Profile Of Justices Of The Supreme Court Of Nigeria

After the recent judgement by Supreme Court of Justice, I was curious to know who the Justice of Supreme Court and i am sure many of us do not know anything about them. Therefore, I decided to share with you the profile and the pictures of our Lordship for those who don't know them. These are the list and profile of the Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: 1, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed GCON Justices Mahmud Mohammed who hails from Jalingo in Taraba State was born the 10th of November 1946. He studied for his Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1970; after which he attended the Nigerian Law School, in Lagos and was subsequently called to bar in 1971. He began his career in public service with the Ministries of Justice of the defunct North-eastern state, and Gongola State, and the judiciaries of the Defunct Gongola State. In 1991, he was appointed the Acting Chief judge of Taraba State, and later confirmed the Substantive Chief Judge of Taraba State in the same year. Prior to being appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2005, he was Justice of the Court of Appeal, and then Presiding Justice. In addition to his legal qualifications, he has holds a certificate in legislative drafting (from the Commonwealth Institute of Legislative Drafting); a certificate in human resources planning and management (from the National Institute of Public Management, Washington USA); a certificate of administration of justice in a presidential system of government (from the Institute of Judicial Administration, University of New York USA); and a certificate in government legal advisers course (from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London, UK). In his years in public service, he has served as a member of several committees and panels on national assignment. He received national recognition, been awarded with Commander of Order of the Niger (CON) as well as Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR). Mahmud Mohammed has attended several workshops and seminars; he has also presented papers at different judicial workshops. He is a member of the Bar Council, Council of Legal Education, and the Body of Benchers. He is married with children, and his hobbies include reading, swimming, farming, animal rearing and photography. http://supremecourt.gov.ng/profile/justices

2, Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen CFR Justices Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen was born on the 22nd December, 1950 at Okurike Town, Biase L.G.A. of Cross Rivers State. He attended the Presbyterian Primary School, Okurike Town between 1959 and 1965. He later proceeded to Accra, Ghana to attend Odorgorno Secondary School, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana between 1967 and 1972 for his West African Examination Council (WAEC) Exams. He was at Accra Academy, Accra Ghana between 1972 and 1974 for his WAEC (A-Levels) before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana between 1974 and 1977 to obtain his Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B (Hons)) and graduated with 2nd Class Upper Division. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1977 and 1978 for his B.L certificate. Her previous professional appointments/positions held include: Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos, Ogun State (1978 - 1979) Partner in the Law Firm of Effiom Ekong & Company, Calabar (1979 – 1988) Principal Partner/Head of Chamber of Walter Onneghen & Associates, Calabar (1988 -1989) High Court Judge, Cross Rivers State Judiciary (1989 - 1998) Chairman, Cross Rivers State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal (1990 - 1993) Chairman, Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Student of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar (1996) Chairman, Failed Bank Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1998) Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992 - 2004) Justice of the Court of Appeal (1998 – 2005) A Fellow, Chaterred Institute of Arbitrators, Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen has attended several conferences and seminars around the world. He is a member of the Body of Bencher and Life Bencher. Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) since 2005. 3, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad CFR Justices Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was born on 31st December, 1953 at Doguwa – Giade, Giade LGA of Bauchi State. After his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Azare in 1973, he proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his Bachelor of Law degree (1980). He later got his LL.M (1984) and Ph.D in Law (1998) from the same University. His professional appointments and positions held include: Magistrate Grade II (1982 – 1984) Magistrate Grade I & Ag. Snr Magistrate Grade II ( 1984 – 1986) Senior Magistrate II (May 1986 – July 1986) Deputy Chief Registrar/Chief Magistrate, FCT High Court (1989 – 1991) Judge (Kadi), Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal (1991 – 1993) Justice, Court of Appeal (1993 – 2006) Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC) in 2006 and sworn in on 7th January, 2007.

