Chief Emeka Obegolu Inducted As A Bencher By Nigeria’s Body Of Benchers

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, has been inducted as a Bencher by the Nigeria Body of Benchers, the highest regulatory body for the legal profession in the country.

The induction ceremony, presided over by Asiwaju Adegboyega S. Awomolo, SAN, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, was held at the Benchers Complex, Abuja, where a total of 21 new Benchers and eight Life Benchers were inducted.

Among those conferred with the prestigious title of Life Bencher were prominent legal figures, including Hon. Justice Sidi Bage, JSC (Rtd.), Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko, JSC (Rtd.), Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. With this new addition, the total number of Life Benchers in Nigeria now stands at 170.

In his address, Chief Awomolo, SAN, emphasized the significance of the occasion, noting that it was the first formal induction and orientation of Benchers in the history of the Body. He urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the legal profession, reminding them that their elevation comes with great responsibility.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. You must set the right values for young lawyers in and out of court,” he stated.

The ceremony also featured addresses from notable legal luminaries, including:

Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore (Rtd.), former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who highlighted the need for Benchers to serve as role models for younger lawyers.

Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi (Rtd.), former President of the Court of Appeal, who provided a historical overview of the Body of Benchers and its regulatory role.

Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo (Rtd.), former Chief Justice of Delta State and Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), who emphasized the importance of instilling ethical values in law students from an early stage.

Kanu Agabi, SAN, who lamented the growing influence of wealth over ethics in the legal profession and urged Benchers to promote justice and fairness.

During the event, certificates were presented to the new inductees by Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore and Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

Chief Obegolu, SAN, PhD, is a distinguished legal practitioner and the founding partner of Greenfield Chambers. He also serves as the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), leading the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in the FCT.

Beyond his contributions to legal practice and business, Chief Obegolu is actively involved in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He is a prominent figure in the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), a professional body responsible for regulating mediation and conciliation in Nigeria. The ICMC has over 8,000 professional mediators and conciliators across various disciplines, including law, finance, security, governance, and traditional leadership.

The Director General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), on behalf of the Executive Council and members of ACCI, congratulates Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD on his landmark induction as a Bencher. The Chamber commended his dedication to the legal profession and wished him success in his new role, recognizing his ongoing contributions to legal excellence, business leadership, and alternative dispute resolution in Nigeria.