Ourworldgist’ overall personality man of the year for 2020, respected J.S Okutepa (SAN) clocked 28 years independence practice at the bar.
J.S. OKUTEPA, SAN who was full of appreciation for God faithful and protection upon his life through all these years made this known on Thursday 1st April, 2021 on his official Facebook page.
According him, he started the journey at a difficult time as all he had on him both home and abroad then was N100.00
His full post reads:
” On this day 1st April 1993, I set up my law firm and opened my law office at No: 51 Railway Bye Pass High Level Makurdi Benue State.
It was a tough decision to make. It was a decision that looks like April fool decision.
I did not have anything to start an office other than my determination to succeed. It was like a suicide mission. Nobody for me to look unto for help than God.
I started the journey of my legal independence on very rough note without any material and or financial resources.
I can’t recall having anything on me home and “abroad” more than N100.00.
I wanted to achieve distinction and be that gold in the practice of law.
And so I started endurance trek and journey of my legal practice on very rough note. My then learned friend and senior colleague at the Bar, Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga Esq, who later became a Judge and President of Kogi State Customary Court of Appeal, but now late, gave me his former office at High Level Makurdi,one year rent free.
May God bless the soul of his lordship.
In all these years, God has been my pillar, protector, defender and shield. I passed through the desert of life in legal practice on the road.
I also passed through wilderness of legal practice, populated with many challenges. I kept pressing to attain the mark and God kept me and sustained me.
God was and is my ever present in time of need.
When I look back from the beginning to where God has brought me today and where he will yet take me to, all I can say is thank you lord. For 28 solid years you made me who I am in the legal profession.
God did not leave me stagnant in this journey. He promoted me. Scriptures cannot be broken. He promised to bless the works of my hand and so he has done and He is still doing it.
He lifted me from nothing to something. He took me from grass to grace. Only God can do what no man can do. Happy 28 anniversary of 28 years of eventful legal practice to me”.
