According to an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform that tracks and analyzes Nigeria’s Federal Government expenditure, the Ministry of Justice has paid approximately N1.1 billion in professional fees to prominent lawyers and law firms, including Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other firms over three years.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the term “professional services” within legal practice refers to various activities performed by lawyers for their clients, such as offering legal advice, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in legal matters.
These services may also include transactional tasks like identifying legal risks in real estate and business dealings, negotiation, mediation, regulatory compliance, advocacy, lobbying, and risk management.
In July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Babalola was paid N372.9 million on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a court case registered FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023. Olanipekun and Izinyon received N103.6 million and N6.2 million, respectively, for providing similar services at different times. Olanipekun’s payment was made on July 26, while Izinyon received his fee three days later.
Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records shows that in 2022, at least 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7 million as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3 million.
Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records reveals that in 2022, no fewer than 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7m as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3m in 2021.
Among those who received payments in 2022 were Savannah Law Chambers, which was paid N17.4m; Lex Habitae, which received N21.8m; Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, which got N17.4m; and Abdullahi Haruna & Co, which also received N17.4m.
LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m. Sulaiman Salihu & Co was paid N31.4m in two tranches.
Other firms that benefited include Justice Solicitors & Attorneys, which was paid N15.7m; Pelican Legal, which received N15.7m; and Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4m. Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4m, while Savannah Law Chambers received an additional N29m.
Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates received N20.7m, Law Forte was paid N22.3m in two tranches, and Madyan Legal Consult received N24.8m in two tranches.
The 2021 payments included N174m to Mr. Chikwendu Madumere, N21.8m to LDS Legal, N21.8m to Olowolafe & Co, and N100.5m to Sulaiman Salihu & Co, disbursed in two tranches.
As part of their payments, Chief Afe Babalola paid a 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax amounting to N31m to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, while Wole Olanipekun paid N8.6m in VAT.
Both lawyers also paid a 10 per cent withholding tax of N41.4m and N11.5m, respectively, to the Ministry of Justice.
Click here to watch video of the week
Emmanuel Petit expresses concerns over Gabriel Martinelli’s lack of improvement. Petit compares Martinelli’s progress to…
EPL Title Chase Hots Up Arsenal manager, Arteta Says Gunners Not Relenting Promises to Challenge…
Victor Osimhen commits to Galatasaray, rejecting January transfer offers. Premier League clubs show interest, but…