The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended an Appeal Court Judge, Joseph Oyewole to the Supreme Court
Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA (born 13/05/1965) is a native of Ila-Orangun Local Government Area of Osun State.
Justice Oyewole started his educational career at AUD Nursery & Primary School, Ijebu-Ode (1971-1972) and later St Richard’s Primary School Eleyele, Ibadan (1973-1976).
He was at the St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1976 to 1981.
His Lordship studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of Law degree in 1985.
Oyewole JCA attended Law School at the Victoria Island in Lagos, and was subsequently called to the Nigeria bar in 1986.
His Lordship was a Legal Officer on National Youth Service (NYSC) duties at the Public Complaints Commission, Makurdi, Benue State (1986-1987).
His Lordship worked as Counsel in-Chambers of Afolabi Adeniran & Co, between 1987-1988 before he established and was Principal Counsel, Olubunmi Oyewole & Co from 1988-2001.
He was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Lagos State on 22nd of May 2001, same day as another currently serving Justice of the Supreme Court, Hakeem Olumuyiwa Abiru JSC.
He was in-charge of the Criminal Division at Ikeja until his elevation to the Court of Appeal on March 24, 2014.
On this appointment if it scales through, Justice Oyewole completes the full Bench of the Supreme Court (21) and takes the replacement of the now-retired ex-CJN, Kayode Ariwoola from Oyo State.
Oyewole is happily married with children, one of whom was elevated to the SAN rank in October 2025.
CASES HANDLED BY JUSTICE OYEWOLE
At the High Court of Lagos State, Justice Oyewole handled some high profile cases:
-In 2005, he convicted and sentenced Emmanuel Odinigwe Nwude, Nzeribe Edeh Okoli (original perpetrator) and Mrs. Amaka Martina Anajemba, who were involved in defrauding a Brazilian bank of $242m to build a fictitious airport, one of the biggest scams ever in the world, causing the collapse of the Banco Noroeste in 2001.
– In 2007, he convicted and sentenced Pastor Emeka Ezeugo (aka Rev. King) to death by hanging, for the alleged murder of a church member, Ann Uzoh. This judgement was affirmed by the Appeal Court and Supreme Court.
– In 2009, he convicted and sentenced ex-PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George to a 30-month prison sentence on charges bordering on fraudulent contract splitting and disobedience to lawful order. This decision was upheld by the Appeal Court in 2011 but overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013.
At the Appeal Court, he authored and read the unanimous judgement affirming the decision of Justice Omotosho recognising Martin Amaewhule as the Rivers Assembly Speaker as well as voiding the ₦800bn 2024 Rivers budget passed by a faction of the RSHA during the feud between Gov. Fubara and his benefactor, Wike.
Controversy
Following the retirement of George Olaniyi Ojo as Osun CJ on 8/11/12, Governor Rauf Aregbesola nominated a then mid-level Judge of the Lagos High Court, Justice Oyewole as the Osun CJ, a decision that met serious opposition in the Osun Judiciary.
It created a stand-off between the State Government together with the State House of Assembly on one hand and the Osun Judiciary and the NJC on the other.
The NJC insisted that one of the most senior Judges, Oyebola Adepele-Ojo or Gloria Oladoke (both of them appointed Judges of the High Court of Osun State same day on 21/12/2000), be sworn-in.
The Osun Judiciary had no Chief Judge in acting or substantive capacity for 10 days before the Rauf-led Government bowed to NJC pressure,. Justice Oyewole later transferred his service from Lagos to Osun.
