President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, inaugurated a team of 49 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to defend his election in the Presidential election on February 25, 2023 before the Court of Appeal sitting as the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
Speaking at the inauguration of the legal team, President -elect Tinubu told the 50-member team that the task ahead of them was more than just defending his election, noting that it was a task with the defense of democracy as its main priority.
The President-elect referred to the Presidential election results, particularly those of his home state of Lagos and Katsina State, as well as those of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the defeat suffered by the All Progressives Congress (APC) were unthinkable outcomes made possible only by the election’s free and fair nature.
Tinubu expressed complete confidence in the abilities of his legal team members, stating that he had worked with the majority of them over the years in the course of his own defense of democracy and democratic institutions.
He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bring their wealth of knowledge, experience, and diligence to bear in defending the popular wishes of the Nigerian people.
He thanked them for their patriotism, altruism, and selflessness, saying that by volunteering to follow his instructions, they not only represented him, but also the Nigerian people, who had clearly stated their preference.
Tinubu praised the senior counsel for their camaraderie, camaraderie, collegiality, partnership, and solidarity with the masses.
In his response, the Lead counsel, of the team, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, accepted the President-elect’s charge, noting that given the caliber of counsels assembled, it was not a question of leadership, but of teamwork.
He pleaded with all team members to remember that the task at hand is solemn and serious, and that they must carry it out with all of their expertise.
Concerning the enormity of the task, he insisted that because it involves the use of the law, the team is prepared to extract, extricate, and excavate any legal authority, no matter where it may be hidden around the world, in order to carry out Tinubu’s instructions.
Present at the meeting were Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), Prof. Dakas Dakas (SAN) and Anthony Malik (SAN).
Also, in attendance at the meeting were Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the All Progressives Congress’ legal adviser, Ahmad El-Marzuq, Life Bencher and Festus Keyamo (SAN).
In their contributions, they assured counsel of the party’s support whenever required, and insisted on the sanctity of the president-elect’s mandate.
Other members of the Tinubu’s legal team who are all SANs are Chief Akin Olujimi, Emmanuel Ukala, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi, Chief Niyi Akintola, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, Tani Molajo, Tayo Oyetibo, Mike Igbokwe, Bayo Adelodun, Oladele Adesina, Oladipo Okpeseyi, Lawal Pedro, Chukwuma Ekomaru, Olasupo Shasore, Abiodun Owonikoko, Dr. Hassan Liman, Adesegun Ajibola, Solomon Umoh, Tunde Busari Prof. Dakas Dakas, Ogwu James Onoja, Prof. J. Olukayode Olatoke, Chief Hakeem Afolabi and Dr. Muiz Banire.
The rest are Oladapo Olanipekun, A.U Mustapha, Chief Yomi Aliyu, Olusola Oke, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Bode Olanipekun, Prof. Lawan Yusufari, Anthony Malik, Babatunde Ogala, Funmi Quadri, Remi Olatubora, Kunle Adegoke, Abdul Mohammed Rafindadi, Chief Anthony Adeniyi, Marcel Oru, M.A Abubakar, Said Sanusi, Adebayo Mutalubi Ojo, Hanafin Mumin and Prince Lukman Fagbemi.