4, Hon. Justice Muhammad S. Muntaka-Coomassie CFR Justices Justice Muntaka Connmassie initialed trained as a teacher, prior to joining the legal profession; He taught Arabic and English teach in both Kaduna and Zaria Sates, retiring from the teaching profession as the principal of Provincial Arabic School in Fada , Zaria State, after a decade spent at the profession. He obtained his Law degree (LL.B) in 1976, and was called to bar, after having attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1977. He was a state counsel for the Ministry of Justice in Kwara State (1977 to 1978), and Kaduna State (1978). Between 1978 and 1988, he was with the High court (in Kaduna) in various capacities; initially as an associate magistrate and then as a senior magistrate, chief magistrate, deputy chief registrar, and finally as the chief registrar. Prior to joining the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2008, he was a Judge at the court of Appeal, serving in Port Harcourt, Jos, Abuja, Ilorin, and Benin divisions. He was awarded with the Time News Magazine Nigeria merit award in 2006; He was on national assignment as a member of the Karibi Whyte Disturbance Tribunal Abuja (1986-1987). The Hon. Justice Muntaka Connmassie has attended several workshops and seminars on sharia, and other aspects of law. He is a member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers. He is happily married with children, and enjoys football, table tennis and travelling to broaden his horizon 5,Hon. Justice Suleiman Galadima CFR Justices THE PROFILE OF HONORABLE JUSTICE SULEIMAN GALADIMA Honorable Justice Suleiman Galadima was born on October in 1946 at Nasarawa State. He attended the Katsina Secondary School, and proceeded to Government College Keffi in 1965. He got his LLB in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and in 1977 got his BL (Hons) at the Nigerian Law School 1978, also his LLM in the University of Jos in 1985. His Lordship worked as a revenue/legal officer with Customs and excise in 1969, and as Assistant Legal Aid Leader NYSC Anambra State: State Counsel Ministry of Justice, Law Review commission Secretary, Anambra State. He became the Magistrate in July, 1978 and in March 1990 Hon. Justice Suleiman Galadima was appointed Attorney General and the Commission of Justice Plateau state, he became High Court Judge of Plateau State High Court May 1991, and later became the chief Judge of Nasarawa State in October 1996, at the creation of Nasarawa State. His Lordship was appointed Justice of the Court of Appeal on 9th December 1998, and was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court in 2010 His Lordship has attended several global seminars within and outside Nigeria, such as 19th Bi-Annual International Bar Conference in New Delhi in India, Uk, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana Law conference in 1984 among others. His Lordship had received several meritorious award and national awards such as Achiever Awards 2003, Development Achievers Gold Award 2007, and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and Officer of the Order of Federal Republic (OFR) in 2011 respectively. My Lordship is happily married with children; he enjoys reading, photography, swimming, hunting, farming, gardening, current affairs, cultural activities, reading of Islamic scriptures and docume

6,Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour CFR Justices Hon. Justice Bode – Rhode Vivour was born into the famous family of Hon. Justice Chief Akinwunmi R.W Rhodes-Vivour (deceased) of Lagos Island, Lagos state on the 22nd March 1951. His Lordship had his basic educational background in Nigeria, where he got his LL.B (Hons) in the university of Lagos in 1974 and B.L at the Nigeria Law School in 1975.In 1983 his Lordship travelled to Chicago, U.S.A for Advanced course in Legislative Drafting and also got Certificate in Legislative Drafting in School of Law, Nairobi, a course conducted under auspices of Commonwealth Programme in 1979. Hon. Justice Bode – Rhode Vivour had served both at the State level and National level, He served as a Pupil State Counsel in 1975 with Lagos State Government, where he rose through the level of position to Director of Public Prosecutions between 1989-1994.He was appointed High Court Judge in 1994, and promoted to Court of Appeal in 2005 and was sworn in as Justice of Supreme Court Of Nigeria in 2010.He was also on International and Foreign posting in 2008,where he was on secondment from the Nigeria Government of the Sierra Leone Judiciary as Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone. His Lordship had served as a member of many national assignments such as: Election Petition Tribunal, Rivers and Imo States1999, Election Petition Tribunal, kwara and Anambra State 2003-2004, Election Petition Tribunal Edo state 2005-2006, Member Election Appeal Tribunal, Oyo, Ogun and Osun State 2009. His Lordship had attended several conference within and outside Nigeria; Delegate and Repourture at the all Nigerian Judges conferences Abuja in 2001,Reform of Criminal Justice System The Hague, Netherland 2003 and he had written an delivered several papers which includes; "Institution of Criminal proceedings" delivered at the Training programme for the newly appointed Judges of Lagos State in 2001, 'Fair Hearing, Law and Practice' delivered at the Zonal Workshop For Customary Court Judges in Southern Zone organised by the National Judiciary Institute in June 2001, " Nigeria Judiciary in the 21st century, The Expectations", delivered at the Nigeria Judges Conference in 2011, 'Law and Social Change' paper presented at The 2012 Ogun state judge's Conference October 2012 among others. His Lordship's philanthropic gestures and his dedication to justice, Law and Order in the society and his invaluable service to humanity had been recognised has he got several meritorious awards such as A recipient of the Lagos State Judiciary Merit Award 2003.Honoured by Lagos State Government for outstanding Contribution to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice 2003.Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria CFR 2012. His Lordship is a member of some notable clubs and professional associations. He is a lover of sport movies and documentaries, and he enjoys reading, and his happily married with children. 7,Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta CFR Justices PROFILE OF HON. JUSTICE NWALI SYLVESTER NGWUTA Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta was born in 1951 in Amofia-Ukawu, Onicha Local government Ebonyi State. His lordship had his basic education in the Eastern part of Nigeria and got his LLB in University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University). lle-ife in 197- and BL at the Nigerian law school in 1978. My lord, Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, is an hard working and dedicated public servant, who was a primary school teacher, far back as 1966, he became a clerical officer (Account Ministry of Education in (Divisional School Board, Afikpo) August 1971).His lordship was deployed as the state counsel in charge, Ministry of justice, Oturkpo, Benue State, during his National Youth Service Programme in August 1978-october 1979. He started his private legal practice at Abakaliki in July 1978-October 1995, from where he was appointed a judge of the High Court Abia state in October 1995 and there promoted to the Court of Appeal on 22nd May, 2003, was finally sworn-in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in May 2011. His lordship was the chairman of judicial panel of inquiry into the Obegu Enyibichirikwo Disturbance1997-1998 and has been a member of several Election Petition Tribunal, Governship and legislative House Election Petition Tribunal; Nasarawa State held at Lafia in February 1999, National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Plateau State held at Jos in April 1999, among others. His Lordship had attended several seminars within and outside Nigeria, and also presented several papers; "Elements of Good Brief Writing" delivered on 9th Nov.2005 on prosecution of Appeals for legal officers in Delta State Ministry of justice, "The Importance of Locus standi and Jurisdiction to the Dispensation of justice in Nigeria and Effect of same where Absent" delivered at law Dinner organised by law students' Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi state University Chapter, Abakaliki on 17th August 2007. His lordship had received several awards such as Human Rights Awards by Human Rights Commission, Ebonyi state, on the World Human Right Day December 2000, Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award 2011/2012 by West African Students Union Parliament on 25th April, 2012, and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) 2012. Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta is happily married with children

