers State Government and without a doubt, I believe that my law firm, Wole Olanipekun & Co., can help in this regard.
“A quick research about Wole Olanipekun & Co. will show that the law firm is the leading litigation firm that has helped other multinationals in sensitive, highly political matters.
“It will also reveal that the presence of our lead partner, Chief Olanipekun SAN, OFR, in the matter will significantly switch things in favour of SAIPEM.
“Chief Olanipekun SAN, OFR is currently the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, which is the highest ruling body in the Nigerian legal profession, made up of Supreme Court Judges, Presiding Justices of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges of all State High Courts, including the Rivers State High Court.
“In order words, Chief Olanipekun SAN, OFR, is the head of the entire legal profession in Nigeria.
“Wole Olanipekun & Co. has also helped other multinationals, such as in the famous cases of MTN tax dispute, Shell Petroleum, Equinor (former Statoil) dispute etc. avoid huge pay outs in more complex, sensitive and highly-political matters.
“We are aware that another law firm is currently in the matter but you will agree that highly-sensitive and political matters require more influence. We are happy to work with the current lawyers to achieve the desired results.
“I hope that you consider this so as to help SAIPEM avoid a huge pay out in claims and I am happy to set up a meeting to discuss further.”
Olanipekun has since apologised to Ajumogobia, saying he never approved the email that Ogunde sent. Ogunde herself also apologised to Ajumogobia for the embarrassment, blaming her action on exuberance.
In a petition sent to the LPDC on 20 July 2022, the NBA asked the LPDC
- To prosecute Ogunde over “professional misconduct”.
- Consider whether the partners of Wole Olanipekun & Co were not liable to be disciplined alongside Ogunde, considering Ogunde’s ostensible authority to act as a partner and her actions on behalf of the firm.
- Demanded Olanipekun resign on the grounds he could influence the processes of the LPDC since the committee is under the supervision of the Body of Benchers Chairman, which he was at the time.
In August 2022, Ogunde announced the issue had affected her psychologically and she would take a break from practice.
She said after “consulting with family and the firm, and after a deep and thorough examination of all the facets of this hydra-headed problem”, she decided to “take a leave of absence from legal practice and get involved in the community and social work pro bono, with a few selected NGOs.”
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