Strength Of Nigerian Law Firms By Number Of Senior Advocates

By Stephen Ubimago

The attainment of the rank of Senior Advocate by a practicing lawyer in Nigeria is said to be indicative of professional excellence, especially in litigation.
Therefore, assuming the number of Senior Advocates (SAN) in the service of a Nigerian law firm testifies of strength, then the list bellow arguably showcases the strongest law firms in the country. For while most law firms in Nigeria scarcely boast more than one SAN, there are a few others that have in their service two or more, as the list below, made out by STEPHEN UBIMAGO, revels…

ADBULLAHI IBRAHIM & CO

Brief Profile

The law firm of Adbullahi Ibrahim & Co was founded in 1973 by Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim as a fully-fledged commercial law pratice. The firm has since diversified and built a robust general legal practice for which it is recognised as one of the country’s pre-eminent law firms. The Firm boasts four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), and they are:

1. Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, CON, FCIArb, FINALS, LLD, SAN.

Alhaji Ibrahim, who is the firm’s founding Partner, was called to the English Bar in 1963. He was later called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964. He was admitted into the Inner Bar as SAN in 1982. He is a notary public, and a life member of the Body of Benchers.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria (FCIArb) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (MCIArb). He’s also a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Nigeria (FINALS). He was conferred with an honorary Doctorate in Law (LLD, Honoris Causa) by the Kogi State University in 2008.

2. Adetunji A. Oyeyipo, Esq, SAN.

Oyeyipo, a Partner in the Firm, earned his BA and LLB with honours from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, Osun State in 1982 and the University of Ibadan 1986. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in1987 and has been in active practice with the firm since 1987. He was admitted into the Inner Bar as SAN in 2004.

3. Olabisi O. Soyebo, SAN.

Olabisi Soyebo, also a Partner in the firm, heads its Abuja office. She obtained her BA in Sociology from the College of St. Elizabeth New Jersey USA and her LLB from the University of Buckingham, England in 1987. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She has ever since been in active legal practice with the firm. She was appointed a notary public in 1998 and was admitted to the Inner Bar as SAN in 2008.

4. Rotimi Oluseyi Oguneso, Esq. SAN.

Rotimi Oguneso, a Partner in the Firm, earned his LLB from the University of Ife in 1990. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. He joined Abdullahi Ibrahim & Co in 1995 and has since remained in active legal practice with the firm.

AFE BABALOLA & CO (EMMANUEL CHAMBERS)

Brief Profile

Founded by Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) in 1965, the firm prides itself in its rich alumni that include several judges and 14 SANs. This is said to be the largest number produced by any law firm in the country.

Emmanuel Chambers is a composite firm of legal practitioners engaged in providing a wide range of legal services to persons and corporate bodies. With its head office in Ibadan, the firm maintains branches in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with two correspondence offices in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and the city of London, UK.

The firms boats three SANs, and they are:

1. Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, FNIALS, FCIArb, FFPA, LL.D, D.Litts, SAN.

Aare Babalola, the firm’s founder and Principal Partner, earned his B.Sc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and LLB from the University of London. He holds an honourary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Lagos. He is also the founder and proprietor of Afe Babalola University, Ekiti State.

2. Adebayo E. Adenipekun, FCIArb, SAN

Adenipekun, the Managing Partner of the Firm, earned his B.Ed from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Ogun State; his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Ibadan. He is a fellow, Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991.

3. Olu Daramola, MCIArb, SAN

Daramola, who is the Deputy Managing Partner of the firm, earned his BSc from the University of Ibadan, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) FROM THE University of Lagos, and Master of Laws (LLM) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He holds another LLM from the University of London. He is Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 and elevated to the rank of SAN in 2008.

WALE BABALAKIN & CO

Brief Profile

Founded by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), the Firm is a leading Commercial law firm in Nigeria with nearly three decades of experience in various aspects of commercial law practice and dispute resolution. The firm is headquartered in Lagos with branches in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

The firm boasts three SANs, and they are:

1. Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin (SAN), OFR.