8,Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili CFR Justices Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Odili was born on the 12th May, 1952 at Amudi Obizi, Ezinitte – Mbaise L.G.A. of Imo State. She attended various primary schools including St Benedict's Primary School, Obizi Ezinitte, St Michael's Primary School, Umuahia, St Agnes Primary School, Maryland, Lagos and Our Lady of Apostles Primary School, Yaba, Lagos between 1959 and 1965. She also attended various secondary schools including Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Owerri Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Mbaise Girls Secondary School, Mbaise and the Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha between 1965 and 1972. She later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu Campus) and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B (Hons)) in 1976. She attended the Nigerian Law School in 1977 for her B.L certificate. Her previous professional appointments/positions held include: Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Abeokuta, Ogun State (1977 – 1978) Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Benin, Bendel State (1978) Magistrate Grade III, Benin, Bendel State (1978 -1979) Chairman, Juvenile Court, Benin, Bendel State (1978 - 1978) Magistrate Grade II, Rivers State(1979 – 1981) Chairman, Juvenile Court, Rivers State (1979 - 1981) Magistrate Grade I, Chief Magistrate Grade I (1981 - 1992) Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992 - 2004) Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division (2004 - 2010) Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division (2010 – 2011) Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Odili was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) on 23rd June, 2011. 9,Hon. Justice Olukayode Akintola Justices Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

