SAHARA REPORTERS
The revelation came to light after an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform that tracks government expenditures.
The Nigerian government through the Federal Ministry of Justice, has paid N1.1billion in professional fees to top Nigerian lawyers over a three-year period.
The revelation came to light after an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform that tracks government expenditures.
The beneficiaries of the payments include prominent lawyers Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other law firms.
The scope of professional services provided by the lawyers encompasses a wide range of activities, including offering legal advice, drafting documents, and representing clients in legal matters.
Their services may also extend to transactional tasks, such as identifying potential legal risks in real estate or business dealings, negotiation, mediation, regulatory compliance, advocacy, lobbying, and risk management.
It’s worth noting that the Nigerian government has established guidelines for legal fees, including the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, 2023, which sets a scale of charges for legal services.
However, the payment of N1.1 billion in professional fees to top lawyers raises questions about the transparency and accountability of government expenditures.
Meanwhile, according to the analysis as published by PUNCH, it showed that in July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7million from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
While Babalola was paid N372.9million on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a court case registered FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023, Olanipekun and Izinyon, were paid N103.6million and N6.2million, respectively, for providing similar services at different times.
A breakdown of the payments shows that Olanipekun’s payment was made on July 26, while Izinyon received his fee July 29.
Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records reveals that in 2022, no fewer than 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7million as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3million in 2021.
Among those who received payments in 2022 were Savannah Law Chambers, which was paid N17.4million; Lex Habitae, which received N21.8million; Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, which got N17.4million; and Abdullahi Haruna & Co, which also received N17.4million.
LDS Legal was paid N70.9million, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7million. Sulaiman Salihu & Co was paid N31.4million in two tranches.
Other firms that benefited include Justice Solicitors & Attorneys, which was paid N15.7million; Pelican Legal, which received N15.7million; and Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4million. Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4m, while Savannah Law Chambers received an additional N29million.
Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates received N20.7million, Law Forte was paid N22.3million in two tranches, and Madyan Legal Consult received N24.8million in two tranches.
The 2021 payments included N174million to Mr. Chikwendu Madumere, N21.8million to LDS Legal, N21.8million to Olowolafe & Co, and N100.5million 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 N31million to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, while Wole Olanipekun paid N8.6million in VAT.
Both lawyers also paid a 10 per cent withholding tax of N41.4million and N11.5million respectively, to the Ministry of Justice.
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