The story of Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, a core
litigation lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is one that
reflects the reward for hard work, perseverance and
diligence. Born on 18 July, 1965 into an Ibo speaking
family from Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area in
present day Anambra State of Nigeria, he started his educational
pursuit, charting a course for himself in the legal profession at
Premier Primary School, now All Saints Primary School, Onitsha,
Anambra where he sat and obtained his First School leaving
Certificate in 1976. He immediately proceeded to Ogbaru Boys
Secondary School between 1976 and 1977 for his post primary
education. He completed his secondary education at St. Joseph’s
Secondary School, Awka-Etiti in Anambra State where he obtained his
West African School Certificate in1981.
In 1984 he obtained an Ordinary Certificate in Business
Administration at School of Accountancy and Business Studies, Uyo,
Cross River State (an affiliate of Calabar Polytechnic at that
time); now Uyo City Polytechnic in Akwa Ibom State. An alumnus of
University of Calabar, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws
degree in 1990, Arthur Obi-Okafor obtained his Barrister at Law
certificate in 1991, from the Nigerian Law School and was called to
Bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by
Hon. Justice Muhammed Bello, the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Arthur Obi Okafor; a mentee of Late Chief Dr. Chimezie
Ikeazor SAN, OON (Founder, Legal Aid Scheme for the Poor
in Nigeria), began his law practice in 1992 at the legal colossus’
law firm, then located at Ire village, Obosi, Anambra State,
now at House 56, 41 Crescent Gwarimpa Estate II, Abuja. Under
the tutelage of Chief Ikeazor, SAN, Arthur Obi Okafor, as a young
Counsel was exposed to the best of litigation, practice and
procedure in diverse aspects of Nigerian law. He was led by Chief
Ikeazor in some of the most-celebrated cases in our law reports,
such as; Chinemelu V. C O P (1995) 4 NWLR (Part 390) 467 @ 484 and
Anatogu v. Iweka II (1995) 8 NWLR (pt. 415) 547 among others. Since
then there has been no looking back in his quest to contribute to
the development of law practice in Nigeria.
Recognizing his passion for the profession and his insatiable
desire to learn, Chief Ikeazor gave Arthur Obi-Okafor an additional
responsibility as his Personal Assistant, a position that further
exposed him to different facets of law practice. He worked with
Chief Ikeazor until 1995 when he left to establish the law firm of
Arthur Obi Okafor & Associates, with its first
office at 15 O’ Connor Street, American Quarters, Onitsha, Anambra
State. He has since the establishment of his first law firm set up
other offices at No. 2 Elochukwu Street, off Army Barracks 2nd
Gate, Onitsha, Anambra State and God Is Great Arena, at 82, Okpanam
Road, Off Arthur O Okafor SAN Avenue, Opposite Legislative
Quarters, Okpanam Road, Asaba, Delta State.
A strong believer and product of mentorship, whose firm has
produced members of the higher and lower bench, Arthur Obi-Okafor
opened the doors of his firms to young lawyers who are ready to
learn and has made it a veritable platform for pupilage. At present
he has over eighteen (18) lawyers under his mentorship, including a
Chief Administrator and four other support staff.
Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN
Arthur Obi Okafor is a litigation lawyer par excellence. With a
large clientele from different walks of life, he has concluded many
high profile and contentious civil and criminal litigations,
cutting across diverse areas, including election petitions, land
matters, receivership, company proceedings etc. at the Supreme
Court, Court of Appeal, Federal and State High Courts and other
superior courts of record. In furtherance of his strong belief in
making justice accessible, he consistently offers his experience
and expertise to indigent members of the society by handling their
matters pro bono. Below are some of the celebrated cases of the
Supreme Court that he participated in:
- Onuorah v. K.R.P.C Ltd. (2005) 6 NWLR (Pt. 921)
393. - Balonwu v. Governor of Anambra State 2009 18 NWLR 13
(Pt. 1172) - Peter Obi v. INEC (2007) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1046) 565.
- Edward Nkwegu Okereke v. Nweze David Umahi & Ors.
ALL FWLR 833. ELR/2016/44. - Ikechukwu v. Nwoye (2015) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1446) 367.
- Ilobachie v. Ilobachie (2005) 13 NWLR (Pt. 943)
695. - Odedo v. I.N.E.C (2008) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1117)554.
8.. Ejike Oguebego &Anor v. Peoples Democratic Party
& Ors. (SC.37/2015)[2016] NGSC 59 unreported judgment
delivered on the 29th day of January 2017
He has also delivered scholarly papers on diverse areas of
development of the legal profession and other topical issues at the
Annual General Conferences of the Nigerian Bar Association and
several fora of Nigerian Bar Association across the country. Some
of the topics he has treated extensively include;
- Economic Recession in Nigeria: The Legal Practitioners Survival
Strategy. - Understanding Appellate Practice in Nigeria.
