ADO SPOTLIGHT: THE GREAT ACHIEVER:HON. JUSTICE JAMES OGENYI OGEBE, OFR, CON, JSC (RTD) – ADO, THE FIRST IDOMA JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA

By: P.O. Echo

My Lord is the first of his kind, the best of the best, and the greatest of his kind. He is the one who leaves a trail where there is no path. The purest learned jurist of the highest breed from the Land of the Sage.

Hon. Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, OFR, CON, JSC (Rtd), was born on March 22, 1940, a time when destiny called forth men of great resolve. His journey began in the humble corridors of Igumale and Katsina-Ala, where he undertook his primary education between 1946 and 1955. But the fire of knowledge, once kindled, cannot be doused by mere circumstances. His pursuit of higher learning led him to the hallowed halls of Government College, Keffi, and later, to Ahmadu Bello University, where he carved his path in the study of law.

Like the wise elders would say, ‘an iroko that would stand strong one will know from its passion and root.’ Justice Ogebe with great passion and root ascended the ranks of the legal profession, bearing the banner of justice with unwavering integrity.

He earned his law degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1963 and 1967, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on June 28, 1968. Thus, began the illustrious career of a man whose name would become synonymous with fairness, integrity, wisdom, and service to humanity.

A Towering Pillar in the Legal Corridor

Justice Ogebe’s legal journey commenced as a state counsel in the Ministry of Justice of the defunct Benue-Plateau State in 1968. Like the iroko tree that stands tall amidst the forest, he rose steadily through the ranks—his brilliance and dedication shining like a northern star. By 1971, he was appointed Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. In 1974, he became a Senior Magistrate and Acting Chief Registrar, and by 1975, he was the Chief Registrar. His ascendancy continued, and between 1976 and 1978, he served as an Acting Judge until he was substantively appointed as a Justice of the High Court of Benue State.

Justice Ogebe’s wisdom was sought beyond the bench, as he served as Chairman of several Commissions of Inquiry and the State’s Robbery and Firearms Tribunal.

Also, first in September 1984 and then in January 1987—he was called upon to serve as the Acting Chief Judge of Benue State, a testament to the trust reposed in his sagacity and leadership.

In the words of our forebears, _a man who walks with truth and justice will always have his path illuminated.

True to this saying, My Lord was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1991, where he continued to dispense justice with an impartial hand and an unwavering conscience. His rulings bore the weight of wisdom; his judgments, the fragrance of fairness.

Ascending to the Supreme Court – The Peak of Judicial Eminence

On October 31, 1991, Hon. Justice Ogebe was appointed to the Court of Appeal and was sworn in on December 3, 1991. His tenure at the appellate bench was marked by landmark rulings that shaped the course of Nigerian jurisprudence. A man of profound intellect, he served as Chairman of the 2007 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, a role that further cemented his reputation as a custodian of justice.

Destiny had yet another crown for this noble son of Ado. So, in 2008, his journey reached its zenith when he was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria—the highest seat of legal authority in the land. With this, he became the first Idoma man to ascend to such an esteemed judicial position, a beacon of hope for generations to come.

A Legacy of Integrity, Humility, and Service

Hon. Justice James Ogebe’s rise to greatness, despite hailing from a region once overlooked, speaks to the boundless power of excellence, resilience, and moral fortitude. Like gold refined in the furnace, he emerged as a game-changer in every sense of the word.

What endears My Lord to all is not merely his towering intellect but his unshakable integrity, humility, impartiality, credibility, and accountability. His tenacity, dexterity, and effulgent spirit shine through in his unwavering love for humanity and his tireless commitment to societal growth and development. His monumental achievements have earned him respect and recognition as a trailblazer whose impact will echo through the annals of history.

Author of Wisdom and Experience

Beyond the bench, My Lord has shared his wealth of knowledge through the written word. He is the esteemed author of the famous autobiography titled: Justice Under the Shadow of the Almighty: My Life Sojourn to the Nigerian Supreme Court, a book that chronicles his remarkable journey through the legal corridors of power. For those who seek wisdom from the wellspring of experience, his book is available for purchase on Amazon:

Justice Under the Shadow of the Almighty: My Life Sojourn to the Nigerian Supreme Court:

(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Justice-Under-Shadow-Almighty-Life-Sojourn/dp/B0875RS6NR)

Indeed, as the elders say, a good name is better than riches, for wealth may be lost, but honour endures forever. The name Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe will remain etched in history as a testament to the power of integrity, wisdom, and service to humanity.

Behold our Spotlight, from ADO, the Land of the Sage.