Meet Justice Olayinka Afolabi, Osun’s New Chief Judge

By Eric Elezuo

During the week, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, took a bold step to boost the proficiency of the state’s legal system with the appointment of Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of the state with immediate effect. This was following the approval of the resolution of the House of Assembly, and suspension of erstwhile Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo.

The governor’s decision was contained in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and made available to The Boss.

The statement reads in part:

“Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the Governor, the Deputy-Governor has been directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow (Friday) at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo.”

Below is a detailed profile of the new Chief Judge as obtained from the Osun State Judicial website.

THE MAN OLAYINKA DAVID AFOLABI 

Hon. Justice Olayinka David Afolabi obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Hons degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1990. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island Lagos between 1990/1991, passed his qualifying examinations and was thereafter called to Bar in December 1991.

He was one of the pioneer Corps members that served in the Ministry of Justice (Asaba) of the newly created Delta State. Upon completion of the Youth Service in 1992, His Lordship returned to the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University for his postgraduate studies in Law (LL.M), which program was only completed in 1994 due to June 12 political crisis of 1993.

Hon. Justice Olayinka David AFOLABI, was in active legal practice before his elevation to the High Court Bench. He worked with the law firm of Yomi Afolabi-Oloja, of Sabo, Yaba Lagos state. The law firm was mostly involved in litigation covering land, chieftaincy as well as commercial disputes being legal retainers to several companies.

While undergoing his postgraduate studies, he also practised with the law firm of P.A Ogunleye & Co., in Ile-Ife where he was further exposed to intricacies of land litigation.

He set up his own Law firm Yinka Afolabi & Associates, a firm of lawyers that engaged in corporate, criminal and civil litigation in 1996.

While in legal practice, Hon. Justice Olayinka David AFOLABI, was an active Bar man. He was the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Ile-Ife Branch, at the same time, a member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA from October 2003 until 19th May 2005 when he was sworn in as a Judge of Osun State High Court.

Since his elevation to the Bench his Lordship has served in different judicial divisions of the Court at different times including: Ilesa, Ikire and Osogbo Judicial Divisions. His Lordship currently presided in High Court No. 2 Osogbo Judicial Division.

Also, his Lordship has served in different capacities both at the State and National Levels. He was the Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in the year 2007; member, Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Jos, Plateau state in the year 2011; member, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Nassarawa State between November 2011/February 2012; member, Anambra State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Awka in the year 2012.

Hon. Justice Olayinka David AFOLABI served as one-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the creation of Ijesa South Traditional Council, Osun State in 2009.

His Lordship has attended several conferences, training and seminars locally and internationally including: Mediation training for Nigerian Judges at Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, USA between 29th November 2012 to 12th December 2012; Training in Leadership and Professional Ethics and Training in International Arbitration at the same Kennesaw State University Atlanta Georgia USA between 5th to 10th August 2013 and 12th August to 14th August 2013 respectively and in 2020, Training organised by the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators in Dubai, UAE and became a full-fledged member of the Institute.

Since his elevation to the High Court Bench on 19th May 2005, his Lordship has attended the biennial All Nigerian Judges Conference till date.

His Lordship is a Christian and a member of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria. He has served in various capacities in his Diocese, Diocese of Ife before becoming the Chancellor of the Diocese since year 2016.

His Lordship is happily married and blessed with children.