Legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has said he did no wrong in calling for the review of the judgement that removed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor-elect in Bayelsa state, Chief David Lyon.
Olanipekun, who said he will speak on the matter at the appropriate time, was the head of the legal team for Lyon, who sought a review of the judgement earlier delivered by the apex court against the APC.
He spoke in Ikere on Sunday during a thanksgiving service commemorating an ultra- modern 1, 600 capacity church auditorium the legal practitioner donated to Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in the town.
In the suit, Olanipekun (SAN) appeared alongside Chief Afe Babalola(SAN) and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to seek the review, which the Supreme Court had dismissed and awarded N30 million fine against each of the litigants’ lawyers to be paid directly to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Supreme Court had disqualified the APC candidate on the basis that his deputy, Chief Degi Biobarakuma-Eremionye forged his academic certificates and the court subsequently, declared the candidate of the PDP, Sen. Duoye Diri, winner of the poll.
Speaking on the issue, Olanipekun said: “I have never regretted any of my actions since I started my legal practice because I always abide by the ethics of the job.
“The truth about the matter will be revealed soon, but I have the conviction that I have done no wrong because this is a profession I love so much.
“I see the legal profession as a ministry; I am convinced and know that what we did was within the best tradition in law. I can tell anyone about this.
“But, I will speak about the whole thing at the appropriate time. I won’t say more than that now.”
On the killings of Christians by terrorists in the north, Olanipekun (SAN) advised the church against being antagonistic neither should they act cowardly in handling any vexatious matter.
“I can see the leadership of the church are not speaking up loud enough.
Though, I believe we need prayers to overcome insurgency and terrorism. I know Christians must be cautious about their actions, but they should not act cowardly.
“But, I know that no matter how strong the evil forces are, they won’t over-run the power of God because the power of God is not run through the power of man,” he added.
Olanipekun added that the church auditorium he built and donated is part of his contributions to the spiritual growth of his people and for the development of the tourism potentials of the state.
“You are all aware of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Saint Paul Church in London and many others that are tourist centres.
There is no tourist that will come to Ikere today that won’t ask of this church and that is the joy and benefit of it,” he stated.
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