DG Nigerian Law School, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and 13 Others Confirmed Life Benchers
Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, has confirmed the Director General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma; human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and 13 other prominent legal practitioners as life members of the prestigious body.
The body further confirmed Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage; retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ejembi Eko and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking persons in Africa, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN) life benchers.
The confirmation of Sen. Bamidele and the 14 other life entrants was released on January 23, according to a statement by the Senate Leader’s Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in Abuja on Sunday.
Part of the statement read: “With the newly confirmed life benchers, the total number of life benchers in the country has now risen to 170, a cap set for the next five years before new life members would be admitted into the body of practitioners of the highest distinction in the legal profession.
“The elevation of the new life benchers is obviously in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the development of legal profession in the country and for upholding the integrity and excellence of the legal profession.
“Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the Ninth National Assembly, was first appointed into the Body of Benchers as a Bencher in November 2019.
“His tenure as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters witnessed remarkable reforms, working closely with the leadership of both the judicial and executive arms of the government.
“Among others, there was greater attention to the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers and staff through increased budgetary provisions to the Judiciary.
“The Bill for the increase in the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 was also passed by the legislature and assented to by the executive.
