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.
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