Michael Agbedor Abu Ozekhome (born 15 October 1957) is a Nigerianjurist and constitutional lawyer. He is widely recognized for his contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence and civil liberties, and claims to have authored over 70 books and numerous academic papers on law, governance, democracy, and human rights.[1]
Ozekhome has also played a pivotal role in advancing justice, democracy, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Education
Ozekhome was born on 15 October 1957 in Iviukwe, Agenebode, Edo State, Nigeria. He began his education at St. Mary's Catholic Primary School (now Athekhai Primary School), Iviukwe, where he excelled academically. He continued at St. Peter's College, Agenebode, and later attended Baptist Academy, Lagos. He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1980, during which he received several academic prizes. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the bar in July 1981. In 1983, he obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, further solidifying his legal expertise. Ozekhome has since received 14 honorary doctorate degrees, including a Ph.D., JD, LL.D., D.Litt., D.Sc., D.Ed., D.Arts, DLE and Hon.DL from various institutions worldwide.[2] It is important to note that he received his Hon.DL (Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa), as well as several awards ("One of the Great Minds of the 21st Century", "One of the 100 Outstanding Personalities of the 20th Century", "International Man of the Year", etc.) from the International Biographical Center (IBC). This institution is notorious for creating awards and certificates[3] and selling them for US$495 around the year 2004.[4] He was also featured in several of the publication's "Who is Who" scam[3]reference works such as "Who is Who in Edo State", "Who is Who in Etsako", and "Who is Who in the Legal profession".[2]
Ozekhome's legal career began with his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting to the Ministry of Justice in Yola, followed by a stint at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos, where he served as state counsel for the National Provident Fund (now Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund). He later joined the chambers of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, GCFR, rising to Deputy Head of Chambers by 1985. In 1986, he established Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers (Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public), a multi-office law firm that has handled numerous landmark cases and pro bono work, notably securing the release of many indigent detainees.
In 2009, Ozekhome was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee. His legal practice has shaped Nigerian jurisprudence through high-profile cases addressing constitutional law, human rights, and governance. He serves as Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), African Bar Association (ABA), and Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU).
A co-founder of Nigeria's first human rights organization, the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Ozekhome has been a lifelong advocate for citizens’ rights. In 1985, alongside Chief Gani Fawehinmi, he co-founded the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR), a leading legal publication. In 1998, he co-established the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), instrumental in ending military rule in Nigeria. Ozekhome has participated in national reform efforts, including the Nigerian National Conferences of 2005, 2009, and 2014. He founded the Universal Defenders of Justice Initiative (UDJI) and the Mike Ozekhome Foundation (MOF), the latter providing aid to vulnerable communities. In 2019, Ozekhome was fined N40 million by the Supreme Court due to the fact that he filed a "frivolous, vexatious and irritating motion".[5]
Ozekhome holds visiting professorships at Nigerian and international universities, and contributes to global discourse on law and governance. He is a weekly columnist in Nigerian newspapers, a public affairs analyst, and a frequent television commentator. His advocacy has earned him titles such as Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) and Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students (SANs) from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as well as honorary citizenship of Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas.
Kidnap and release
On 23 August 2013, Ozekhome was kidnapped at the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Nigeria, with his driver Chinedu.[6] The abduction at Ehor led to the deaths of four policemen who attempted to intervene. Ozekhome was held with about a dozen others in a bush camp. He was held for approximately 20 days before being released on 12 September 2013.[7] During his captivity, Ozekhome was reportedly held in solitary confinement and later reunited with his son Ilugbekhai and Head of Abuja Chambers, Dominic Ezerioha, who had also been taken by the kidnappers on 6 September 2013.[6]
He was released on 12 September 2013. Whether a ransom was paid or not was not disclosed.[6][7] Following his release, he and his wife traveled to the United States for medical attention. On 25 September 2013, the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a key suspect in the kidnapping. Ozekhome later described the ordeal as "20 days of mental torture",[6] emphasizing his resilience and commitment to justice despite personal risk.
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