Embattled Partner At Olanipekun’s Firm Takes Leave Of Absence From Legal Practice

Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner at the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co., who has been at the centre of controversies arising from a letter of solicitation written by her to one Saipem Ltd on 20th June in her statement lamented that her previous attempt to alienate her firm from responsibility for her action failed.

According to her, she shall take a leave of absence which will enable her equip herself better in dealing with professional and life issues.

Read her full statement below:

MY EMAIL OF 20TH JUNE 2022 TO SAIPEM.

The email I sent to SAIPEM on 20th June 2022 has, for several weeks, become the subject of discussion, debate, and diatribe among lawyers and the general public on various social media platforms.

My public statement issued on 27th June 2022, which was aimed at expressing remorse for the anguish the said email caused to Ajumogobia & Okeke, my Firm, Wole Olanipekun & Co., and my parents and also to debunk the wrong conclusions drawn by many lawyers that the partners and/or associates at the firm knew about or consented to the content or delivery of my email did not also achieve the purpose in the opinion of some people.

Since I issued that public statement, I have read on social media a complaint filed against me at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee by the First Vice-President of the NBA and the letter written to my Firm’s Founding Partner, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR that he should recuse himself from his position as the Chairman of the Body of Benchers.

I cannot deny the fact that I am at the centre of every main or collateral issue that has arisen out of the said email. It may appear as if neither Wole Olanipekun & Co nor me has taken any concrete step to ameliorate the effect of the email by way of discipline, education, reform, and rehabilitation concerning me. I wish to state that the firm took such steps but did not believe that its actions should be for the attention of the media.

Unfortunately, the matter has now become rather complicated and has not only affected me psychologically but also Wole Olanipekun & Co and my family. It has bred bad blood and, to my great pain, thoroughly embarrassed our Firm’s Founder, the innocent and dignified Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR, and as well as the Firm.

As the one through whom all these have arisen, I have consulted with my family and the Firm and after a deep and thorough examination of all the facets of this hydra-headed problem, I have decided to take the following steps:

1. I will take a leave of absence from legal practice and get involved in community and social work pro bono, with a few selected NGOs.

2. I will also during this time undergo necessary courses to equip myself better in dealing with professional and life issues.

3. I will return to legal practice after some time, in consultation with my parents, senior colleagues, and well-wishers.

This statement is issued to enable me to move to the next stage of my life. I will no longer be issuing any public statements.

I thank all those who have helped me to pass through this very trying period of my life, particularly my parents, partners, and associates of Wole Olanipekun & Co, my friends, and my parents’ friends.

God bless you all.

Adekunbi Ogunde