Prof. Ernest Ernest Ojukwu SAN also known as ”The
teacher’ was the Secretary of the NBA Aba Branch (1992-1993),
Chairman, NBA Aba Branch (1997-1999); Founder, Pioneer Chairman,
NBA Eastern Bar Forum (2004-2011), Member, Executive Committee NBA
Aba Branch. (1992- 2015) and Member, National Executive Committee
of the NBA. (1992-2014; 2016-present).
He has been into active legal practice over the years. From
1984-1985, he served his NYSC in the Legal Aid Yola. He was
Counsel, Law Firm of GNA Atulomah and Co, Aba from 1985- 1988.
Counsel, Law Firm of GNA Atulomah and Co, Aba. He was partner to
Ekenna Nwajei Nwauche & Ojukwu Aba from 1988- 1992; Partner,
Nwonye and Ojukwu, Aba from 1992-2001 –2014; presently partner,
OJUKWU FAOTU & YUSUF (OFY-Lawyers), Aba, and Abuja and was
appointed in 2014 as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
He was the Alternate Chairman, NBA Conference Planning Committee
2003 and Member, NBA Conference Planning Committee 2002. He
was the Chairman of the NBA Law Reform Committee (2002-2004) which
produced a new Legal Practitioners Act in 2004. He was also the
Chairman, Future State of the Legal Profession Sub-Committee of the
NBA Legal Profession Review and Reform Committee, 2017; Nigerian
Bar Association Committee on the state of the NBA, March 2005, Abia
State Law Reform Commission, April 1999-2010, Steering Committee of
the Human Rights Law Society (HURILAWS) – Nigerian Bar Association
National Action Plan for justice sector reform in Nigeria, Abia
State High Court Rules Committee, 2000 – 2002, NBA Special National
Committee on Abuse of Executive, Legislative and Judicial Powers,
1998 to 2010.
As a Member, NBA Committee on the review of the Legal
Practitioners Act & Legal Education Act 2011, Ojukwu produced a
new draft for the Committee and that draft is currently pending
before the National Assembly today. In addition to the Legal
Practitioners Act, Ojukwu also submitted to the Bar draft bills on
Legal Education and Legal Services Commission. These are also
presently before the National Assembly. In 2006, the NBA under
President Olisa Agbakoba SAN requested an amendment in place of a
completely new Act and Ernest Ojukwu submitted a new Legal
Practitioners (Amendment) Bill which was submitted to the National
Assembly. He Proposed the introduction of a Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education for the Bar at the NBA Annual General Meeting
Ilorin 1998. As a Member of NBA NEC, he proposed a resolution dated
3rd November 2003 for NBA NEC to “direct the General
Secretary NBA to publish on or before the 31st day of
December 2003 the list of co-opted members of NEC and Branch
representatives in accordance with section 9(a)(iv) and (v) of the
NBA Constitution.” He also Organised as Chairman NBA Aba Branch,
the 1st Law Reform Workshop in Abia State in 1998.
Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN
The learned professor was the Chairman, NBA Strategic Plan
Working Group 2012, Member, NBA Practicing Fee, Stamp and Seal
Committee, January 2003- 2004, Sole Member, NBA Sub Committee -Y to
Investigate complaints against Legal Practitioners, 1999, Member,
NBA Special Committee (Made up of President Agbakoba SAN,
General-Sec Lawal-Raban, SAN and Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN) on the
Review of Rules of Professional Conduct (2007). Ojukwu produced the
draft Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners which
is in enforce today; Conducted as Director ICLE, many NBA Ethics
Workshops under the MCLE between 2007 and 2010.
He is Pioneer/Project Director NBA Institute of Continuing
Legal Education, 2006-2010 and 2012-2014. He drafted the Nigerian
Bar Association Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules and
Guidelines and set up the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal
education in 2007; Member, Joint Working Committee of the NBA &
Continuing Legal Education Association of Nigeria (CLEAN) on
Continuing legal education for practicing members of the legal
profession, August 1999 to 2000, Body of Senior Advocates of
Nigeria (BOSAN) Continuing Legal Education Committee 2017, Member
Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) Scholarship Committee
2017.
He was the Chairman, NBA Legal Education Committee (2002-2004,
2006-2008), NBA Academic Forum (2006-2010 & 2012-2014),
Alternative Chairman, NBA Summit on the Future of Legal Education
in Nigeria 2006; Secretary, National Committee on the reform of
Legal Education in Nigeria, May 2006 to February 2007; Editor,
Nigerian Law School Student Externship Handbook, 2013, Nigerian Law
School Externship Handbook for Supervisors, 2013; Lead Reformer,
Nigerian Law School curriculum 2007-2013; Member Council of Legal
Education, 1995-2000; Dean, Faculty of Law, Abia State University
1995-2000, and Deputy Director-General & Head of Campus,
Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, 2001-2013.
