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Senate leader, 14 others confirmed life benchers

By Victor Akinkuolie
Ado-Ekiti

The Body of Benchers, chaired by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), has confirmed the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and 13 other distinguished legal practitioners as life members of the prestigious body.

The confirmation was officially announced on Thursday, January 23, 2025, during the body’s meeting held at its headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The new life benchers include the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma; the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage; retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ejembi Eko; and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons in Africa, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN).

With these confirmations, the total number of life benchers in the country has reached 170, a figure capped for the next five years before new members can be admitted into this elite body of legal practitioners.

The elevation of these members recognizes their exceptional contributions to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria and their dedication to upholding the integrity and excellence of the legal field.

Senator Bamidele, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters in the Ninth National Assembly, was first appointed as a Bencher in November 2019.

During his tenure as Chairman, significant reforms were achieved in collaboration with the judiciary and executive arms of government. These included improved welfare and working conditions for judicial officers and staff through increased budgetary allocations to the judiciary.

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Additionally, the legislature passed a bill raising the retirement age for judicial officers from 65 to 70, which was later assented to by the executive.

Called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1992, Senator Bamidele is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the International Bar Association.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria), the Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, and the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration in Nigeria.

Bamidele’s public service includes serving as Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development under Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and as Commissioner of Information and Strategy under Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. He also chaired the House Committee on Legislative Research and Budget in the Seventh National Assembly.

Academically, he graduated with honors in 1986 from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Driven by his passion for justice, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Benin in 1990, also with honors.

He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Laws degree from the Franklin Pierce School of Law, University of New Hampshire, specializing in Intellectual Property Law with a focus on international patent, trademark, copyright law, and technology licensing.

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Senate leader, 14 others confirmed life benchers

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