Approach LPDC If You Have A Problem With Olanikepun, Not Media Trial

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Bar leader, J.S. Okutepa, has reacted to criticisms on his position that Chief Wole Olanikepun, SAN, is and remains a senior ranking member of the profession despite any allegation against him and as such should be accorded the honor due him.

The learned silk noted that as a result of that revered placement in the Bar, certain ‘tout-like’ reactions or actions shouldn’t be expected against his person in the guise of seeking Justice.

According to the learned silk, in a response made available to The Lawyer, emotional outbursts and social media trials cannot achieve any meaningful good.

“A lot of people… want mob justice and actions. That is not what I learned. I have decided not to join issues with some of the… emotional outbursts of some of my learned friends. No meaningful thing will be achieved by emotional outbursts and name calling. Those who cared to know, know that in exercising our rights to express our feelings we must do so with all sense of responsibility and decorum and with the best traditions at the Bar. Lawyers are not trained to be touts.”

Okutepa further restated that an alternate approach could have been for the Bar President to meet the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and seek an amicable resolution of the issue, to avoid any (further) ridicule of the profession as Chief Olanikepun is a leader of the Bar.

“The letter was not in the best tradition of how things are done irrespective of what anybody feels about it. Chief Wole Olanipekun was a past President of the Nigerian Bar Association and whether we like it or not, he is a senior member of the bar if I were to be in the position of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, I won’t write such letter.” He noted.

Okutepa, SAN, further noted that persons who feel strongly disenchanted against Chief Olanikepun should approach the LPDC; a body vested with jurisdiction to hear questions of professional misconduct.

“Anyone who feels strongly about the conduct of Chief Olanipekun SAN should approach LPDC. I have no power to condemn him on social media. I have never condemned any lawyer on social media… we as lawyers should no matter the temptations engage in abusing ourselves or become so indecorous in expressing our views because one’s stand does not accord with our emotional and sentimental feelings. Even God himself did not condemn Adam unheard. If you feel strongly about your emotional outbursts… exercise your right under Rule 55 of RPC.”

He however warned persons using his name for clout chasing to desist from such, and avoid using his “name to satisfy emotional sentiments and partisans inclination.”