In a congratulatory message, Gen Paul Boro (rtd), described Chief Mike Ozekhome an indispensable authority in constitutional interpretations. “It is therefore, not a surprise that three major honours and recognitions are being added to his cap at the same time.

In the anal of Nigeria’s legal history, men have emerged to champion a cause. Dr Mike Ozekhome, CON, has stood out in not only legal profession but the struggle for the restoration of human dignity.

In a congratulatory message, Gen Paul Boro (rtd), described Chief Mike Ozekhome an indispensable authority in constitutional interpretations. “It is therefore, not a surprise that three major honours and recognitions is been added to his cap at the same time.

As he clocks 65, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR ,Ph.D, LL.D, an accomplished Senior Advocate of Nigeria and of the Masses, leading Constitutional Lawyer, human rights Activist, pan-Nigerian pro-democracy campaigner and humanist, is been conferred with the National honour of COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER ( CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), Voice of the People (VOP), Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students (SANS), Notary Public of Nigeria, Patriot, Pan-Nigerian, Pan-Africanist, Author, Motivational Speaker, social critic, Public Affairs Analyst, pro-masses Advocate and Knight of the Order of St. Mulumba (KSM), LL.D (HC), and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)

As a student and lover of law, philosophy, logic, sociology, classics, literature, history, international affairs, and the scriptures, Ozekhome has a way with words. He possesses profound oratorical skills which enable him strike the right chord, when he speaks, while painting mentally-recorded pictures with words.

The legal icon hails from Iviukwe town, near Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. His late parents, Chief Abu Ozekhome and Chief (Madam) Alimoh Abu Ozekhome, though of humble backgrounds, without material wealth, were lovers of education, respected Chiefs and Community leaders, who inspired the young Mike and nurtured him with the best virtues and traditions of nobility and character that humanity can bestow – honesty, humility, fear of God, hardwork, selflessness, service to humanity, courage and daring bravado.

This pro-masses prodigy attended St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Iviukwe, and St. Peter’s College, Agenebode, both in which he made the best graduating results. Baptist Academy, Lagos, in 1975 and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), (Ile-Ife), wherefrom he graduated in 1980, after losing one academic year to enable him change from his English language original course of study to law, his passion.

His university internship was always with fiery peoples lawyer, late Kanmi Isola-Osobu, while his NYSC was with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Yola, and later, Lagos, wherefrom he was seconded to the then National Provident Fund, Lagos.

By 1982, Dr Mike Ozekhome was back to Ife to pursue his Masters degree programme in Law. He also lectured simultaneously, and thereafter, at the same Law Faculty. Many of his students are today Judges, Justices of appellate courts, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, top entrepreneurs, Diplomats, Captains of Industry, top military brass and Professors. He later joined the ever busy and pro-masses chambers of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, where he worked, first, as a junior counsel, later as a senior counsel; and finally rose to the highest position of Deputy Head of Chambers by 1985.

Ozekhome has handled many epochal cases that have helped to define and shape the legal regime and nigerian legal jurisprudence, thus helping enthrone a favourable climate for the sustenance of human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

In 1986, he founded the law firm of Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, with thriving offices in Lagos, Abuja, Benin City and his home town, Agenebode. His law firms handle many cases probono.

In 2005, he was a federal government delegate to the National Political Reform Conference, (NPRC), representing Civil Societies. In 2009, he was a federal government delegate to the Vision 2020 Conference, to help chart a course for making Nigeria one of the twenty leading economies in the World by the year 2020. earlier in 2001, he had chaired the federal government panel that recalled many lecturers and students who had been politically victimized during successive military dictatorships.

In 2014, he was a federal government delegate to the National Conference, wherein he was nicknamed the “Cicero of the Conference”, by the Conference leadership, for his sterling performance and contributions