Body of Benchers talks about NBA letter asking Olanipekun to resign

The Body of Benchers (BoB) explained on Friday why it had not deliberated on the letter from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) calling for the suspension of its chairman, Wole Olanipekun.

Mr. Olanipekun has been caught up in a controversy threatening his position as BoB chairman, following allegations of professional misconduct against him and his law firm.

In the scandal that broke in June, Mr. Olanipekun's law firm was accused of "influence peddling".

The NBA has insisted that Mr. Olanipekun, Senior Advocate for Nigeria (SAN) and former NBA President, resign as chairman of the body.

The association, in the letter from its president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), asked Mr. Olanipekun not to preside over Tuesday's bar admission ceremonies in which 4,711 new lawyers were admitted to the occupation.

But despite the call from the NBA, Mr. Olanipekun presided over the call-to-stand ceremony.

"Why the letter from the NBA was not discussed"

The BoB explained in a statement by its secretary, Daniel Tela, that the NBA's letter was not discussed at the December 5 body meeting to finalize arrangements for the award ceremony. registration of new lawyers because it was delivered late to its seat in Abuja.

“The said letter was received at the Secretariat of the Corps of Counselors at 9:32 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022.”

He added that the members did not consider the issue when it was raised by Mr. Maikyau because they had not received the letter and Mr. Olanipekun to whom it was addressed had not not had a chance to respond to the letter before the NBA president spoke about it.

Mr. Tela further stated that, other than the fact that the NBA's letter was addressed to Mr. Olanipekun, it was not an item on the agenda of the body's meeting that had been scheduled since the November 14.

He added that the letter was posted on social media before it was received at BoB headquarters at exactly 9:32 a.m. on December 5, the day of the meeting, therefore, it was not ripe for the talk.

Background

It will be recalled that Adekunbi Ogunde, a partner in Mr. Olanipekun's firm, was caught soliciting briefs for the law firm in alleged violation of the lawyers' code of conduct in June.

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PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms. Ogunde informed the potential client, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, that Mr. Olanipekun's presence in a deal "will significantly change things in Sapiem's ​​favour".

More complete version of the BoB letter

“It is common knowledge that the media (print and social media) have been abuzz with reports regarding the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) call for the Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) will not preside over call-to-bar ceremonies.

"This widely publicized appeal saturated the media space from Sunday, December 4, 2022 until today." At the meeting of the College of Counselors held on Monday, December 5, 2022, notice of which was given on November 14, 2022, the only point of discussion was the consideration of the report of the selection committee of the Corps, preparatory to the ceremonies of call to the bar.

"The report has been duly reviewed and approved.

“Under the AOB, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association informed members that he had written a letter to the President of the body to which the President stated that although he had not read the letter because it had not yet been brought to his attention, he was aware that it had already circulated in the media, especially social networks.

"And despite the fact that the letter was addressed to him personally and not to the Corps, ...