..…As 17 New Life Benchers Added to the Prestigious Body.
It was a moment of excitement and celebration in the dynasty of Alayede of Ayede-Ogbese when the renowned Queen, HRH Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede was recently inducted among distinguished legal professionals as Life Benchers by the Body of Benchers.
The body is the highest regulatory organ of the legal profession in Nigeria.
The Body of Benchers, at a memorable and august occasion held in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital on February 27th, 2025, inducted Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede alongside 17 other legal icons.
The event which attracted the most illustrious members of the Bench and Bar, was attended by several legal luminaries, including Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who delivered a keynote address; Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, former President of the Court of Appeal; Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo, former Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and Ex-Chief Judge of Delta State, Kanu Agabi, SAN, among others.
Describing the occasion as a historic milestone, the current Chairman of the Body, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, noted that the occasion was the first formal induction and orientation of Benchers in the history of the Body, emphasizing its role in upholding the highest ethical and professional standards in Nigeria’s legal profession.
In all, 17 prominent individuals had hitherto been confirmed as Life Benchers, (bringing the total number of Life Benchers in Nigeria to just 170) whilst 21 new members were admitted into the prestigious Body.
As officially enlisted, the newly-appointed Life Benchers are:
Hon. Justice Adarna Iyayi-Lamikanra
Hon. Justice Ngozi P. Emehelu
Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu
Chief Offiong E.B. Offiong, SAN
**HRH Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede
Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN
Razak Osayande Isenalumhe, Esq
Lady Gloria Umoren mni
Prof. Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN
Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN
Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR
Mr. Solomon Umoh, SAN
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON
A. K. Jingi, Esq
Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR
Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko
(HRH) Hon. Justice Sidi Bage, CFR.
Notably, HRH Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede (nee Nejo) is the very first and currently, the only Life Bencher of Ilaje descent.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, Olori Oluyede (whose formative years and early education took place in London, UK) is a transnational commercial attorney of high repute and co-founding partner, TRLPLAW Solicitors & Advocates, where she provides over 39 years legal insight and expertise across a range of industries, to the firm’s most prominent clientele globally.
A passionate women/human rights advocate and prolific, erudite speaker, Olori Oluyede speaks regularly at global conferences -seasonally organizing widely acclaimed international conferences at the United Nations and internationally, in collaboration with her universal network of humanitarian organizations, which includes the International Bar Association, American Bar Association Int’l Law Section, International Federation of Women Layers (FIDA) USA; African Women Lawyers Association INT’L, the Geneva-based International Alliance of Women et al.
A blue-blooded princess of the Akenneyin Royal Dynasty of Mahin in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State. HRH Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede happily married for 43 years (with children and grandchildren) to HRM late Alaiyeluwa Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede, legal luminary, entrepreneur and widely-Respected monarch of the Ayede-Ogbese kingdom in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Expressing her foremost, utmost gratitude to GOD almighty for this exceptional, exemplary accomplishment, Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede also ascribed this achievement to the unwavering support of her late husband, HRM Ọba Ajibola Oluyede, who lovingly prodded her along and was, at all times, her ultimate mentor and greatest cheerleader at every stage.
Encomiums in celebration and avid commendation of this rare feat have since begun to pour in in torrents from friends, family members, professional colleagues and organizations in various parts of the globe.
In her response, the amiable, globally-renowned Queen humbly and thankfully reiterated her commitment under GOD, to justice, equity and dignity for all, while pledging to continue to uphold the integrity of the legal profession globally, in all her endeavors in every sphere, as she has done glowingly, in the past four decades.
