Oyewole Set for Supreme Court Following NJC Recommendation
By Ranti Thomas
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the elevation of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode (JOK) Oyewole from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The recommendation was made during the NJC’s 110th meeting on January 13, 2026, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun. Justice Oyewole, like the CJN, is a product of the Lagos State Judiciary and previously occupied the courtroom now serving as the Court Registry at Ikeja High Court.
Justice Oyewole was born on May 13, 1965, in Ila Orangun, Osun State. He completed his primary education in Ijebu-Ode and Ibadan and attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, for his secondary education. In 1981, he gained admission to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study law, completing his degree in 1985. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Bar in 1986. Oyewole served his National Youth Service Corps in Benue State, where he worked as a Legal Officer with the Public Complaints Commission and founded the Benue Corpers Public Aid Group (BENCOPAG), providing free legal aid and educational support to the community.
After his service year, Oyewole returned to Lagos and worked with the law firm Afolabi Adeniran & Co before founding his own firm, Olubunmi Oyewole & Co, in 1988. His distinguished career in litigation and commercial law led to his appointment to the Lagos State High Court Bench on May 24, 2001. On the bench, he earned a reputation for integrity, efficiency, and courage, handling high-profile trials and administrative duties with distinction. He has received numerous awards and commendations from organizations including the United Nations and the NJC.
Justice Oyewole has presided over several landmark cases. Notable among them is the corruption trial of Chief Bode George, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the sensational fraud case involving Emmanuel Nwude and others, who swindled Banco Noroeste of Brazil of $242 million. He also handled the attempted murder case of the late Guardian Newspapers publisher Alex Ibru against former Chief of Army Staff Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi, Major Al-Mustapha Hamza, and others. For his efforts in anti-corruption and justice reforms, he received the Anti-Corruption Defender Award in 2007.
Beyond the courtroom, Justice Oyewole has contributed to reforms in criminal justice, probate administration, family courts, and anti-corruption legislation at both state and federal levels. He has actively trained judges, prosecutors, and investigators through programs organized by the United Nations, Commonwealth Secretariat, GIABA, EFCC, ICPC, the British Council, and the American Embassy.
He was appointed to the Court of Appeal on March 3, 2014, and served in Makurdi, Calabar, Enugu, and Abuja Divisions before returning to Enugu as Presiding Justice. Following the NJC recommendation, his appointment will be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ratification and then sent to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Justice Oyewole is married with children, all in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. A sports enthusiast, he is an avid supporter of Arsenal Football Club of England.