Tinubu Govt Pays Afe Babalola, Olanipekun, 23 Others ₦1.1 Billion – See Why

The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Justice, has disbursed an estimated ₦1.1 billion in professional fees to top Nigerian lawyers, including Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and 23 other law firms, spanning a period of three years.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that this significant expenditure, as reported by GovSpend, a civic tech platform that monitors government spending, highlights the scale of legal services provided to the government.

Legal services typically include offering legal advice, drafting legal documents, representing clients in court, and managing regulatory compliance, advocacy, and risk management matters. These professional services form the basis of the substantial payments revealed in the report.

In July 2024, Chief Afe Babalola, Wole Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) collectively received ₦482.7 million for services rendered to the Federal Ministry of Justice. A detailed breakdown shows that Babalola was paid ₦372.9 million on July 23 for representing the government in the case FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023. Olanipekun, on the other hand, received ₦103.6 million on July 26, while Izinyon was paid ₦6.2 million just three days later.

The report also includes an analysis of payments made in previous years. In 2022, the Ministry of Justice disbursed ₦359.7 million to 17 different lawyers. In 2021, a total of four lawyers received ₦319.3 million. Notable 2022 recipients included Savannah Law Chambers (₦17.4 million), Lex Habitae (₦21.8 million), Rashida Mohammed & Co (₦17.4 million), and Abdullahi Haruna & Co (₦17.4 million). LDS Legal was paid ₦70.9 million, while law firms such as King’s Chambers, Iwuanyanwu & Co, and Justice Solicitors & Attorneys each received between ₦15.7 million and ₦31.4 million.

In 2021, notable payments included ₦174 million to Chikwendu Madumere, ₦21.8 million to LDS Legal, ₦21.8 million to Olowolafe & Co, and ₦100.5 million to Sulaiman Salihu & Co.

As part of their professional fees, Afe Babalola and Wole Olanipekun also fulfilled their tax obligations. Babalola paid ₦31 million as 7.5% VAT and ₦41.4 million as 10% withholding tax, while Olanipekun paid ₦8.6 million in VAT and ₦11.5 million in withholding tax to the relevant authorities.

This extensive financial commitment underscores the importance of legal expertise in government affairs and the ongoing reliance of the Federal Government on prominent legal practitioners.

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