Felicitations as Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN adds another year

Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the just concluded annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and onetime First Vice President of the NBA, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN, added another year on Friday, 29 August 2025.

As a young boy, his father, Edward Akaraiwe, gave him marching instructions to read law. When he was 13, in Form 3, his dad gave him a book— The Law of Torts, at the beginning of summer holidays, and commanded him to finish it before school resumed. The senior Akaraiwe had wanted to read law but took a B.A. instead from the University College, London, in 1960.

While his son was already studying law, Edward Akaraiwe, who had a life-long love for law started a correspondence course in law with the University of London but discontinued along the line. He eventually retired as a school principal. Young Ikeazor’s mother, Madam Elizabeth Akaraiwe née Scott-Emuakpor read French – Education for her undergraduate studies and went on to Harvard for her masters in Psychology – Guidance and Counselling. Madam Elizabeth Akaraiwe was also a school principal who, on her return from Harvard, refused to teach at a university. She instead returned to her job as a secondary school principal, where she could impact the lives of children.

Described by many as a man of integrity, Akaraiwe once told Law & Society Magazine an inspiring story.

“Over 20 years ago, I was approached by the litigants on the other side with money to not fight my client’s case to the best of my ability. What audacity!!! And I always asked them— ‘If I took this money from you, would you ever recommend me to anyone looking for a good lawyer?’ I am proud to say that I went on to win those two cases, and with respect to one of the two, they came back to me to brief me for three other matters, including an appeal, with the request to me, always, to ‘fight this case for me the way you fought that one against us.’”

Speaking at his birthday celebration held at his residence, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya described Ikeazor Akaraiwe SAN as a man of profound intellectual rigour.

According to Badejo, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN, represents the finest qualities of a true leader: wisdom that inspires confidence, courage that upholds justice, and compassion that uplifts everyone privileged to cross his path. His life is a testament to the fact that greatness is not measured by titles alone, but by the impact one makes in shaping minds, building institutions, and guiding generations.

She eulogised him not only as a brilliant advocate but also as a long-time friend, colleague and a guiding light whose contributions to the Nigerian legal profession will continue to echo through time.

To her and many others, Ikeazor Akaraiwe SAN is a rare gem, a man whose legacy of service, mentorship, and excellence will forever remain a source of inspiration to colleagues, young lawyers, and society at large.

Akaraiwe, SAN, Principal Counsel at Akaraiwe Associates (Lex Rehoboth Partners), established in 1994, has been in legal practice for nearly four decades.

Called to the Bar on December 7, 1985, he is a Chartered Arbitrator, Notary Public, a former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Member, Governing Council, NBA Human Rights Institute​​ , as well as Member, Steering Committee, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL). The Senior Advocate has held several other positions in the NBA including— Alternate Chair, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) ​​​​​​​​​(2010-2012), Chair, NBA Human Rights Institute (HRI) — 2008 to 2010. As Chair, NBA HRI, he became Chair, Civil Societies Action Group on the Jos Crisis, a position he held from 2009 to 2010. While serving as Chair, NBA HRI, he convened the 1st NBA Conference on Human Rights​(2009) and in the following year​​​​​​​​​ (2010), introduced the Gani Fawehinmi Award for Human Rights and Social Justice.