When Pinheiro LP Feted Chukwudi Enebeli Over SAN Rank

It was an evening of joy and glamour on Sunday, 13 October, when leading law firm Kemi Pinheiro LP celebrated one of its senior partners, Chukwudi Enebeli, following his elevation to the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

The celebration, which was held at the highbrow Kaly Restaurant on Victoria Island, Lagos, featured leading lights of the country’s inner and outer Bar, and Bench, as well as top government functionaries and politicians.

Enebeli, from Ndokwa-East Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State and a 2008 alumnus of the University of Benin, attained the rank of Silk in August, just 15 years after his call to the Nigerian Bar on November 3, 2009.

The LPPC, the highest decision-making body of the legal profession in Nigeria, awards the SAN rank to members of the Bar, that have distinguished themselves as advocates or academics.

Pinheiro LP chambers Founding Partner and Managing Director Dr. Oluwakemi Pinheiro SAN, heaped praises on Enebeli.

An excited Pinheiro noted that Enebeli joined Pinheiro LP as a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member and, by dint of hard work, rose to a partner in the Chambers.

He said: “I’m so joyous today. Chukwudi started with us as a youth corp member; he’s so dedicated and straightforward. You can sleep with your two eyes closed when you entrust something to him and that is why Pinheiro LP decided to honour him with this colourful event.”

Other members of the Chambers including include Adebowale Kamoru, Bolu Agbaje, Thaddeus Ideyin, Ogbonna Chukwumerije among others, also paid glowing tributes to the celebrant.

Apart from judges of the High Court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court, other members of the Bar and Bench who graced the colourful event included former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), former Lagos House of Assembly member Babatunde Ogala (SAN), immediate past Attorney-General of Lagos State Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Professor Febian Ajogwu (SAN) and Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution Dr. Babajide Martins, among others.

Other dignitaries at the event included former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former deputy governor of Lagos State Femi Pedro, His Royal Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II of Lagos, CEO of Petrocam Oil and Gas Trading Limited, Mr Patrick Ilo, and Managing Director of Aiteo, Sir Victor Okoronkwo, among others.

The guests were treated to fine wine and dinner, while being entertained by Dare Art Alade.

The celebrant expresses his gratitude to God almighty and thank friends and Associates

“Good evening, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, family, and friends. While I try to stand on the existing protocol, permit me to recognize the presence of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Aloogba, the Justices of the High Courts, all Senior Advocates, my wonderful Parents, all members of the legal profession as well as the esteemed clients of Pinheiro LP, whom through their support, our Practice thrives.

It is with immense gratitude and humility that I stand before you today. Being conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a great honor, I could not have achieved alone. Tonight, as I reflect on this incredible milestone in my career, I am filled with a deep sense of appreciation for the individuals and experiences that have shaped my journey.

Acknowledgements: First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God for His grace, guidance, and countless blessings that have made this achievement possible. Without His favor, none of this would be within my reach.

To my family, you are my backbone and my constant source of strength. I particularly appreciate my parents, Dr. & Mrs. Paul Enebeli for instilling the right moral values in myself and my four (4) brothers. Without that proper foundation, I will not be standing here today. To my Lagos Island family, the Pinheiro family, I want to appreciate the love all through the years. I thank my Lord Justice Pinheiro for the support she has given me and for taking me as a son. The Pinheiros’ home has remained open to me for the past fifteen years of my Career. There is nothing parents will do for their children the Pinheiros’ have not done for me. My only grievance is that I am yet to be allocated a room in the Brazilian Quarters in Lagos Island. I will come back to Dr. Pinheiro OFR, SAN shortly. To my two families, your unwavering support, patience, and sacrifices have sustained me through I owe this achievement to you as much as to my efforts.

Mentors and Colleagues: Now to my mentor, big brother, friend and Founding Partner, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro OFR, SAN, I have deliberately refused to call you my boss this day because you have never related to me as your subordinate but more as a friend, partner and business associate. I joined Pinheiro LP, then Pinheiro & Company with no experience but you guided me with wisdom and love. You never judged me by my tribe or religion. You assessed me and related with me based on who I was. You have shown that you are indeed a detribalized Nigerian. I say thank you. You showed me the way you had passed and saw nothing wrong going through that journey with me just to ensure that I finished well. At every point during my journey to take Silk you gave much more that 100% support. I remember when you abandoned a very important meeting, sat in the Car in the Supreme Court to wait for me for over an hour to ensure I obtained a date at the Supreme Court. On the two occasions I applied for the rank, you paid the application fee and assigned your driver in Abuja to be available to me anytime I touch down in Abuja. Your home in Abuja was always open to me. Once again I thank my Lord, Justice Pinheiro for this. KP, I thank you for bending down to lift me up. I thank you for the PLP platform through which I have become known in the legal profession and even in my dear State, Delta State.

To my colleagues and the brilliant minds, I have worked with over the years in Pinheiro LP; thank you for challenging me, encouraging me, supporting me and working alongside me. Every case we have fought, every court we have appeared in, every case we have worked on together has contributed to this moment. I share this honor with you all.

Closing: I thank everyone here for celebrating this moment with me. Your presence means the world to me, and I am truly blessed to have such notable personalities here today. On behalf of the Board of Partners of Pinheiro LP we wish you all a safe journey back to your respective destinations and a fruitful and rewarding week ahead. Thank you, and God bless”.

Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, SAN was born on September 16th in Lagos, Nigeria.

While at the University of Benin, Enebeli, served as Public Relations Officer (PRO) in 2006 and later elected President of the Law Students’ Association (LAWSA) in 2007.

During his tenure as the PRO, he published and re-launched the Jurist Magazine and as President of LAWSA UNIBEN, he led initiatives to improve the Faculty of Law’s infrastructure including overhauling the Lecture Theatres, renovating the restrooms, and the installation of Air Conditioning systems in a Lecture Theatre.

In his role as President, he also organized a Home Coming Event for the Alumni of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, who had distinguished themselves in the Legal Profession.

The event, which was known as “The Distinguished Graduates Award” had in attendance notable Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Senior Lawyers, and some Company Secretaries of multinationals.

Over N1 Million Naira was raised for LAWSA at this event.

Enebeli is an accomplished courtroom advocate, known for handling criminal, arbitration, insolvency, election-related, and commercial litigation cases across all levels of Nigerian courts, with notable judgments to his credit.