He is a Pioneer, Clinical Legal Education in Nigeria. Over 12
Law Clinics were established in Nigerian Universities under his
watch. Ernest Ojukwu has helped design clinical legal education
curriculum for law faculties and the Nigerian Law School. He is the
President Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI)
Nigeria. He is a contributor to 2 International books on clinical
legal education, (1) The Global Clinical Movement- Educating
Lawyers for Social Justice (Oxford University Press) edited by
Frank S. Bloch; and (2) Rethinking Legal Education Under the
Civil and Common Law: A Road Map for Constructive Change,
(Routledge) edited by Richard Grimes. He is the author, Legal
Education in Nigeria: A Chronicle of Reforms and Transformation
under Tahir Mamman and Co-Author, Clinical Legal Education:
Curriculum, lessons and Materials, 2013; Handbook on Prison
Pre-trial Detainee Law Clinic, 2012; Manual on Prison Pre-trial
Detainee Law Clinic, Abuja, 2012; Street Law: Child Rights Manual.;
Impact Assessment of Clinical Legal Education in Nigeria; and
Freedom of Information: Handbook for Law Clinics, 2015.
As President NULAI Nigeria, Ernest Ojukwu has led the
organisation and conduct of the university-wide client interviewing
and counselling skills competitions for law students for the past
10 years.
He was Co-Chair & Editor-in-Chief, NBA Editorial Committee
(2002-2004) and Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, NBA Editorial
Committee (2006-2008). During his tenure as editor, 10 volumes of
the Nigerian Bar Journals were published. He was also Editor,
Insight (Journal of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch), 1993
and Editor-in-Chief, Bar Bulletin (Newsletter published by the
Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch), 1998. The learned professor
had been a speaker at various international conferences.
On Academic leadership, the professor has a fine record to his
credit. He commenced academic leadership as a law teacher at 25
years (Abia (formerly Imo) State University. 1995, he was appointed
Dean Faculty of Law (ABSU) at 35 years. He Was Dean from 1995-2000.
In 1998 he was appointed Associate Professor of Law Abia State
University. From 2001-2013 he was Deputy Director-General and Head
Nigerian Law School, Augustine Nnamani Campus Agbani Enugu.
2014-2016, Professor of Law Madonna University; 2015, Adjunct
Professor LLM International Commercial Arbitration Nasarawa State
University; 2015 – 2016, External Examiner Baze University; 2013-
2017, External Examiner Kenyatta University Nairobi Kenya and in
2009 he was a visiting Scholar, Griffith University Law School
Socio-Legal Research Centre Brisbane Australia.
He has Presented over 250 papers at International & Local
conferences/workshops. He has been a keynote speaker at various
occasions. He also has many published articles and books. He has
also won several awards. In 1995 he was awarded for the most
contribution to the development of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba
Branch, by the Nigerian Bar Association Aba branch. In 2000, he was
awarded the Nigerian Bar Association Aba branch merit award for
outstanding contribution to legal education in Nigeria. He was also
awarded in 2002, the merit award by the Nigerian Bar Association
Aba branch “in recognition of years of selfless dedicated and
meritorious service to the bar”.
In 2005 he was awarded the traditional title of GBAONWA-GBAONWA
Agbonelu, by his community Agbonelu Ahaba Imenyi Isuikwuato LGA
Abia State. In 2014 he was awarded the traditional title of UGOMBA
Imenyi Kingdom Isuikwuato LGA Abia State. Same year he was awarded
the Merit Award by the Nigerian Bar Association Eastern Bar
Forum. He was also Awarded the GOLD MERIT Award for
outstanding Contribution to Isuikwuato and humanity by the
Isuikwuato Traditional Rulers Council in 2009, and in 2004
(31ST Dec) he was given the Award of Excellence
and Recognition by Agbonelu Autonomous Community, Ahaba
Imenyi Isuikwuato LGA Abia State. He has also held some
GOVERNMENT-PUBLIC SERVICES (OTHER) APPOINTMENTS: For instance he
was a Member Board of Directors, Enyimba F.C. Ltd, (wholly Abia
State Government owned) March 1992 to August, 1994, Chairman,
Contracts Review Committee (of 1991-1999) Aba South Local
Government, Abia State, July 1999 and Chairman, Administrative
Panel of Inquiry into the problems of the College of Education
(Technical) Arochukwu, November 1999.
