Introducing OKEY ILOFULUNWA
Mr. Okey Ilofulunwa attended Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha, Anambra State. He proceeded to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where he received a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.) degree in 1997. Okey, as he is fondly called, enrolled at the Nigerian Law School for his vocational training and graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.
Though Okey was invited by the leading consulting firm, Arthur Andersen to join its practice, he declined the lucrative offer due to his passion for core legal practice. He joined the law firm of Olisa Agbakoba & Associates (now Olisa Agbakoba Legal) where he performed his national service (NYSC) in 2000. Due to his stellar performance, he was retained by the firm.
While at Olisa Agbakoba & Associates, Okey handled several human rights cases for Human Rights Law Services (HURILAWS), a public interest and not-for-profit organisation. He was involved in many prison decongestion cases which led to the release of several indigent inmates among others.
In recognition of his uncommon industry and scholarship, Okey in 2004 received a scholarship from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana USA as a young African Scholar to pursue his Master of Laws (LL. M.) degree in International Law, with specialization in International Human Rights. His brilliance again shone as he graduated Summa Cum Laude (First Class), emerging as the Best Graduating Student.
He interned with Midwest Immigrants and Human Rights Centre in Chicago in 2005 and returned to Nigeria the following year. A consummate team player, Okey teamed up with some colleagues to set up Chancery Law Firm, a full-service practice where he is a Partner.
Okey has attended many courses both locally and overseas. In 2002 in Banjul, The Gambia he presented a paper on “Law and Judiciary.” He also in 2007 presented a paper on Legislative Advocacy in Relation to Inheritance Rights in Nigeria.” He has conducted training on Corporate Social Responsibility for Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) and Fate Foundation among other multinational companies. Okey has published over 10 scholarly articles on law, human rights and maritime law in leading journals. In 2015, he attended Central European University Budapest Hungary where he obtained a certificate in International Human Rights Litigation.
Okey has a passion for service. He is a member of Rotary International and has served Rotary Club of Ikate, Surulere Lagos as its President for two terms, Okey has been a long-standing member of the International humanitarian organisation for over 15 years.
His service to the Nigerian Bar is as distinguished as his academic excellence. Okey was a member of the 2009 Law Dinner Committee where he single-handedly facilitated the acceptance by Prof. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, then Chairman of Ghana Electoral Commission to give the Keynote Address and spotlight the model he adopted for the highly successful 2008/2009 Ghana Elections where his former roommate, Dr. Nana Akufo-Addo lost to Prof. John Atta Mills. He also spearheaded the move towards a non-paying dinner for all branch members, an idea ultimately endorsed by the dinner committee. It remains the only free dinner by our branch in recent history. Okey also served the branch in 2013-2015 as an Ex-officio Member, and again facilitated the highly substantial discounts afforded branch members by Air Peace Airline during the 2014 NBA Annual General Conference in Owerri.
An epitome of selfless service, the recurring theme in legal circles is that Okey is okay for the post of branch Vice Chairman.
