‘Maturity Must Be Every Lawyer’s Work Tool’
I am Akinwunmi Salawu Esq. I graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife with LL.B (Hons) in 1991. I obtained my BL from the Nigerian Law School in 1992. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). I did my mandatory NYSC in Warri, Delta State and I served as the Legal Adviser to the Legislative Arm of Warri/ South Local Government. I was the Youth Corp liaison officer for the Warri/South Local Government, where I was saddled with the responsibility of managing and coordinating the affairs and welfare of all NYSC members in the local government. Within that period, I practiced in the law firm of Eyewu Oritsejafor & Co. till 1993. Between 1993 and 2003, I have worked as legal Officer at Tropical Group of Companies (La Campagne Tropical and Corporate Guards) and as counsel in the law firm of Awokoya, Awokoya & Co. I joined Chris Ogunbanjo LP in 2003, and I am currently the Group Head, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.
My core area of practice is commercial litigation and I have substantial expertise in civil litigation, Arbitration, Land matters, Insurance, Industrial Relations, ADR and Immigration matters generally.
I am a lover of sports. I also enjoy good music.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?
The greatest challenge in my career as a legal practitioner (litigator), is the delay in the administration and dispensation of justice. As a young Lawyer, I always imagined that the procedure of obtaining justice would be as fast as possible, given the maxim - “justice delayed is justice denied”.
The one that touches me the most is the delay suffered at the Apex Court, where civil appeals may not be heard for upwards of 10 years, unlike criminal appeals. Today, I have an appeal filed in 2009 pending at the Supreme Court, with no indication of when the Hearing notice will be issued.
What was your worst day as a Lawyer?
I was involved in a matter where the delivery of judgement was adjourned three times, and when the judgement was finally ready, the court read about a quarter of the judgement and stopped, on the grounds that mistakes not obvious to either counsel were observed, and the judgement was further adjourned without letting either of us know the position of the court on the judgement, in order to erase any doubt whenever it is eventually delivered. Judgement was eventually delivered, a week thereafter. The incident generated a lot of anxiety in me, such that I had long sleepless nights, until the day judgement was eventually delivered.
What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?
I feel delighted at every opportunity to represent a litigant, whether corporate or individual, and I am able to present my clients’ case in such a way that their interest has been well protected, and I am able to improve on my skills at the same time. I consider it a “win-win” in such instances.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My parents and siblings, for the encouragement and full support they have given me, from the beginning to the end, without complaints.
Professionally, I would say Mr. and Mrs. Dele Awokoya (Awokoya, Awokoya & Co.), who taught me the basic rudiments of legal practice, with support and exposure throughout the geo-political zones of Nigeria, right from chambers attachment. My Managing Partner, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, (President, Nigeria Stock Exchange), for giving me the opportunity to grow in strength, with robust support where and when necessary.
My wife and children, for tolerating me and for giving me their unwavering support through my trials and tribulations.
Why did you become a Lawyer? As a young boy growing up in Ibadan, Oyo State, we had a senior family friend who called me Ramoni Alao the Lawyer, a name he got from a drama series on NTV Ibadan back in the day. My late mum also always referred to me as “Lawyer”, because I always liked to be given the opportunity to explain myself. I was very curious about who Lawyers were and what they do. I realised that my academic strength lay in the humanities, and coupled with my interest in a professional vocation, I chose the legal profession in fulfilment of my childhood perception of a Lawyer.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in Law? The greatest tool of a lawyer is maturity, and once a lawyer possesses this quality, every other thing will follow. Once you have this attribute, it will be easy to grow in strength and practice.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen?
Managerial work, either in business generally or in real estate.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
By His grace, to be recognised by my peers and clients, as one of the best in my profession, and to be blessed with enough resources to positively affect people around me and my community.