Many do not know that Joseph Otteh and Access To Justice (A2J ) were the first winners of the Gani Fawehinmi Award for Social Justice and Human Rights, 2010, which was instituted by the Nigerian Bar Association (NB) through its Human Rights Institute. The award was N1million and a plaque.
The initiative for the award came from the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI).
Joseph Otteh, the Convener of Access (A2J) to Justice, reportedly became ill on the night of March 27, 2025, and passed away the next day in a Lagos hospital.
Not a few have hailed the life of this activist who spent most of his life striving for a more transparent, independent, and accountable judiciary.
Otteh’s work through A2J which he founded focused on strengthening the legal system and ensuring justice for all.
With decades of experience fighting for judicial reforms, the rule of law, and human rights protections, Otteh was a well-known voice in legal advocacy.
He was a Global Public Service Scholar at NYU and received a Master’s degree in law from both the University of Lagos and New York University.
He also served as a Visiting Researcher at the Danish Centre for Human Rights.
Otteh authored Fading Lights of Justice and Litigating in the Public Interest.
He contributed extensively to legal scholarship, consulting for institutions such as the British Government’s J4A Programme, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the Nigerian Bar Association, the European Union’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
As a key figure in legal reforms, Otteh served on committees that shaped Nigeria’s legal framework, including the Lagos State Committee on the Review of Criminal Procedure Laws and the Committee on the Review of the Coroner Law.
Joseph Otteh contributed significantly to strengthening human rights safeguards and improving justice administration in Nigeria and through A2J he helped drive advocacy for judicial independence and accountability.
He earned accolades such as the MacArthur Foundation’s Award for Effective and Creative Institutions and more.
Okechukwu Nwanguma of RULAAC had a lot to say:
“I met Joseph Otteh at the civil liberties organization (CLO), where he was head of the legal project.
“Among his outstanding intellectual works was the publication entitled ‘Justice Denied’.
“His contributions to judicial Independence were immeasurable.
“Joseph Otteh, through his leadership at Access to Justice (AJ), significantly advanced judicial independence, integrity, and effectiveness in Nigeria. His pivotal role in reforming the Lagos State coroner’s law is particularly notable, marking a major step toward accountability regarding extrajudicial killings.
“He received an award recognition for his immense contributions.
“Otteh’s impact earned AJ the prestigious $650,000 MacArthur Foundation award in 2009, highlighting their efforts against human rights abuses. He attributed this achievement to the successful advocacy for coroner law reform, aiming to reduce extrajudicial executions by ensuring that deaths are properly investigated.
“He contributed to the efforts to address Police Brutality.
“In an interview, Otteh emphasized that police brutality is an acute issue in Nigeria, despite the country’s democratic status. He remarked on the shocking prevalence of police violence, torture, and extrajudicial killings, noting that such problems are not unique to Nigeria but are prevalent across multiple regions, particularly in countries with stable governance.
“He spoke on human rights under democracy in Nigeria.
“Otteh assessed human rights conditions post-military rule, suggesting that while some individual rights have gained better protection in Nigeria’s democracy, there remained systemic issues, particularly related to police violence and extrajudicial killings. He acknowledged the courts’ ability to provide remedies but reiterated the need for continued advocacy to ensure all rights are upheld.
“He understood the challenges and projected to the future.
“He expressed concern over the potential for political instability and military interference in governance. Despite the progress made, Otteh highlighted ongoing challenges, including the inadequacy of responses to police brutality and the increasing rate of extrajudicial killings, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to address these critical issues.
“In short, Joseph Otteh’s commitment to enhancing access to justice and safeguarding human rights remains a vital part of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle for a just society. His legacy serves as a reminder of the continuous need for advocacy and reform in the face of systemic abuses.”
Olumide Ayeni (SAN) wrote: “The profundity of the Access to Justice Programme assisted us in reforms of the administration of justice sector in Ogun State in my time as Attorney-General.”
A lawyer, Kingsley Ejiofor, wrote: “Nigeria has lost a great man! He stood for what was right and just.
“I called him Prophet Jeremiah following his Vanguard article of 20 February 2025 on the state of the Judiciary, amongst other issues he highlighted. He simply laughed it off and sent an emoji to me.
‘‘May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”Bob Arnot wrote: “Joseph worked with us on DFID and EU-funded programmes.
“He was a modest man and an excellent colleague. Condolences to his family and friends from the Arnot family.”
Senior Programme Manager, Africa, at National Endowment for Democracy, Christopher O’Connor, wrote: “Joseph will be missed. He was a tremendous advocate for judicial reform.
“I am certain his legacy of compassion and vision for a better tomorrow will continue to inspire others.”
Prof Chidi Odinkalu wrote: “Raised in Agbor, Delta State, in the Niger Delta by a father who was a high school teacher from Imo State, Joe was one of the first two colleagues whom I engaged in the legal directorate of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Lagos in 1991.
“He brought tremendous integrity, intellect, and industry to the role, and had remarkable reserves of both clarity and empathy.
“Joe received his legal education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, in Ile-Ife.
“In 1999, Joe founded the group Access to Justice ‘to work towards rebuilding the institutional credibility of the Nigerian legal and justice system, restoring public faith in its institutions’.
“He approached that task with both courage and single-mindedness, doing a lot of good along the way.
“Joe epitomised the lawyer as a gentleman and professional of civic virtue.
“Unknown to most, Joe was the force & craftsman behind the current revision of Nigeria’s Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.
“It reflects very much not merely his ability to identify problems but also his commitment to forging the relationships required to address them.
“On 28 March, Joe succumbed reportedly to complications from diabetes, leaving behind an aged mother, wife and three children.
“Thirty years ago, in 1995, Joe authored a defining study of the customary court system in the 17 states of southern Nigeria under the title: The Fading Lights of Justice.
“As an advocate, Joe did his utmost to ensure that those lights were kept aflame; to postpone the date when the future he divined would come to pass.
“That title could only have come from a man who was well ahead of his time and had the acuity to see the future.
“The heavens will be enriched by the acquisition of this incredible angel.”