Wale Babalakin, who is the firm’s Senior Partner, earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with honours from the University of Lagos; an LL.M and PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar with a BL in 1982. Dr. Babalakin was conferred with the rank of SAN in 2002 and has served as a member of the Body of Benchers, and former Chairman of both the Committee on Construction and Real Estate under the Section on Business Law.

2. Olawale Adeola Akoni (SAN)

Akoni is the firm’s Managing Partner. He bagged his B.Sc (Hons.) in Political Science and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ibadan; and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar with B.L. Akoni was elevated to the SAN rank in 2006.

3. Tola Oshobi (SAN) is a Partner in the firm and head of the firm’s Litigation and Taxation Groups. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with honours from the University of Ibadan; and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in with a BL. He was later admitted to the inner bar as a SAN in 2017.

FRA LAW (CHIEF ROTIMI WILLIAMS CHAMBERS)

Brief Profile

Chief Rotimi Williams’ Chambers, is one of Nigeria’s oldest law firms, having been in service for over 70 years. It was established by late Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, CFR, QC, SAN, one of Nigeria’s most prominent lawyers of all time. Chief Williams was the first Nigerian to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1959.

The firm boasts two Senior Advocates, and they are:

1. Abimbola Williams (Chief Mrs.) SAN, Partner.

Chief (Mrs.) Williams was admitted to the Gray’s Inn London, United Kingdom and the Nigeria Nigerian Bar in 1964. She bagged M. Comp-Jur from Howard University in the US.

2. Tokunboh Williams (SAN), Partner.

Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Buckingham, UK. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, and elevated to the rank of SAN in 2003.

WOLE OLANIPEKUN & CO

Brief Profile

The Firm was established in 1980 by Chief Wole Olanipekun. It is a fully serviced legal practice that has earned a reputation for competence in litigation and commercial practice. The Firm, which is headquartered in its Ikoyi office in Lagos, has branches Abuja, Ilorin and Akure.

The Firm boasts three SANs, and they are:

1. Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, LLD, SAN

Chief Olanipekun, who earned his LLB from the University of Lagos; and his BL from the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School, is the Principal Partner and Founder of the Firm.

He attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1991 at the age of 39 years. He is a Life Bencher and was 20th President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He was also a former Attorney General of old Ondo State from 1992 to 1993.

Chief Olanipekun was the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Ibadan. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Ibadan.

2. Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun, FCIArb, SAN

Oladapo Olanipekun bagged his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Lagos; and his LLM and PhD from Queen Mary and Westfield College of the University of London respectively. He bagged his BL from the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria. Dapo was elevated to the rank of SAN in 2015.

3. Olabode Olanipekun (SAN).

Bode, who is the firm’s Managing Partner, bagged his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Lagos; his Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Wales, Swansea (Inst. Of Int. Maritime and Trade Law), and admitted to the Nigerian Bar with a BL. He’s a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, among others.

OLANIWUN AJAYI

Brief Profile

Olaniwun Ajayi was founded on November 2nd, 1962 by late Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. The Firm is one of the largest and open partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last five decades, Olaniwun Ajayi has established a go-to reputation for a wide range of corporate, commercial and contentious work.

The firm boasts two SANs, and they are:

1. Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN

Professor Ajayi, who’s the firm’s Managing Partner, earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile Ife, Osun State. He earned his LLM and PhD from Harvard and Cambridge Universities respectively. With over 35 years in practice, his expertise spans litigation and transactional work in banking, project finance, capital markets, power, infrastructure, M&A, energy and natural resources, privatisation and dispute resolution.

2. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN

Opasanya, the Deputy Managing Partner of the Firm earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Lagos; LLM from the University of London; and BL from the Council of Legal Education, Nigeria Law School, Lagos. Oluseye, who doubles as Head of the Banking, Finance & Capital Markets group, advises on corporate finance, trade finance, insolvency, receivership and capital markets.