- Enhancing Access to Justice Through Alternative Dispute
Resolution.
- Enhancing Consumer Rights of Protection Under the Law, Vis-a-
Vis The Impunity of Bills and Charges by Power, Network and Energy
Service Providers in Nigeria… Is the Consumer Helpless? - Opportunity and Challenges in the Gaming Industry.
- Strengthening the Nigerian Legal Framework for the Effective
Prosecution of Gender Based Violence.
- 21st Century Legal Profession and it’s Social
Responsibility Paradigm. - The Bar: Professional Ethics in Decline?
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow of
the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Concilliators, a very
active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar
Association and other professional Associations with great records.
Arthur Obi Okafor at various times has held the following
positions:
- Member Legal Profession Review Committee.
- Chairman Resource Committee of the NBA.
- Chairman NBA Disciplinary Committee for Anambra, Enugu and
Ebonyi States.
- Chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Asaba (2011 –
Present); - Member Land Committee of Nigerian Bar Association, Onitsha
Branch 2009. - President University of Calabar Alumni Association, Onitsha
Chapter (2003 – Present).
- NBA Representative on NEITI Civil Society Steering
Committee; - Chairman NBA Legislative Advocacy.
- Member, Defunct Idemili Local Govt. Town Planning Authority,
Anambra State 1995. - Member Idemili South Local Government Town Planning Authority,
Anambra State.
He was recently appointed Chairman of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Reform Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association.
In addition to the above, Arthur Obi Okafor is also an Assessor
with the Delta State Multi-Door Court House for listing
Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators.
Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN is a lover of sports and has used it as
an instrument in building bridges of unity across diverse divide;
this is evident in the fact that he is the sole sponsor of Eastern
Bar Forum Unity Football Tournament which has attracted
participation among the various branches of the 9 states that make
up the forum. He is the Chairman of Royal Court Academy and Royal
Court Football Academy.
In April 2010, Arthur Obi Okafor was conferred with the
prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the Supreme Court
of Nigeria. He is happily married to Mrs. Chioma Okafor (nee
Ikeazor), who is also a lawyer and the union is blessed with five
Children.
The story of Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, a core
litigation lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is one that
reflects the reward for hard work, perseverance and
diligence. Born on 18
July, 1965 into an Ibo speaking family from Abatete in Idemili
North Local Government Area in present day Anambra State of
Nigeria, he started his educational pursuit, charting a course for
himself in the legal profession at Premier Primary School, now All
Saints Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra where he sat and obtained
his First School leaving Certificate in 1976. He immediately
proceeded to Ogbaru Boys Secondary School between 1976 and 1977 for
his post primary education. He completed his secondary education at
St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Awka-Etiti in Anambra State where he
obtained his West African School Certificate in1981.
In 1984 he obtained an Ordinary Certificate in Business
Administration at School of Accountancy and Business Studies, Uyo,
Cross River State (an affiliate of Calabar Polytechnic at that
time); now Uyo City Polytechnic in Akwa Ibom State. An alumnus of
University of Calabar, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws
degree in 1990, Arthur Obi-Okafor obtained his Barrister at Law
certificate in 1991, from the Nigerian Law School and was called to
Bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by
Hon. Justice Muhammed Bello, the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Arthur Obi Okafor; a mentee of Late Chief Dr. Chimezie
Ikeazor SAN, OON (Founder, Legal Aid Scheme for the Poor
in Nigeria), began his law practice in 1992 at the legal colossus’
law firm, then located at Ire village, Obosi, Anambra State,
now at House 56, 41 Crescent Gwarimpa Estate II, Abuja. Under
the tutelage of Chief Ikeazor, SAN, Arthur Obi Okafor, as a young
Counsel was exposed to the best of litigation, practice and
procedure in diverse aspects of Nigerian law. He was led by Chief
Ikeazor in some of the most-celebrated cases in our law reports,
such as; Chinemelu V. C O P (1995) 4 NWLR (Part 390) 467 @ 484 and
Anatogu v. Iweka II (1995) 8 NWLR (pt. 415) 547 among others. Since
then there has been no looking back in his quest to contribute to
the development of law practice in Nigeria.
