Our Judges
Hon. Justice Femi-Segun was born on 17th February, 1961 to late Chief David Adeyemi Coker (Ogboye of Ilaro) and late Deaconess Mrs. Lucian Adetoro Coker (Nee Ibikunle). She attended Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan between 1972 and 1976 where she obtained her Secondary School Certificate. She then proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School for her A/Levels.
His Lordship bagged her Law degree from the prestigious University of Ife, Ile-Ife in 1987, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. Her legal career started at the Federal Ministry of Justice where she served as a Senior State Counsel, Department of Public Prosecution between 1989 and 1995. She also was an Assistant Legal Adviser on secondment to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
His Lordship joined the Lagos State Judiciary in 1996 as Magistrate Grade I and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Magistrate 1. Until her appointment, Hon. Justice Femi-Segun was the Deputy Chief Registrar (Admin) Lagos Judicial Division, High Court of Lagos State.
His Lordship is a devout Christian and an ordained Deaconess of House on the Rock Church, Lekki. She was married to Late Olufemi Enitan Segun, a former diplomat and polyglot. They were blessed with a daughter. Hon. Justice Femi-Segun was appointed into the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal on 8th January, 2020
Hon. Justice A. O. Araba was born on 5th November, 1968 at Ibadan, Oyo State. His primary school education commenced at Army Children School, Dodan Barracks, Lagos; after which he proceeded to Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode for his Secondary Education. He later attended Federal School of Arts and Science, Victoria Island, Lagos for his Higher School Certificate and thereafter gained admission into the former Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye to study Law. After his LL.B, he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December, 1993. His Lordship observed his mandatory National Youth Service in Lagos at the Law Firm of Oditah, Adebiyi & Co., Lagos Island where he worked for three years before moving on to the Law Firm of Ajuji, Waziri & Co., also on Lagos Island.
Hon. Justice Araba was appointed a Magistrate Grade 1 in the Ogun State Judiciary in June 1999. He rose through the ranks and was appointed Deputy Chief Registrar 1 in 2015, a position he held until January 2020, when he was sworn in as a Judge of the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal on 8th January, 2020. He is a devout Christian, married and blessed with lovely children.
Hon. Justice Philip Oluwasina Akinsinde was born on the 8th of June, 1962 to Late Pa Reuben Aremu Akinside and Madam Olufolake Akinside of Akinside Town, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. His Lordship attended Baptist Primary School, Idikan, Ibadan between 1969 and 1974. He had his secondary education at the Baptist Boys High School, Saje, Abeokuta between 1974 and 1978.
After working briefly at the Nigerian Cocoa Board, Cocoa House, Ibadan as a clerical officer , he proceeded to Ogun State Polytechnic Moshood Abiola Polytechnic} and obtained a Diploma in Architecture in 1983; His Lordship thereafter obtained a Degree in Law with honors, from the University Ife in 1989. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 12th of December 1990. His Lordship observed the Mandatory NYSC scheme at Ilorin in the chambers of R. A. Ogunwole& co in 1991. Thereafter he started a career as a State Counsel in the employment of the Ogun State Civil Service under the Ministry of Justice.
He rose through the ranks to become the Director of Civil Litigations and Advisory Services until his elevation to the Bench as Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State on the 21st of December 2021.
Hon. Justice Olukemi Folasade Osisanya was born on the 22nd of December 1962 to Late Chief Edward Vincent Oladipo Koleoso and Mrs Ibironke Koleoso in Ibadan. She hails from Orile – Imo, in Obafemi Owode Local Government of Ogun State. She had her primary education at Sacred Heart Primary School, Inalende, Ibadan between 1967 and 1973 and her secondary education at St Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan between 1973 and 1978. She obtained a higher Certificate from Federal Government Girls College, Ilaro now Sagamu. His Lordship obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1984.
She obtained a degree in Law in 1989 from Ogun State University now Olabisi Onabanjo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990. She is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and also an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators. As a corps Member, His Lordship Served at Emmanuel College Secondary School, Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State between 1984 and 1985. She worked as Company/ Legal Secretary at Vanguard Security company between 1991 and 1993 and also Lawnson Thomas and Colleagues between 1993 and 1995.
She joined the Chambers of OloruntobaMamora& Co, Ijebu Ode in 1996 and served as Counsel till 1999. His Lordship set up her practice and was the Principal Partner of Kemi Osisanya & Co, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State until her elevation as Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State on the 21st of December 2021. Her scope of practice included but is not limited to Civil Litigations, Criminal Litigations, Matrimonial Causes, Corporate Law, Arbitration and Mediation.
