The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Justice, has disbursed approximately N1.1 billion in professional fees to renowned lawyers Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and 23 other law firms over three years, according to data from GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government expenditures.
Bellnews reports that professional legal services typically encompass tasks such as offering legal advice, drafting documents, representing clients in court, and handling regulatory compliance, advocacy, and risk management matters. These activities form the basis of the significant payments revealed in the report.
In July 2024, Chief Afe Babalola, Wole Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) collectively received ₦482.7 million for services rendered to the Federal Ministry of Justice. A breakdown shows that Babalola was paid ₦372.9 million on July 23 for representing the government in case FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023. Olanipekun received ₦103.6 million on July 26, while Izinyon was paid ₦6.2 million three days later.
The analysis also highlights payments from previous years. In 2022, the Ministry of Justice disbursed ₦359.7 million to 17 lawyers, while in 2021, four lawyers collectively received ₦319.3 million. Among the 2022 recipients were Savannah Law Chambers (₦17.4m), Lex Habitae (₦21.8m), Rashida Mohammed & Co (₦17.4m), and Abdullahi Haruna & Co (₦17.4m). LDS Legal received ₦70.9 million, while firms like King’s Chambers, Iwuanyanwu & Co, and Justice Solicitors & Attorneys were each paid between ₦15.7 million and ₦31.4 million.
In 2021, payments included ₦174 million to Chikwendu Madumere, ₦21.8 million to LDS Legal, ₦21.8 million to Olowolafe & Co, and ₦100.5 million to Sulaiman Salihu & Co.
As part of their fees, Afe Babalola and Wole Olanipekun fulfilled tax obligations, paying 7.5% VAT (₦31 million and ₦8.6 million, respectively) and 10% withholding tax (₦41.4 million and ₦11.5 million, respectively) to relevant authorities.