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Influence Peddling: LPDC Vindicates Olanipekun, Dismisses NBA’s Petition

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Influence Peddling: LPDC Vindicates Olanipekun, Dismisses NBA's Petition

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a professional misconduct petition filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun and partners of his firm, Olanipekun & Co.

According to a statement from the law firm, on Friday, “an extract signed by the Secretary of the LPDC, Mr Daniel Tela, explained that the initial review concluded that no evidence showed Ogunde acted with the consent of the firm’s partners.

“Based on this, the applicant’s prayer for an investigation of the law firm cannot be granted.”

The statement cited parts of the extract, thus, “With regards to the applicant’s prayer to also consider whether the firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co are not liable to be disciplined, I hold the humble view that since there is no evidence to show that the respondent indeed acted with the knowledge and consent of the principal partners, especially with the partners’ express and constant denial of the content of Exhibit 1 to the effect that the respondent acted without the authority or consent of the principal partners or the firm, I cannot situate the angle of the applicant’s prayer to both the act and the rules;

“Accordingly, I see no merit in recommending further investigation against the partners of Wole Olanipekun &Co. I so hold.”

Recall that Adekunbi Ogunde, a partner in Olanipekun’s firm, solicited a brief from SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria Ltd, which had already engaged the law firm of Henry Ajumogobia, SAN.

The NBA deemed the marketing move, a violation of the rule of practice and dragged Ogunde before the LPDC, prayed the LPDC to sanction her and consider whether Wole Olanipekun & Co. partners were not liable to be disciplined alongside Ogunde.

The NBA’s prayers were conveyed in a petition dated July 19, 2022, which was signed by its Vice President, John Aikpokpo-Martins.

READ ALSO: Osinbajo’s presence at FEC Meeting, sign of Full Recovery

In addition, on July 22, 2022, Olumide Akpata in his capacity as President, NBA, wrote to Chief Olanipekun, who is also Chairman of the Body of Benchers, to recuse himself over the incident.

Akpata’s letter was despite an earlier submission by Ogunde that the firm’s partners were not aware of her letter to SAIPEM.

This new twist on the matter is coming, even as Ogunde, the partner in the eye of the storm, has taken a leave of absence from legal practice over the same.

She had expressed regret over the turn of events and the embarrassment to the firm’s partners.

“Unfortunately, the matter has become rather complicated and has affected me psychologically, but also Wole Olanipekun & Co. and my family. It has bred bad blood and, to my great pain, thoroughly embarrassed the firm’s Founding Partner, the innocent and dignified Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR and everyone else at the firm,” Ogunde averred.

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EndSARS Memorial: ‘Nigerians Still Deserve Answers’ – Atiku

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PDP Threatens INEC Over Delay In Presidential Election Results

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigerians still deserve answers six years after the October 20, 2020, EndSARS shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

Atiku made this known in a statement on Tuesday marking the sixth anniversary of the incident, in which he called for accountability over the shooting and criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the unresolved questions surrounding the tragedy.

He questioned who gave the order for the operation against protesters, insisting that the country could not continue to commemorate the victims without addressing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

RELATED NEWS: EndSARS Memorial: ‘We Must Never Normalise Injustice’ – Peter Obi

Atiku also recalled President Bola Tinubu’s remarks in October 2020, when he questioned the circumstances surrounding the casualties recorded during the shooting.

Tinubu had asked: “How were they there? How long were they there? What kind of characters are they?”

According to Atiku, the remarks appeared to focus on questioning the victims rather than demanding answers from those responsible for the violence against peaceful protesters.

He said the anger surrounding the anniversary reflected the unresolved grief of affected families and the distrust of young Nigerians who had demanded accountability and a better future.

“The APC has governed Nigeria through these six years. It cannot keep asking Nigerians to remember the dead while refusing to confront the unanswered questions,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also linked the unresolved questions surrounding the Lekki shooting to the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, particularly young people struggling with rising living costs.

Citing petrol prices of ₦1,405 per litre, Atiku said transportation costs were making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to afford basic necessities, including food, rent, education and commuting to work.

He illustrated the situation with the account of a young woman who reportedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover her transportation expenses.

According to Atiku, one of his aides shared the woman’s experience earlier on Tuesday.

The woman reportedly said: “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”

Atiku described the experience as an example of the difficulties faced by employed Nigerians whose earnings could no longer adequately cover the cost of getting to work.

He argued that the economic situation was affecting not only unemployed Nigerians but also workers struggling to survive on salaries weakened by rising costs.

The former vice president also highlighted his Economic Recovery Plan, which he said was designed to make Nigeria more affordable.

The proposed measures include providing support tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, passing savings on to consumers, increasing local production to create jobs, protecting minimum-wage earners, supporting students and cutting government waste rather than imposing additional taxes.

Atiku maintained that young Nigerians deserved answers about the Lekki shooting, a government that protects human life and an economy in which employment could provide a path to a better standard of living.

He added that Nigerians were entitled to question the APC’s record on accountability and economic opportunities six years after the incident.

The EndSARS protests began in October 2020, with young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and reforms to policing in the country. The shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20 became one of the most prominent events associated with the protests.

 

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EndSARS Memorial: ‘We Must Never Normalise Injustice’ – Peter Obi

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National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians never to normalise injustice as the country marks the sixth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate shootings during the #EndSARS protests.

Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in which he reflected on the events of October 20, 2020, and renewed his call for a Nigeria where citizens’ rights are protected.

He expressed appreciation for Nigerian youths who participated in the protests, describing the anniversary as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made in the demand for a better country.

SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Activists Arrested For Commemorating #Endsars Released

According to him, peaceful #EndSARS protesters were met with gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate on that fateful night, leaving people dead and others injured.

He noted that the incident raised questions about justice, accountability and respect for human life.

“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” Obi said.

He also reaffirmed his belief that a New Nigeria is possible, describing it as a country where citizens are protected rather than brutalised, young people are heard rather than silenced, and government power is exercised responsibly and with respect for human rights.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that Nigeria must become a nation where no citizen is punished for demanding good governance and a better future.

As the country marks six years since the incident, Obi prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and called for their sacrifices to strengthen efforts towards building a better nation.

“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace. May their sacrifice strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria where this tragedy will never be repeated,” he stated.

He concluded by reiterating his belief in the possibility of a New Nigeria, insisting that the country must become one where every life matters.

 

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JUST IN: Ex-Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Is Dead

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Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reportedly died, according to sources said to be close to his family.

The sources confirmed the development on Monday, October 19, 2026, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

“Uduaghan is no more; he is dead,” one of the sources reportedly said.

SEE ALSO: Document reveals Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded N10b damages from husband before marriage, firm reacts

The reported death comes months after claims that the former governor had died circulated on social media before being dismissed by his media aide, Henry Unini.

In June, reports of Uduaghan’s alleged death spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting Unini to publicly debunk the claims and assure the public that the former governor was alive.

“I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive,” Unini said at the time.

“Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from. The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually,” he added.

Unini acknowledged at the time that Uduaghan had been experiencing health challenges but maintained that he was receiving medical attention.

“It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care,” the media aide said.

He also stated that the former governor was recuperating, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.

“There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” Unini said.

The media aide thanked friends, well-wishers and residents of Delta State who contacted the family to verify the former governor’s condition. He also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.

“The rumour was uncalled for,” he said while addressing the earlier reports.

As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding Uduaghan’s reported death had yet to emerge.

 

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