The Federal Government of Nigeria, through its Ministry of Justice, has disbursed around N1.1 billion in professional fees to Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other legal firms over the past three years.
This information was uncovered through an analysis conducted by GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks the government’s financial spending.
Legal services encompass a wide range of activities such as providing legal counsel, preparing legal documents, representing clients in court, and offering services in various transactional activities.
This can include evaluating legal risks in real estate or business transactions, negotiating deals, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing legal risks.
In July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received a sum of N482.7 million from the Ministry of Justice.
Babalola was paid N372.9 million on July 23 for his representation of the Federal Government in a specific case (FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023), while Olanipekun and Izinyon received payments of N103.6 million and N6.2 million, respectively, for similar legal services provided at different times.
Olanipekun’s payment was processed on July 26, and Izinyon received his fee three days later.
An examination of the Ministry of Justice’s payment records revealed that in 2022, 17 lawyers were paid a total of N359.7 million for their professional services, and in 2021, four lawyers received N319.3 million.
Among the recipients in 2022 were firms such as Savannah Law Chambers (N17.4 million), Lex Habitae (N21.8 million), and Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto (N17.4 million), as well as Abdullahi Haruna & Co (N17.4 million). LDS Legal was paid N70.9 million, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co received N15.7 million each.
Other law firms that received payments included Justice Solicitors & Attorneys (N15.7 million), Pelican Legal (N15.7 million), and Aderemi Olatubora & Co (N17.4 million).
Additionally, Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4 million, and Savannah Law Chambers received another N29 million.
Lawyers such as Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates and Madyan Legal Consult were also among the beneficiaries, receiving N20.7 million and N24.8 million, respectively.
In 2021, payments included N174 million to Chikwendu Madumere, N21.8 million to LDS Legal, N21.8 million to Olowolafe & Co, and N100.5 million to Sulaiman Salihu & Co, which was paid in two parts.
As part of their professional fees, Chief Afe Babalola paid a 7.5% Value Added Tax amounting to N31 million to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, while Wole Olanipekun paid N8.6 million in VAT.
Additionally, both lawyers paid a 10% withholding tax of N41.4 million and N11.5 million, respectively, to the Ministry of Justice.