Recognizing his passion for the profession and his insatiable
desire to learn, Chief Ikeazor gave Arthur Obi-Okafor an additional
responsibility as his Personal Assistant, a position that further
exposed him to different facets of law practice. He worked with
Chief Ikeazor until 1995 when he left to establish the law firm of
Arthur Obi Okafor & Associates, with its first
office at 15 O’ Connor Street, American Quarters, Onitsha, Anambra
State. He has since the establishment of his first law firm set up
other offices at No. 2 Elochukwu Street, off Army Barracks 2nd
Gate, Onitsha, Anambra State and God Is Great Arena, at 82, Okpanam
Road, Off Arthur O Okafor SAN Avenue, Opposite Legislative
Quarters, Okpanam Road, Asaba, Delta State.
A strong believer and product of mentorship, whose firm has
produced members of the higher and lower bench, Arthur Obi-Okafor
opened the doors of his firms to young lawyers who are ready to
learn and has made it a veritable platform for pupilage. At present
he has over eighteen (18) lawyers under his mentorship, including a
Chief Administrator and four other support staff.
Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN
Arthur Obi Okafor is a litigation lawyer par excellence. With a
large clientele from different walks of life, he has concluded many
high profile and contentious civil and criminal litigations,
cutting across diverse areas, including election petitions, land
matters, receivership, company proceedings etc. at the Supreme
Court, Court of Appeal, Federal and State High Courts and other
superior courts of record. In furtherance of his strong belief in
making justice accessible, he consistently offers his experience
and expertise to indigent members of the society by handling their
matters pro bono. Below are some of the celebrated cases of the
Supreme Court that he participated in:
- Onuorah v. K.R.P.C Ltd. (2005) 6 NWLR (Pt. 921)
393. - Balonwu v. Governor of Anambra State 2009 18 NWLR 13
(Pt. 1172) - Peter Obi v. INEC (2007) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1046) 565.
- Edward Nkwegu Okereke v. Nweze David Umahi & Ors.
ALL FWLR 833. ELR/2016/44. - Ikechukwu v. Nwoye (2015) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1446) 367.
- Ilobachie v. Ilobachie (2005) 13 NWLR (Pt. 943)
695. - Odedo v. I.N.E.C (2008) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1117)554.
8.. Ejike Oguebego &Anor v. Peoples Democratic Party
& Ors. (SC.37/2015)[2016] NGSC 59 unreported judgment
delivered on the 29th day of January 2017
He has also delivered scholarly papers on diverse areas of
development of the legal profession and other topical issues at the
Annual General Conferences of the Nigerian Bar Association and
several fora of Nigerian Bar Association across the country. Some
of the topics he has treated extensively include;
- Economic Recession in Nigeria: The Legal Practitioners Survival
Strategy. - Understanding Appellate Practice in Nigeria.
- Enhancing Access to Justice Through Alternative Dispute
Resolution.
- Enhancing Consumer Rights of Protection Under the Law, Vis-a-
Vis The Impunity of Bills and Charges by Power, Network and Energy
Service Providers in Nigeria… Is the Consumer Helpless? - Opportunity and Challenges in the Gaming Industry.
- Strengthening the Nigerian Legal Framework for the Effective
Prosecution of Gender Based Violence.
- 21st Century Legal Profession and it’s Social
Responsibility Paradigm. - The Bar: Professional Ethics in Decline?
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow of
the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Concilliators, a very
active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar
Association and other professional Associations with great records.
Arthur Obi Okafor at various times has held the following
positions:
- Member Legal Profession Review Committee.
- Chairman Resource Committee of the NBA.
- Chairman NBA Disciplinary Committee for Anambra, Enugu and
Ebonyi States.
- Chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Asaba (2011 –
Present); - Member Land Committee of Nigerian Bar Association, Onitsha
Branch 2009. - President University of Calabar Alumni Association, Onitsha
Chapter (2003 – Present).
- NBA Representative on NEITI Civil Society Steering
Committee; - Chairman NBA Legislative Advocacy.
- Member, Defunct Idemili Local Govt. Town Planning Authority,
Anambra State 1995. - Member Idemili South Local Government Town Planning Authority,
Anambra State.
He was recently appointed Chairman of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Reform Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association.
In addition to the above, Arthur Obi Okafor is also an Assessor
with the Delta State Multi-Door Court House for listing
Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators.
Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN is a lover of sports and has used it as
an instrument in building bridges of unity across diverse divide;
this is evident in the fact that he is the sole sponsor of Eastern
Bar Forum Unity Football Tournament which has attracted
participation among the various branches of the 9 states that make
up the forum. He is the Chairman of Royal Court Academy and Royal
Court Football Academy.
In April 2010, Arthur Obi Okafor was conferred with the
prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the Supreme Court
of Nigeria. He is happily married to Mrs. Chioma Okafor (nee
Ikeazor), who is also a lawyer and the union is blessed with five
Children.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/profile-of-arthur-obi-okafor-san-fciarb/