The Body of Benchers, the highest regulatory organ of the legal profession in Nigeria, recently inducted several distinguished legal professionals as Life Benchers at an event held at its headquarters in Abuja.

The event was attended by many legal luminaries including Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who delivered the keynote address. Others in attendance included Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, former President of the Court of Appeal; Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo, former Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, to name a few.

Describing the occasion as a historic milestone, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, noted that the occasion was the first formal induction and orientation of Benchers in the history of the body, emphasizing its role in upholding the highest ethical and professional standards in Nigeria’s legal profession.

In all, 17 prominent jurists were conferred with the rank of “Life Bencher,” bringing the total number of Life Benchers in Nigeria to 170, while 21 new members were admitted into the prestigious body as Benchers.

Among those elevated to the rank of Life Bencher is former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Treasurer, HRH Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede (nee Nejo).

Others are Hon. Justice Adarna Iyayi-Lamikanra; Hon. Justice Ngozi P. Emehelu; Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu; Chief Offiong E.B. Offiong, SAN; Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN; Razak Osayande Isenalumhe, Esq; Lady Gloria Umoren mni; Prof. Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN; Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN; Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR; Mr. Solomon Umoh, SAN; Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON; A. K. Jingi, Esq; Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR; Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko, and (HRH) Hon. Justice Sidi Bage, CFR.

Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, Ajibola-Oluyede, whose formative years and early education took place in London, UK, is a transnational commercial attorney and Co-founding Partner at TRLPLAW Solicitors & Advocates. She has over 39 years experience as a legal practitioner, and provides legal insight and expertise across a range of industries to the firm’s most prominent clientele globally.

A passionate women and human rights advocate and prolific speaker, Oluyede speaks regularly at global conferences – seasonally organizing widely acclaimed international conferences at the United Nations. She also organizes international conferences in collaboration with her universal network of humanitarian organizations which include the International Bar Association (IBA), American Bar Association (ABA) Int’l Law Section, International Federation of Women Layers (FIDA) USA; African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) INT’L, the Geneva-based International Alliance of Women.

Reputed as a “blue-blooded princess” of the Akenneyin Royal Dynasty of Mahin in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State, the former Chair of the International Bar Association African Regional Forum was happily married for 43 years with children and grandchildren to the late Alaiyeluwa HRM Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede. The late monarch of the Ayede-Ogbese kingdom in Ondo State was renowned as a legal luminary and entrepreneur.

Expressing her gratitude to GOD for her elevation to the coveted rank, Ajibola-Oluyede ascribed the achievement to the unwavering support of her late husband “who lovingly prodded me along and was, at all times, my ultimate mentor and greatest cheerleader at every stage.”

She reiterated her commitment to GOD, to justice, equity and dignity for all, while pledging to continue to uphold the integrity of the legal profession globally in all her endeavors “in every sphere, as she has done glowingly, in the past four decades.”