10,Hon. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi Justices THE PROFILE OF HON. JUSTICE C.B. OGUNBIYI (JSC) Hon. Justice (MRS). Clara Bata Ogunbiyi was born on 27th February 1948, at Lassa, Borno State. He had his primary education in Borno State. His Lordship started his Legal Career with Diploma in Law in Ahamadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in October 1969 – June 1971. He returned for his L.L.B Hons in the same institution between October 1972 -June 1975. He was called to the bar in 1976. He served the National Service (NYSC) between July1976 and June 1977. He obtained a Masters degree in Criminology at University of Hull (United Kingdom) in 1982 and Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) University of Maiduguri in 2002. His Lordship commenced his Civil Service Career as a Clerical Officer in Northern Nigerian Marketing Board, Kaduna in November 1967 to September 1969. Assistant Registrar High Court of Justice Maiduguri October 1971 – 1971 September 1972. He served as a corper at the Ministry of Justice Kaduna State July 1976 – June 1977. Thereafter he rose to the position of State in July 1977. While in Ministry of Justice, he progressively rose through the ranks to Senior State Counsel in August 1979. Thereafter Senior State Counsel I & II August 1979 – January 1983. Then from 1st February 1983 - November 1984, he held the position of Deputy Director of Public Prosecution (DDPP). The next appointment was Director Civil Litigation December 1984 to January 1987 following which he was appointed as a High Court Judge of Borno State Judiciary making him the first lady Judge at Borno State and the entire Northeast Sub region. He was appointed Justice of the Court of Appeal October 2002. He also served as presiding justice, Court of Appeal Ibadan, Lagos and Jos Divisions. He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2012. His Lordship has had several publications, among which are; Sentencing and Prison System in England and Wales, for the award of Masters Degree in Criminology in the University of Hull – England in March 1982. The Concept of Fundamental Human Rights to Education in Nigeria (being a thesis submitted to the school of post graduate studies University of Maiduguri in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of a postgraduate Diploma in Education in January 2002. His Lordship belongs to several Clubs and Professional Associations and was the 1st woman Judge in the North Eastern Sub – Region. Hon. Justice (Mrs). Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (JSC) is happily married with children and enjoys Housekeeping, Gardening, Walking, Reading and engaging in religious activities, adventurous and humanitarian activities. He has travelled far and wide, to virtually all continents of the world. 11,Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs OFR Justices PROFILE OF HON. JUSTICE KUMAI BAYANG AKAAHS Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs was born on 12th December 1949 in Kpak-Kagoro in Kaura Local Government Area Kaduna State. His Lordship attended St. Joseph's Primary School Kagoro from January 1956-December 1962; St. John Vianney Seminary Barkin Ladi from January 1963-Febuary 1966 and completed his Secondary School in St. Mary's (now Government Secondary School) F\Kaje, Zonkwa before proceeding to St. John's (Rimi) College, Kaduna for his H.S.C from January 1968-December 1969. He later gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in September 1970, where he got his LLB in June 1973. He got his BL in 1975 at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos His Lordship served as State Counsel II North Central State Ministry of Justice Kaduna in 1975, Senior State Counsel II Ministry of Justice Kaduna 1977-1978, and Senior State Counsel I Ministry of Justice Kaduna 1978-1979. A Principal State Counsel Ministry of Justice Kaduna January-June 1980. His Lordship practiced privately between 1980-May 1986, and was finally appointed as Judge of Kaduna State Judiciary on 6th May 1986. He was appointed Justice Court of Appeal on 21st November 1998, and in September 2012, became Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria. His Lordship has attended several conferences and seminars within and outside Nigeria, among which are: • All Nigerian Judges Conference Abuja, 1988, • International Conference on the Criminal Justice System Sydney Australia in 1989, • International Conference Reform on Criminal Justice Scotland U.K. 2005. • International Conference on Arbitration Mauritius April 2011. His Lordship's dedication to justice and order in the society and his service to humanity had been noticed, as he had received several awards such as: • Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) 2010, • Kwame Nkrumah Servant Leadership Gold Award by West African Students Union Parliament (WASUP) 2012. His Lordship is happily married with children and enjoys reading and travelling.

12Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O Kekere-Ekun Justices Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo KEKERE-EKUN was born on the 7th of May, 1958. He obtained his LL.B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and a Masters Degree in Law from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983.He was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.His Lordship rose from the post of Senior Magistrate Grade II with Lagos State Judiciary to this present position as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. As a High Court Judge, his Lordship served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from November 1996-May 1999.He also served as a member of the court of Appeal ICT Committee from June 2011-July 2013.His Lordship has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria, such as Induction Course for Judicial Officers organized by the National Judicial Institute Abuja in May 1997;Case Management and Court Administration Training Workshop organized by the National Centre for State Courts in June 2001; ICT Training Course(Information Technology Infrastructure Library) in Dubai UAE in July 2012.From his wealth of knowledge on diverse areas of Law and national issues, His Lordship has delivered various papers, among which are "Delay in Election Tribunal Proceedings: Solutions "delivered at the All Nigeria Judges Conference, Abuja between 16th- 20th November, 2009 and "Law: A Tool for Social Change" delivered at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Branch Law Week on 30th November 2010.His Lordship is a member of some notable clubs and Professional Associations, and has received several merit awards. He enjoys playing the piano, reading, and swimming. He is happily married with Children.His Lordship is to be addressed as HON. JUSTICE K.M.O KEKERE-EKUN, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA. 13, Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro Justices