Following its findings that Adekunbi Ogunde a partner with the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct For Legal Practitioners, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has struck off her name from the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria.
The LPDC reportedly handed down its decision on Thursday after investigating the allegations against Ms. Ogunde.
The controversy surrounding Ogunde began when it was reported that she had written an email to Saipem Oil Ltd, an international oil company, soliciting the company’s brief in a matter against the Rivers State Government.
The brief had already been settled by the law firm of Okeke & Ajumogobia. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) swiftly instituted disciplinary proceedings against Ogunde for violation of the sacred rules of professional conduct, particularly Rule 1.
In a petition dated July 19, 2022, the NBA prayed the LPDC to immediately commence the disciplinary process and prosecute Ogunde. The petition also sought the LPDC’s opinion on whether the partners of Wole Olanipekun & Co. should also be disciplined, considering Ogunde’s ostensible authority to act as a partner and her actions on behalf of the firm.
The petition, numbered BB/LPDC/901/2022, was filed by NBA 1st Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, who stated that Ogunde was expected to exhibit and maintain a very high standard of conduct, professionalism, and respect for the integrity of the court and the judicial process when discharging her professional duties.
The NBA noted that members of the Association were taken aback by the contents of the letter, which allegedly originated from the esteemed office of Wole Olanipekun & Co. The letter was seen as an unprofessional and surreptitious attempt to solicit a brief from Saipem SPA, knowing that another firm was already handling the case. The letter also touted the supposed overriding influence of the firm’s principal partner, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who was the chairman of the Body of Benchers and a respected past President of the NBA.
The legal profession and the general public were disturbed by this infamous letter, and the NBA had hoped that the allegations were false. However, letters from Wole Olanipekun & Co. apologizing for Ogunde’s actions and disclaiming her confirmed the authenticity of the allegations.
Credits: The Nigeria Lawyer
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