‘With Hard Work, It Only Gets Better’
My name is Dapo Akinosun, Partner at SimmonsCooper Partners (SCP), law firm ranked in the top-tier of Nigerian firms particularly in the Energy sector. Professional colleagues have often referred to me as smart with interesting business acumen, I have for over 25 years advised several companies, governments, and non-profits. This has enabled me to become considerably acquainted with relevant strategies, expertise and skills to project a balanced view of the legal spectrum and regulatory efforts in the Energy market today.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?
Definitely, I have had my own share of them, but the joy is that they have not deterred me from working hard to provide the best legal services to my clients. The greatest challenge I faced was when I decided to metamorphose into a partnership from a sole proprietorship firm. It was a great challenge for several reasons. I was leaving the known for the unknown terrain. I was moving from having 100% control to sharing income and control. There was uncertainty about the future. Some of my most trusted colleagues in chambers did not catch the vision. They believed I was doing well as a one man firm, why did I want to go into a partnership? they asked. They had their meetings and all decided to quit “...before he runs the firm aground”. So, within a span of 24 hours, I received letters of resignation from 8 out of 9 lawyers working in the firm. I almost backed down, but knowing that God had given me the leading, I continued, putting all my trust in Him.
I am aware of a recent article circulating on some media platforms claiming that our law firm is getting undue advantage from the Federal Government, because of our firm's relationship with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. It is totally false.
The author of the article claims that the Acting President instructed major agencies of the government to patronise our firm.That is untrue in its entirety. Anyone who knows the Acting President will tell you that Prof (as we fondly call him), will never do such a thing. Yes, Prof was a Partner at SCP until 2015,
when he resigned from the firm having been elected into office as Vice President. SCP, has a robust Public Sector & Regulatory practice, which has made us a top choice for many governmental bodies for several years, ever before this administration was conceived. We have represented the Federal and several State Governments in some of the most notable Public Interest litigation. One of this was the case where we sued Pfizer on behalf of the Federal and Kano State Governments for the trial of its Trovan drugs on children in Kano during a Meningitis outbreak. We are also representing over 11 State Governments, (including Zamfara State, where the writer claims to be), and the FG in actions against the Tobacco companies for harm they are causing Nigerians. Some of these cases are being appealed and we are at the Supreme Court now.
The author also claimed that Mr. Babatunde Irukera was recently appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Council, because of his affinity with the Acting President.
Tunde is one of the few Nigerian legal experts in the area of Anti-Trust and Competition Law, which are requisite skills for formulation and implementation of consumer protection policies and regulations. By his own admission, the author acknowledged that Tunde, was prior to his appointment, the Head of CPC Trusted Advisors, a status he could only have attained because of his outstanding advisory services to the Council. It is only logical that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, will only appoint a professional who is familiar with the inner workings of the consumer protection industry to head the Council.
What was your worst day as a lawyer?
The day my client was illegally and forcibly ejected from a residence without due process of enforcing the judgement. I became a lawyer to uphold law and order, and here was my client being a victim of some crooked and illegal practice, in the administration of justice.
What was your most memorable experience?
The day I faced the legendary FRA Williams, SAN in a contested matter at the Court of Appeal. I was only three months old at the Bar at the time, and it felt like a young David facing a giant Goliath. It was memorable, because I got the ruling of the Court of Appeal in my favour.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My Father, the late Oladejo Akinosun. He instilled some virtues of hard work and trust, which have helped me in life.
Why did you become a lawyer?
It was a passion I had developed from my Primary school days. I always felt it was a means to fight for and help other people. I still believe so.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
You can’t make a better choice. Even though it tarries, keep working at it. It can only get better.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
An Auto Trader or Real Estate Developer
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In the inner bar, practicing my love (the legal profession) and as a member of a law firm ranked in the top percentile of the world’s best law firms.