The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers has acknowledged the petition filed by the 1st Vice President Nigerian Bar Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq, on behalf of the Association against Adekunbi Ogunde Esq, a Former Partner at the law firm of Body of Benchers Chairman, Wole Olanipekun, and served same to her for her response.

Recall that on the 19th of July, the NBA dragged Adekunbi before the disciplinary commitee for alleged infractions on the Rules of Professional Conduct relating to Client Solicitation and alleged peddling of the influence of the Chairman Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun as having the ability to extra-legally influence decisions of Courts in Nigeria.

As a follow-up to the Originating Summons, John Aikpokpo-Martins on the 4th of August, wrote a letter to the LPDC requesting an update on the said petition.

In its response, the Chairman of the LPDC, Hon Justice Dr. Ishaq Bello, on the 10th of August in letter sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer acknowledged receipt of the NBA’s petition and further informed that the petition has been sent to Respondent to file her response.

As lawyers and pundits follow the development in what has been a highly controversial subject in the past few months, it has believed that the LPDC has noted a prima facie case against Adekunbi thus necessitating service of the Originating Summons on her for her to enter her defence.

According to a source privy to LPDC proceedings, the LPDC Rules, 2020, requires the Committee to setup up a preliminary investigation panel to ascertain the cogency of every petition before it. In the event that the Committee reports that there is a prima facie case against the Respondent, the Originating Summons will be served on him/her.

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Written By Ewuwuni Onnoghen-Theophilus (Mrs.), LL.M, MCIArb.