Hon. Justice Idowu Adebiyi Odugbesan was born on the 5th of August 1965 to the family of Mr. Adewunmi and Mrs. Bernice Odugbesan. He started his educational career at Sagun United Primary School, Oru Ijebu in 1971 and proceeded to Obanta Comprehensive High School, Awa Ijebu for his secondary education. He obtained his ‘A’ Levels at Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo, Ondo State. He proceeded to University of Lagos where he bagged his Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1990 and was called to the Bar in 1991. He observed the Mandatory Service Year as counsel in the chambers of G.O.H. Ariaga & Co, Omoku, Rivers State between 1991 and 1992.
Afterwards, His Lordship joined the law firm of Adebisi Dawodu & Co, Ijebui Ode in 1992 from whence he established Adebiyi Odugbesan& Co, Ijebu Ode where he worked as the Principal Partner until his Elevation to the Bench of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State. He had served at the Nigerian Bar Association, Ijebu Ode branch, in various capacities, as General Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman. His Lordship is a devout Christian and Member of the choir in his church. He was the Osi Balogun Ijo of St Lukes Anglican Church, Ijebu Ode until his elevation to the Bench as Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State on the 21st of December 2021. His Lordship is happily married to Susan Taiwo Odugbesan and they are blessed with beautiful children.
Hon. Justice Oriyomi Abiodun Sofowora was born on December 12, 1965, into the Lawal-Afariogun family of Ofin, Sagamu, Ogun State. She began her education at Wesley School, Oko II, Sagamu, and later attended Federal Government Girls’ College, Bakori, and Federal Government College, Malali, Kaduna in Kaduna State for her secondary education.
She earned her LL.B (Hons) from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago-Iwoye in 1988 and her BL from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1989. She later obtained an LLM from the University of Lagos.
Hon Justice Sofowora began her legal career at Cheakely Chambers, Ijora, Lagos, after completing her National Youth Service at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she lectured and practiced law at the law firm of Femi Olufokunbi& Co; Kongo, Zaria. She served as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc , Iganmu and Eko Corp Plc Ikeja, Lagos state.
To sharpen her legal expertise, His lordship joined the law firm of Okunuga and Okunuga& Co at Oregun, Lagos state.
In 2005, she was appointed as Senior Magistrate Grade 1 in the Ogun State Judiciary, serving in various magisterial districts and presiding over the Revenue and Mobile Courts.
His Lordship served as chairman to the panel of inquiry of Ake Customary Court Judges in 2016 and was a member of the National Health Research Ethics Committee( NHERC) Nigeria of the Olabisi
Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (00UTH).
Her career in the judiciary progressed with roles including Acting Deputy Chief Registrar (Admin.), Coordinating Director of the Ogun Multi-Door Courthouse (OMDC), and Acting Chief Registrar of the Ogun State High Court. In 2022, she became the Chief Registrar of the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal before her appointment as a Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in 2023.
She is currently a member of the Long Service Award and Law Reform Committees of the Customary Court of Appeal.
Justice Sofowora is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and a member of several professional bodies, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA), Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). She has held various leadership roles, such as Chairman of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, vice Chairman and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria ( ICSAN). His lordship is a motivational speaker and contributor to several legal workshops and conferences.
Her hobbies include traveling, cooking and meeting people. Being Passionate about youth development, His lordship serves as a Pastor at the Victorious Youth Assembly, Chapel of Victory, Sagamu. She is married to Mr. Adewunmi Sofowora and are blessed with children and grandchildren.
Hon. Justice Bolanle Adenike Awoyomi, was born on the 17th day of July, 1966 to Late Otunba Olatunji Sotunde of Ikenne Remo and Late Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Sotunde (nee Fasanya) from Sagamu in Ogun State.
Her educational journey commenced at Mount Carmel Nursery School in Ebute Metta, LagosState, from 1969 to 1971. She continued her primary education at Our Lady of Apostles (Private)Primary School, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos State, from 1971 to 1976; earning her First School Leaving Certificate.
His Lordship furthered her studies at New Era Girls Secondary School in Surulere, Lagos State in 1976 and continued her academic pursuit at Girls’ Secondary Grammar School (now Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary Grammar School) in Bariga, Lagos State, from 1977 to 1981. She then attended Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic School of Basic Studies) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, obtaining an Advanced Level Certificate from 1981 to 1983. Subsequently, she earned her Bachelor of Law (LL. B) degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, in 1986.