Prof. Ernest Ernest Ojukwu SAN also known as ”The
teacher’ was the Secretary of the NBA Aba Branch (1992-1993),
Chairman, NBA Aba Branch (1997-1999); Founder, Pioneer Chairman,
NBA Eastern Bar Forum (2004-2011), Member, Executive Committee NBA
Aba Branch. (1992- 2015) and Member, National Executive Committee
of the NBA. (1992-2014; 2016-present).
He has been into active legal practice over the years. From
1984-1985, he served his NYSC in the Legal Aid Yola. He was
Counsel, Law Firm of GNA Atulomah and Co, Aba from 1985- 1988.
Counsel, Law Firm of GNA Atulomah and Co, Aba. He was partner to
Ekenna Nwajei Nwauche & Ojukwu Aba from 1988- 1992; Partner,
Nwonye and Ojukwu, Aba from 1992-2001 –2014; presently partner,
OJUKWU FAOTU & YUSUF (OFY-Lawyers), Aba, and Abuja and was
appointed in 2014 as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
He was the Alternate Chairman, NBA Conference Planning Committee
2003 and Member, NBA Conference Planning Committee 2002. He
was the Chairman of the NBA Law Reform Committee (2002-2004) which
produced a new Legal Practitioners Act in 2004. He was also the
Chairman, Future State of the Legal Profession Sub-Committee of the
NBA Legal Profession Review and Reform Committee, 2017; Nigerian
Bar Association Committee on the state of the NBA, March 2005, Abia
State Law Reform Commission, April 1999-2010, Steering Committee of
the Human Rights Law Society (HURILAWS) – Nigerian Bar Association
National Action Plan for justice sector reform in Nigeria, Abia
State High Court Rules Committee, 2000 – 2002, NBA Special National
Committee on Abuse of Executive, Legislative and Judicial Powers,
1998 to 2010.
As a Member, NBA Committee on the review of the Legal
Practitioners Act & Legal Education Act 2011, Ojukwu produced a
new draft for the Committee and that draft is currently pending
before the National Assembly today. In addition to the Legal
Practitioners Act, Ojukwu also submitted to the Bar draft bills on
Legal Education and Legal Services Commission. These are also
presently before the National Assembly. In 2006, the NBA under
President Olisa Agbakoba SAN requested an amendment in place of a
completely new Act and Ernest Ojukwu submitted a new Legal
Practitioners (Amendment) Bill which was submitted to the National
Assembly. He Proposed the introduction of a Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education for the Bar at the NBA Annual General Meeting
Ilorin 1998. As a Member of NBA NEC, he proposed a resolution dated
3rd November 2003 for NBA NEC to “direct the General
Secretary NBA to publish on or before the 31st day of
December 2003 the list of co-opted members of NEC and Branch
representatives in accordance with section 9(a)(iv) and (v) of the
NBA Constitution.” He also Organised as Chairman NBA Aba Branch,
the 1st Law Reform Workshop in Abia State in 1998.
Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN
The learned professor was the Chairman, NBA Strategic Plan
Working Group 2012, Member, NBA Practicing Fee, Stamp and Seal
Committee, January 2003- 2004, Sole Member, NBA Sub Committee -Y to
Investigate complaints against Legal Practitioners, 1999, Member,
NBA Special Committee (Made up of President Agbakoba SAN,
General-Sec Lawal-Raban, SAN and Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN) on the
Review of Rules of Professional Conduct (2007). Ojukwu produced the
draft Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners which
is in enforce today; Conducted as Director ICLE, many NBA Ethics
Workshops under the MCLE between 2007 and 2010.
He is Pioneer/Project Director NBA Institute of Continuing
Legal Education, 2006-2010 and 2012-2014. He drafted the Nigerian
Bar Association Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules and
Guidelines and set up the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal
education in 2007; Member, Joint Working Committee of the NBA &
Continuing Legal Education Association of Nigeria (CLEAN) on
Continuing legal education for practicing members of the legal
profession, August 1999 to 2000, Body of Senior Advocates of
Nigeria (BOSAN) Continuing Legal Education Committee 2017, Member
Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) Scholarship Committee
2017.
He was the Chairman, NBA Legal Education Committee (2002-2004,
2006-2008), NBA Academic Forum (2006-2010 & 2012-2014),
Alternative Chairman, NBA Summit on the Future of Legal Education
in Nigeria 2006; Secretary, National Committee on the reform of
Legal Education in Nigeria, May 2006 to February 2007; Editor,
Nigerian Law School Student Externship Handbook, 2013, Nigerian Law
School Externship Handbook for Supervisors, 2013; Lead Reformer,
Nigerian Law School curriculum 2007-2013; Member Council of Legal
Education, 1995-2000; Dean, Faculty of Law, Abia State University
1995-2000, and Deputy Director-General & Head of Campus,
Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, 2001-2013.
