Cordelia Uwuma Eke is the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Portharcourt Branch. She is a legal practitioner called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995, with over thirty years’ experience in private law practice and public service. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Public International Law, from the University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom.
She has worked in various law firms, including the law offices of Serena David Dokubo & Co (now Serenity Legal Union), George Etomi & Partners, Chie P.A.O. Olorunnisola & co, Ntephe Smith & Wills Solicitors, Emeka Ichoku & Co, and is presently a Director in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice. Her several roles in private and public practice cut across corporate commercial law practice to litigation, Mediation and Arbitration. She has acted as Head of several Government Departments and led project teams at various times. She also served as a Mediator in the Citizens Rights Directorate of the Ministry where she was fully engaged in resolution of conflicts. She has been appointed a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service of the Rivers State Government.
Mrs. Eke is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), Nigeria, a Certified Mediation Trainer, an Arbitrator, and a registered Neutral with the Rivers State Multi-door Courthouse. She is also a Member of the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (Chartered) (ISMNC), aFellow, College of Diplomatic Studies and International Relations, and aMember of the International Society of Diplomats (ISD).
Cordelia Eke is the published Author of the practice book: CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NIGERIA, A PRACTICAL GUIDE. She is also a Writer and Editor of various legal and quasi-legal works. She initiated and became pioneer Editor-in-Chief of the NBA Section on Business Law News Magazine, Business Law News in the year 2007, edited the NBA Port Harcourt Bar News and several publications for AWLA Rivers and FIDA, and has published journal articles. She is a member of the Advisory Board of Lawhauz Magazine.
Cordelia Eke has held several leadership roles in Civil Society and non-governmental organizations, including as pioneer Rivers State Coordinator of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria, South-South Coordinator AWLA Nigeria, Secretary, African Bar Association (AFBA) Women’s Forum, Mentor, NBA Women’s Forum, Chairperson FIDA Rivers Children’s Day and Widows Day Committees, amongst others.
As the pioneer female Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia Eke is pushing boundaries and redefining leadership as, she heads a branch with over 8,000 Lawyers and heads the Forum of Chairmen in Rivers State. She also wears the cap of the pioneer National President of theNigerian Law School 1995 Call Set Alumni Association, and is Chair of the Steering committee of the Niger Delta NBA Chairmen’s Forum.
Cordelia Eke has also rendered service to the Bar in various capacities in the Nigerian Bar Association at the national level, including as Member of the NBA National Executive Council, Council member of the NBA Human Rights Institute, Secretary Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) 2022, Secretary NBA Electoral Reform Committee (2023), Member, NBA Remuneration Committee member NBA-SBL Eastern Zone Management Committee, Member, Technical committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) and several other roles.
She has been a Resource person on legal and general subjects at local and international conferences, webinars, trainings, and workshops/Seminars, including the NBA Annual General Conferences, the African Bar Association Conference, Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG) UK Webinars, etc. She has also organized and facilitated Mediation and Peace building workshops for Justices of the Peace, NBA Young Lawyers Forum, Rivers State Judiciary, Women organizations, amongst others. Mrs. Eke is the initiator/sponsor of the Cordelia Eke Moot and Mock Championship organized in collaboration with LAWSAN, for Law Students of the Rivers State University 2025.
Cordelia Eke is best known in the past year for her firm opposition to injustice and her courageous stance in opposition to emergency rule and support for the rule of Law in Rivers State at the risk of her job, monitoring local government elections in the State and speaking up in defense of the Judiciary and the society.
Her tenure as NBA Branch Chairman has been marked by disruptions as she ventures into new territories and makes bold decisions with series of progressive policies, welfare and other activities. Some of these include food distribution at subsidized cost to members, medical assistance through HMO subscription for members, international standard law week conferences, NBA AGC support for young lawyers and members, initiating publication of a registered Branch Law Journal with several editions, law practice support through website directory, and general capacity building of members through ICLE certified trainings. She has built bridges by securing collaborations with various non-lawyer organizations like the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, etc. There has also been robust engagement and good working relationships with stakeholders in the justice system like the State Government, Police and the Judiciary, amongst others. She also organized Officers executive retreat and certified trainings for association Staff to enhance their productivity, while initiating HMO cover for them.
She is a recipient of several awards and recognitions, including the HAVEN360 Foundation Champion of Justice Award 2025, The Rising Phoenix Mentorship Award 2025, Niger Delta Advancement Award for Best NBA Chairman in the Niger Delta 2024, COURTROOM MAIL 100 SHID award 2024, the Universal Peace Builders Ambassador of Peace Award, and several mentorship awards from Young Lawyers, Law Students Association of Nigeria, and many others. She is also a patroness of the Rivers State Union of Law Students (RULS), a trailblazer, pace setter, pioneer on several fronts and Mentor to many young women, young lawyers and students.
She is passionate about leadership, mentoring, women and children’s rights advocacy, and is known for her many innovations as branch chairman and for speaking up in the interest of justice and the rule of law.
