By Edwin Eriye
The news of Olumide Akpata, who defeated two SANs to become the president of Nigerian Bar of Association has been making waves across the four corners of Nigeria.
Hence, in spirit of professionalism, Blackbox Nigeria profiled the new NBA president.
Meet Olumide Akpata:
He was born in 1972, October 7, and had his early education in Warri, Delta State.
He thereafter attended King’s College, Lagos from where he proceeded to study Law at the University of Benin(UNIBEN).
He graduated from UNIBEN in 1992, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 15 December, 1993
He served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Kano State, and upon the completion of his service year, he joined the firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje &Co. in Warri, Delta State where he was extremely privileged to cut his teeth in legal practice under the tutelage of the late, great sage: Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR, who was one of the most seasoned Litigators of his time.
It was under Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, that he (Olumide) learnt the rudiments of litigation and court room advocacy.
Olumide relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had just set up the law firm,Templars in 1996, after honing his skills in the firm of F. O. Akinrele & Co. under the leadership of the legendary Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN.From 1996 to date, he worked with Oghogho, and his colleagues at Templars, in building and sustaining a world class, multi-sectoral and full-service law firm which is now in the 25th year of its existence and consists of over 100 fee-earners,including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Akpata is currently Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of Templars, which comprises the following practice areas: Mergers & Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Corporate Law; Labour & Employment; Immigration; Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology; and Regulatory Compliance.
