ACCI President, Emeka Obegolu, Inducted as Bencher by Nigeria Body of Benchers

ACCI President, Emeka Obegolu, Inducted as Bencher by Nigeria 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 prestigious induction ceremony, presided over by the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Asiwaju Adegboyega S. Awomolo, SAN, was held at the Benchers Complex in Abuja. A total of 21 new Benchers and eight Life Benchers were inducted during the event.

Among those conferred with the distinguished title of Life Bencher were notable 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.

Their induction brings the total number of Life Benchers in Nigeria to 170.

In his remarks, Chief Awomolo, SAN, emphasized the significance of the occasion, noting that it marked the first formal induction and orientation of Benchers in the history of the Body. He urged the new inductees to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the legal profession.

“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 speeches from esteemed legal luminaries, including former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore (Rtd.), former President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi (Rtd.), and Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo (Rtd.), former Chief Justice of Delta State and Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI). They underscored the importance of mentorship, ethical conduct, and the historical role of the Body of Benchers in regulating legal practice.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi, also addressed the gathering, expressing concerns over the increasing influence of wealth on ethics in the legal profession.

He called on Benchers to promote justice and fairness at all times.

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

Chief Obegolu, SAN, PhD, a distinguished legal practitioner and founding partner of Greenfield Chambers, also serves as the President of ACCI, leading the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in the Federal Capital Territory. Beyond his legal expertise, he is actively involved in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and plays a significant role in the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), a professional body overseeing mediation and conciliation in Nigeria.

The Director General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu C. Jideani, on behalf of the Executive Council and members of ACCI, congratulated Chief Emeka Obegolu on his landmark induction. The Chamber lauded his dedication to legal excellence, business leadership, and alternative dispute resolution, wishing him success in his new role.

Signed
Mr. Agabaidu C. Jideani
Director General, ACCI