Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors has honoured a former Senior Associate, Mr Emonye Adekwu, following his conferment with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Senior Partner of Punuka, Dr Anthony Idigbe (SAN), said celebrating Adekwu was in keeping with the firm’s tradition of honouring former employees, strengthening relationships and building a network.

Adekwu headed Punuka’s Abuja branch and is the fifth SAN produced by the firm.

Former colleagues, who gathered at the Sky Restaurant of Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island, shared fond memories of working with him.

Idigbe noted that Punuka has over the years provided a structured environment for lawyers to hone their skills.

He stressed the need for lawyers to gain practical experience.

Idigbe said: “There are few lawyers who have proper training and background in a structured system.”

According to him, Punuka provides such a system, which is why five lawyers from the firm have been admitted to the Inner Bar while many others have excelled as jurists.

Idigbe said the firm keeps tabs on all former staff members.

“It does not matter whether you’re in or out.

“It’s a network, so we believe we can maintain a mutually beneficial relationship through referrals and endorsements.

“Our first port of call is our network because we can trust them,” he said.

Idigbe praised Adekwu for being a dedicated employee who gave his best while at Punuka.

He recalled how Adekwu convinced him to acquire a permanent office for the firm in Abuja.

According to him, it was Adekwu’s insistence that made the difference, underscoring his commitment to the firm while he was there.

Managing Partner of Punuka, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, thanked Adekwu for his services and urged him to take good care of himself as he gets busier.

“You have to look after yourself. Keep fit. Exercise regularly. Watch what you eat.

“And always remember your creator, to always praise Him.

“Above all, don’t compromise justice. Keep your faith intact,” she advised.

Other partners, including, Nnamdi Oragwu, Ms. Isioma Idigbe, Okorie Kalu, Mrs Ebele Enedah and Adeyinka Abdusalam, recalled fond memories of working with Adekwu.

They described him as serious-minded and passionate.

Oragwu said Punuka was becoming a conveyor belt for SANs and great jurists, such as Dr Nnamdi Dimgba of the Court of Appeal.

“Adekwu is firm, a strong fighter. I had no doubt in his capacity. His journey has just begun,” he said.

Isioma pledged the firm’s continued support to ex-staff members.

“I am sure that coming from the Punuka ecosystem, you will do well as a SAN. We’ll continue to support you,” she told Adekwu.

Kalu described Adekwu as “a quintessential gentleman who thinks on his feet and one of the best in litigation,” adding that the new silk “performs best when under pressure.”

“He is a go-getter who can get out of tight spots,” Kalu added.

Mrs Enedah said Adekwu is also a kind and “very charitable person”.

“I appreciate his ugo-getting spirit, which is worthy of emulation,” she said.

Abdusalam said he aspires to attain the silk rank like Adekwu.

“He is a shining light to us. We hope that next year, we’ll gather to celebrate another SAN from Punuka,” he said.

Executive Director of Practice and Strategy, Mrs Angela Ezenweani, said Adekwu added value to Punuka.

“He was very reliable. He stood for everything Punuka represents. He was an icon of the firm and a pragmatic person.

“He played by the rules and regulations of the firm, so I never had issues with him.

“So, this rank is something that he earned,” she said.

Former staff members Ige Asemudara, Rafiu Bello and Kolawole Raheem also spoke highly about Adekwu.

Asemudara said Adekwu is “an on-the-spot lawyer who never says ‘I’ll get back to you’,” adding that “he works well with others.”

“We’re celebrating character and competence.

“We trust that he will carry the silk rank well and protect it,” the lawyer added.

Bello expressed pride in being a Punuka alumnus.

“Punuka is a firm that looks after its alumni,” he said.

Raheem described Adekwu as a perfectionist.

“It was not unusual to see him working late at night.

“He taught me a lot of things. But he knows when to work and when to play.

“My prayer is that God will continue to elevate him and that this rank will be the beginning of greater things.”

Adekwu thanked the firm and his former colleagues for the honour.

“I met a wonderful team at Punuka. I am not outside Punuka. I never left. The lessons I learnt remain with me.

“Everything I have achieved is because I am still a member of the firm. I am grateful for the kind words,” the SAN said.

Also at the dinner was Olabisi Akinkugbe, an Assistant Professor and the Viscount Bennett Professor of Law at Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.

Representatives of the Idoma community in Lagos were also present to felicitate their son.

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