‘Hard Work, Integrity and Good Public Relations are the key to Success’
Please, give a brief Introduction of yourself?
I am Michael Ogheneruona Efeakpor, I am from Delta State. I graduated from the Faculty of Law, Delta State University, Abraka. I attended Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus, and was called to the Bar in November, 2009. I hold a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Benin. I am a Notary Public, and presently, Managing Partner of Starlex Legal Practitioners, a firm of Lawyers based in Warri, Delta State. I am a Catholic, and I am married to a practicing Nurse, Mrs. Akpevwe Efeakpor with children.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so what were the main challenges?
Yes! As a Lawyer in active practice, challenges are common occurrences. As a young Lawyer, the initial problem was that of having a firm that gives you quality opportunity to practice law like I had, and payment of reasonable financial remuneration for the young Lawyer which was lacking and remains a key challenge in the profession.
However, as I grow older in the profession, the present challenges are tied to the economic imbalance in the society, ranging from expenses of managing a business (Law firm) in Nigeria. In most cases, Nigerian clients do not know the true value of legal services rendered by Lawyers, and this affects the charges. Again, restriction of areas of law practice due to absence of the Corporate Offices of most multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta Area and non-performing Federal parastatals like the Delta Steel Company and the Nigerian Ports Authority, Warri, and lastly, the inability of the NBA to regulate how fees for legal documentation/ services should be generally and corporately secured for Lawyers.
Furthermore, in Delta State, there is need for the appointment of more competent Practitioners to the Bench following due process, as enshrined in the NJC guidelines. Where cases are adjourned for a period of not less than two months due to overloading of the Cause List, it fosters delay of cases, and you know the Maxim, “justice delayed is justice denied”.
Firstly, I think retired High Court Judges of less than 70 years, should be recommended for assignment to Election Petition Tribunals. This will help to reduce the number of serving Judges involved in Election Petition Tribunals, and delays occasioned by that. The logic behind this, is that Appellate Court Judges retire at 70 years and experienced and healthy High
Court Judges who statutorily retire at 65 years, can be engaged for this purpose. I hope the National Assembly will look into this suggestion critically, as we look towards critical reforms in the Judiciary.
What do you consider to be your worst day as a Lawyer?
There’s no particular day, but several happenings in the Legal profession make useless the efforts of Lawyers. In one case, after spending eight years in a matter, the Honourable Judge handling the matter was suddenly elevated to the Court of Appeal after we had adjourned for adoption of Final Written Addresses, and we had to start de novo, even the parties themselves were forced out of court, by the frustration of having to start de novo.
What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer, so far?
Having to adorn the wig and gown after a difficult phase of going through school from a humble background, was memorable. But, presently, making impact in my own little way, gives me happiness.
Who has been most influential in your life?
Humanly speaking, that should be my Mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Ukukoyo (Nee Erisuena). Her ability to bring up her children with the fear of God with very limited resources, was exemplary.
Why did you become a Lawyer?
To be a voice to the voiceless! You see, there is no better way to contribute to the growth of society than by being a Lawyer. That’s why Medical Doctors, Engineers, Politicians and graduates of other disciplines return to study law, and become Lawyers. Lawyers are the engine room of society and noble Ministers in the temple of Justice. Everyone, at one time or the other, in their lifetime, must consult the services of a Lawyer, irrespective of your pedigree in society.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?
They must be ready to work hard and imbibe the virtue of integrity. If you can’t comply with the ethics of the profession, go and become a Farmer. Apart from the design of God’s grace, hard work, integrity and good public relations are the keys to sustaining success in the life of a Lawyer. You lose these, you lose your career. For me, Law Practice is, firstly, strictly business and I encourage Lawyers to treat the profession with the mind of a businessman. Once a Lawyer has earned his fee, he can then think of his social responsibility of giving back to society through pro bono cases and charity. That is the only way, to sustain law practice.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?
Mass Communication or the Arts! I had genuine flare for them while growing up, but everything turned around when I discovered the importance of being a Lawyer.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
God willing, I want to honestly contribute my quota to the development of the legal profession and the society at large, through the instrumentality of law practice, get a PhD in law, earn the desired fees, mentor young Lawyers from my own experience, and achieve the highest rank of a Counsel.