Barrister Shina Ibiyemi is a legal practitioner based In Ilorin, a graduate from the University of Ilorin in 1999. He was called to the Bar in June 2001, after attending the Nigerian law school in Abuja being a member of the last unified set before the advent of multiple law schools in Nigeria.
He thereafter went to Cross River state for his youth service, and was partially with Chief Ojua at Ikom and Calabar where he had a stint in law.
Immediately he returned to Ilorin, he was partially with the law firm of Chief Kayode Olatoke for few months before he started his full pupilage with Chief Wole Olanipekun where he was till 2005,
Thereafter he went to Lagos to join the law breeders, from where joined the legal aid Council where he was till 2021, before starting his own private practice, where he is the principal partner named, Ibiyemi Ibiyemi & Co, located at Reservation road GRA, Ilorin.
In this chat with JIMOH SULYMAN, the vibrant lawyer recounted one of his most memorable moment in practice. Excerpt;
There was a time my principal then, Chief Wole Olanipekun and I went to Omu Aran together, it was for a chieftaincy matter but can’t remember the name of the clients
The matter was slated for cross examination.
As at that time, there was no mobile phone, so my boss just took an excuse from me right in the courtroom and left and thereafter the judge came in and I was left all alone as a junior Counsel.
Lo and behold on the other side was Chief Awomolo SAN, I was left to face the Senior Advocate of Nigeria alone, but as a member of his chamber, Chief Wole Olanipekun will always make sure you’re well organised.
Naturally we always do pretrial in our office but facing chief Awomolo alone one on one sent cold chills down my spine.
It was during harmattan but I was seriously sweating, panicking, it was written all over my face, you’ll hear it in my voice, very shaky voice while addressing the court, I was seriously troubled but I performed very well and the presiding judge commended and congratulated me .
Till date I still couldn’t face my boss, chief Wole Olanipekun to ask why did he abandoned me in court, but actually it was a very good thing and till date I’m still benefiting from his training, chief Wole Olanipekun remains the best teacher whom I benefited much from.
That day is a day I will always remember for the rest of my life, if I hadn’t been properly prepared, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with the pressure.