His Lordship continued her legal education at the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos State, becoming a Barrister-at-Law (BL) in October 1987. Following this, she observed her mandatory National Youth Service and obtained a Certificate of National Service in 1988.His Lordship then pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, completing her studies in 1989.
In her professional career, she started as a Junior Counsel at Oye Esan & Co., Legal Practitioners in Ibadan, Oyo State, from 1987 to 1988. She later became an Associate at Adenugba Adesina & Co., Legal Practitioners from 1989 to 1996, handling a wide range of legal matters. From 1996 to 2005, she served as a Senior Associate and Head of Litigation at Olatunji Sotunde& Co., Legal Practitioners. During this period, she was involved in various legal areas, including civil and criminal litigation, corporate and commercial law practice, real estate matters, and banking and finance matters.
His Lordship was the Managing Partner and Head of Chambers at Sotunde, Awoyomi & Co., Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public since 2005. In this role, she supervised and monitored all chamber activities and case management, handling a diverse range of legal matters, including land and chieftaincy matters, banking matters, contract and commercial transactions, probate law, matrimonial causes, and other civil matters.
His Lordship was an active member of the Nigeria Bar Association and the African Women Lawyers’ Association (Nigeria Chapter). His lordship was also a Legal Adviser to Magnet Microfinance Bank, Infotech General Business Limited and Lynx Security and Safety Services at various points in time. In addition to her legal pursuits, His Lordship acquired a certification in mediation, obtained an Executive Diploma in International Law and Diplomacy, and completed proficiency forensic certificate courses and she is a certified document analyst expert.
His Lordship was elevated to the bench as a Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State on the 23rd of January, 2024.His lordship is a member of the Ogun State Customary Courts Law Review Committee. His Lordship is a dedicated child of God and is happily married to her husband Dr. Bolanle Awoyomi and they are blessed with lovely children.
Hon. Justice Adeniyi Olusanya Lawal was born on the 8th of July, 1966 at Ibadan, Oyo State, to Mrs Sabannah Oluyinka Lawal (Nee Olukoya) and Mr. Abibu Ishola Adeleke Lawal all of blessed memory both parents are indigenous of Ijebu – Igbo, in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State.
Hon. Justice Adeniyi Lawal started his educational carear at Islamic Mission School Bode, Ibadan in 1971 and later completed his primary school education At Saint Mathews Schools II Amutebu, Ojowo, Ijebu – Igbo, in the year 1977. He later secured admission to Muslim High School, Ago – Iwoye, but later transferred his academic pursuit to Molusi College Ijebu- Igbo in 1979 where he later completed his secondary school education in 1982.
Hon. Justice Adeniyi Lawal, later worked with Apex Insulation Nig. Ltd, Oregun Road, Lagos and precious Pearl Nig. Ltd. Ikeja, Lagos as store keeperwhile he was equally undergoing evening classes at Baptist Academy Lagos for his advance level G.C.
Later in the year 1988/1989, Hon Justice Adeniyi Lawal secured admission to the University of Ibadan to study history and archeology, but his love for law which he regarded as his altimate chance made him to transfer his studies when he was in 300 level at the University of Ibadan to Obafemi Awolowo University to study law.
He later graduated at Obafemi Awolowo University in the year 1996 with second class lower division but his set was not mobilised for Nigerian Law School Abuja until 1998, where he later bagged his BL Degree and was called to Bar on 28th of September 1999. And later got his L.L.M from the same Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in 2012.
Hon Justice Adeniyi Olusanya Lawal later had his pupillage at Muyiwa Ogunseye& C.O, Salvation Army Road, Ibadan and Akin Ige & C. O. College Cresent Ibadan from 1999 to 2024 and later at A. O. Oduwole &Co in 2009 with his law office at No 3, Library Road, OkeSopin, Ijebu – Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Arear, Ogun state, where he has been until his elevation on the 6th of Dececember 2023 to the Bench of Customary Court of Appeal of Ogun State.
As a Bar man, he has held various positions at Nigerian Bar Association NBA Ijebu Ode Branch, and cap it up with the chairmanship of the NBA Ijebu Ode Branch from 2016 to 2018.
Hon Justice Adeniyi Olusanya Lawal is married to Deaconess Abiola Olufunmike Lawal, a business woman in the year 2001 and the union is blessed with four children, three boys and a girl and they are all doing well in their various school.
Hon Justice Adeniyi Olusanya Lawal has a devoted Christian and assistant pastor at living faith church, where he and his wife were ordained in 2008.