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Recent data analysis from GovSpend, a platform that monitors government spending, has revealed that the Nigerian government, via the Federal Ministry of Justice, has allocated a total of N1.1 billion in professional fees to prominent Nigerian legal practitioners over the past three years.
The recipients include renowned legal figures such as Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other law firms. These legal professionals provided a broad array of services, including legal counsel, document drafting, and representation in court cases. Their duties also extended to various transactional services, such as identifying legal risks in real estate or business transactions, as well as handling negotiations, mediations, regulatory compliance, lobbying, and risk management.
Despite the existence of established guidelines for legal fees, including the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, 2023, which outlines legal service charges, the total sum of N1.1 billion raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of such government expenditures.
An analysis published by PUNCH highlighted that in July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million from the Ministry of Justice. Specifically, Babalola was paid N372.9 million on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a case (FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023), while Olanipekun and Izinyon were compensated with N103.6 million and N6.2 million, respectively, for providing similar services at different times. Olanipekun’s payment occurred on July 26, while Izinyon received his on July 29.
Further scrutiny of Ministry records shows that in 2022, at least 17 lawyers were paid a total of N359.7 million in professional fees, while in 2021, four lawyers received a combined amount of N319.3 million. Notable payments in 2022 included N17.4 million for Savannah Law Chambers, N21.8 million for Lex Habitae, and N17.4 million for Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, among others. Additionally, LDS Legal received N70.9 million, and King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7 million.
The breakdown also includes payments to various firms such as Justice Solicitors & Attorneys and Pelican Legal, each receiving N15.7 million, as well as Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4 million. Several others, including Hanafi Mumini Ishola and Madyan Legal Consult, also received sums totaling millions.
In 2021, the largest payout went to Mr. Chikwendu Madumere, who received N174 million, while Sulaiman Salihu & Co received a total of N100.5 million in two installments.
Moreover, both Babalola and Olanipekun paid Value Added Tax (VAT) on their earnings, with Babalola contributing N31 million to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Olanipekun paying N8.6 million. They also paid 10% withholding tax, with Babalola’s payment amounting to N41.4 million and Olanipekun’s to N11.5 million.