He is a Pioneer, Clinical Legal Education in Nigeria. Over 12
Law Clinics were established in Nigerian Universities under his
watch. Ernest Ojukwu has helped design clinical legal education
curriculum for law faculties and the Nigerian Law School. He is the
President Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI)
Nigeria. He is a contributor to 2 International books on clinical
legal education, (1) The Global Clinical Movement- Educating
Lawyers for Social Justice (Oxford University Press) edited by
Frank S. Bloch; and (2) Rethinking Legal Education Under the
Civil and Common Law: A Road Map for Constructive Change,
(Routledge) edited by Richard Grimes. He is the author, Legal
Education in Nigeria: A Chronicle of Reforms and Transformation
under Tahir Mamman and Co-Author, Clinical Legal Education:
Curriculum, lessons and Materials, 2013; Handbook on Prison
Pre-trial Detainee Law Clinic, 2012; Manual on Prison Pre-trial
Detainee Law Clinic, Abuja, 2012; Street Law: Child Rights Manual.;
Impact Assessment of Clinical Legal Education in Nigeria; and
Freedom of Information: Handbook for Law Clinics, 2015.
As President NULAI Nigeria, Ernest Ojukwu has led the
organisation and conduct of the university-wide client interviewing
and counselling skills competitions for law students for the past
10 years.
He was Co-Chair & Editor-in-Chief, NBA Editorial Committee
(2002-2004) and Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, NBA Editorial
Committee (2006-2008). During his tenure as editor, 10 volumes of
the Nigerian Bar Journals were published. He was also Editor,
Insight (Journal of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch), 1993
and Editor-in-Chief, Bar Bulletin (Newsletter published by the
Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch), 1998. The learned professor
had been a speaker at various international conferences.
On Academic leadership, the professor has a fine record to his
credit. He commenced academic leadership as a law teacher at 25
years (Abia (formerly Imo) State University. 1995, he was appointed
Dean Faculty of Law (ABSU) at 35 years. He Was Dean from 1995-2000.
In 1998 he was appointed Associate Professor of Law Abia State
University. From 2001-2013 he was Deputy Director-General and Head
Nigerian Law School, Augustine Nnamani Campus Agbani Enugu.
2014-2016, Professor of Law Madonna University; 2015, Adjunct
Professor LLM International Commercial Arbitration Nasarawa State
University; 2015 – 2016, External Examiner Baze University; 2013-
2017, External Examiner Kenyatta University Nairobi Kenya and in
2009 he was a visiting Scholar, Griffith University Law School
Socio-Legal Research Centre Brisbane Australia.
He has Presented over 250 papers at International & Local
conferences/workshops. He has been a keynote speaker at various
occasions. He also has many published articles and books. He has
also won several awards. In 1995 he was awarded for the most
contribution to the development of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba
Branch, by the Nigerian Bar Association Aba branch. In 2000, he was
awarded the Nigerian Bar Association Aba branch merit award for
outstanding contribution to legal education in Nigeria. He was also
awarded in 2002, the merit award by the Nigerian Bar Association
Aba branch “in recognition of years of selfless dedicated and
meritorious service to the bar”.
In 2005 he was awarded the traditional title of GBAONWA-GBAONWA
Agbonelu, by his community Agbonelu Ahaba Imenyi Isuikwuato LGA
Abia State. In 2014 he was awarded the traditional title of UGOMBA
Imenyi Kingdom Isuikwuato LGA Abia State. Same year he was awarded
the Merit Award by the Nigerian Bar Association Eastern Bar
Forum. He was also Awarded the GOLD MERIT Award for
outstanding Contribution to Isuikwuato and humanity by the
Isuikwuato Traditional Rulers Council in 2009, and in 2004
(31ST Dec) he was given the Award of Excellence
and Recognition by Agbonelu Autonomous Community, Ahaba
Imenyi Isuikwuato LGA Abia State. He has also held some
GOVERNMENT-PUBLIC SERVICES (OTHER) APPOINTMENTS: For instance he
was a Member Board of Directors, Enyimba F.C. Ltd, (wholly Abia
State Government owned) March 1992 to August, 1994, Chairman,
Contracts Review Committee (of 1991-1999) Aba South Local
Government, Abia State, July 1999 and Chairman, Administrative
Panel of Inquiry into the problems of the College of Education
(Technical) Arochukwu, November 1999.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/profile-of-prof-ernest-ojukwu-san/