SOFUNDE, OSAKWE, BELGORE AND OGUNDIPE

Brief Profile

Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore is a full-service firm. The firm was established in May 1989 by Ebun O Sofunde SAN, Gabby N. O. Osakwe, Babajide O. Ogundipe & Mohammed D. Belgore SAN.

The founding partners have together been engaged in legal practice for a total of over 100 years. Both Messrs Sofunde and Osakwe were called to the bar in 1972, whilst Ogundipe was called in 1979 and Belgore in 1985.

The Lagos-based firm also works with leading law firms in various parts of the world especially in Europe and in the United States of America on a wide range of matters.

The firm boasts two SANs, and they are:

1. Ebun Olusegun Sofunde (SAN)

Ebun Olusegun Sofunde, founding Partner of the Firm, was elevated to the rank of SAN at the age of 38. He bagged his LL.B with honours from University of Lagos in 1971. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1972.

2. Mohammed Dele Belgore FCIArb, SAN

Belgore earned his LL.B with honours from Hull University, England in 1983; his LL.M from Bristol University, England in 1984; and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. He was elevated to the rank of SAN in 2001 at the age of 40. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and became a notary public in 1997.

IDOWU SOFOLA & CO (EREKE CHAMBERS)

Brief Profile

The Firm was registered under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1961 on November 24th, 1975. The Firm has its principal place of business on 4th and 5th Floors, Ereke House, Plot 15, CIPM Road, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria with presence in all states of the Federation.

The Firm is a full-service litigation and commercial law firm noted for its professionalism that spans Four decades.

The Firm boasts two SANs, and they are:

1. Chief Idowu Sofola, MON, SAN.

Chief Sofola, who’s the principal partner of the firm, was called to the English Bar at Middle Temple Inn of Court, London on July 17, 1962 and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria on July 30, 1962. He was elevated to the rank of SAN in 1989.

Olusina R. Sofola, SAN.

Olusina earned his LLB and LLM with honors from the University of Buckingham, England and the University of Lagos respectively. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and the inner Bar as SAN in 2010.

ALUKO AND OYEBODE

Brief Profile

The law firm of Aluko & Oyebode was founded in 1993 by the duo of Gbenga Oyebode and Bankole Olumide Aluko (SAN). Aluko however passed on in 2002. The firm has over 80 attorneys in Nigeria’s major commercial centers of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Their practice areas encompass the full range of corporate and commercial legal services, including banking; capital markets; competition and anti-trust; corporate services; and corporate governance, among others.

The firm boats three SANs, and they are:

1. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN

Adegbonmire (SAN), a Senior Partner in the firm earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ife in 1987. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate in 2015. He’s a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the International Bar Association, as well as the Nigerian Bar Association.

2. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN.

Fagbohunlu, a Senior Partner in the firm, bagged his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1987 from the University of Ife, LLB (Hons), and a Master of Laws (LLM) in 1991 from the University of Lagos. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and subsequently admitted to the nation’s inner bar as Senior Advocate (SAN) in 2008.

OLAWOYIN & OLAWOYIN

Brief Profile

The firm was established by the founding Partner Professor G.A. Olawoyin (SAN) in 1976, and presently has 11 lawyers comprising four partners and seven associates. The firm offers a full range of legal services, with a principal focus on all facets of corporate, securities, maritime, foreign investment, litigation and arbitration matters.

The firm boasts two SANs and they are:

1. Professor Gabriel Adesiyan Olawoyin, SAN.

Prof. Olawoyin, the principal partner since inception, attended the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) from 1962 to 1966. He obtained his LLB and LLM in 1965 and 1966 respectively. He obtained his PHD in Company Law from the University of Bristol in 1970. He taught Law at the University of Ife from 1966 to 1981. He was conferred with the SAN rank in September 1998.

2. Dr. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin, SAN.

Dr. Olawoyin, the managing partner, obtained his LLB in 1987 from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in June 1988. He earned his LLM in 1990 from LSE and PHD from the University of Bristol in 1991. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. He was admitted to the inner Bar as SAN in September 2014.