User:Justice Edem Ekwo Inyang

Justice Ekwo Edem Inyang

Inyang Edem Ekwo was born March 12, 1964. I was appointed a Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in January, 2008.

I was born to Chief Benson Dick Ekwo and Ekaete Benson Dick Ekwo,  both of Nduo Eduo in Okon-Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Completed primary education in Ambo Primary School,  Calabar in 1977, started secondary education at the Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku and moved  to Eket Modern High School, Eket, Akwa Ibom State where i obtained the General Certificate of Education  in 1985.

I enrolled for his General Certificate of Education Advanced Level in 1985 at the School of Arts and Science, Uyo,  later abandoned the programme in 1986 when offered admission in the Law Faculty of the University of Cross River State, obtained the Bachelor of Laws (LLB), from the University of Cross River State in 1990.

I was called to the Bar of the Nigeria Law School (BL), Lagos in 1991. Later obtained the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)  from the Pan African Theological College, Abuja in 2001,  a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDJ) from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, in 2001.

In 2008, I completed and was awarded a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. A Doctor of Philosophy of Law (PhD Law) from the European American University, Roseau Valley, Commonwealth of Dominica.

I served in the Department of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Ondo, Ondo State during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 1991-1992 where I was exposed to the artistry of criminal prosecution.

In 1992, I joined the Law Firm of Messrs Dotun Akinkigbe and Company in Lagos. Where I was exposed to civil litigation.

In NOV. 1992, I joined the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and was posted to the Litigation Department which handled Enforcement of Company Laws and Litigations. I took up appointment as lecturer of Commercial Law with Abuja School of Accountancy and Professional Studies  between 1995 and 1997.

I served as a Member of Faculty with the European American University, Roseau Valley, Commonwealth of Dominica, and was made Professor of Law  in 2011.

I was appointed a Judge of the Nigerian Federal High Court in 2008, a position I hold till date.

I attended quite a number of international conferences in pursuance of practical professional knowledge

1.) Practicing Law in the 21st Century IBA Regional Conference in Accra – Ghana in 1999. 2.) Developing the Law as an Instrument for Social and Economic Rights, IBA Regional Conference in Lagos in 2004. 3.) International Bar Conference in Prague, Czech Republic in 2005. 4.) International Bar Conference in Chicago, in 2006. 5.) Development In Banking Law Jurisprudence And Adjudication In A Period Of Global Economic Crises in London in 2011. 6.) I  Undertook a Foreign Study Tours Of The Companies House in Cardiff in 2004. 7.) Charities Commission in London in  2007. 8.) Commercial Arbitration Court in London in 2011. 9.) Immigration Court (Under The Department Of Justice) in Miami, Florida in 2015.

Other Positions I have handled includes : Attorney-General, Law Students’ Association (LAWSA) President, Press Club,  University of Cross River State. Secretary/Member, Companies and Allied Matters Law Review Committee, Corporate Affairs Commission. Secretary/Member, Companies and Allied Matters (Fees Regulations Review) Committee, Corporate Affairs Commission in 2002. Secretary, Task Force on Enforcement of Compliance by companies in Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Commission in 2003. Secretary/Member, Drafting Committee on the Companies and Allied Matters Act (Regulations), Corporate Affairs Commission in 2006. Representative of the Corporate Affairs Commission in Inter-ministerial (Standing) committee on the Exemption of Foreign Companies from Incorporation in Nigeria in 2002. Founding Secretary, Abuja Chapter, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators in 2004. Secretary/Member, Editorial Board, Nigeria Company Law Report in 2006 National President, Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Issiet, Old Students Association in 2010 till date. Member, Editorial Board, Nigerian Federal High Court Law Report in 2017 till date.

I am also a researcher and an author in both Law and Literary fields. In the field of law, i have blazed the trail in researches in rare areas such as Incorporates Trustees, Education and Drug Laws. These have resulted in the following publications:


 * Incorporated Trustees Law for Churches and Religious Associations. Brighter Law Publications Limited.


 * Incorporated Trustees: Law and Practice in Nigeria. LexisNexis, South Africa.

Odade Publishers.
 * Education Law and Administration in Nigeria.


 * Drug Laws Enforcement and Administration in Nigeria. Princeton Associates.

My Published Articles includes:

Legality of the Exercise of Compilations.
 * Appraisal of the Revisions and Editions of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:


 * Current Challenges on Jurisdiction of the Nigerian Federal High Court on Matters Arising from Companies and Allied Matters Act.

Receivership and Liquidation:


 * Functions of the Nigerian Federal High Court Registry on Processes and Proceedings.


 * The Church and the Development in the 21st Century - presented at the 10th anniversary of The Apostolic Church Nigeria.


 * Renaissance of Intellectualism in Pastoral Leadership; the Challenge of Relevance, Convocation Lecture at the Convocation of The Apostolic Theological College Lagos in 2015.

My Contributions in Literature with five (5) works of Fiction and an Anthology of Poems.

1.) In 2008, I published "Storm in the Will" : which received ANA/Jacaranda Prose Prize in 2009.

Reviews:

i.) The 335 page book is a captivating story. "Storm in the Will" is a good novel, a touching story with moral lessons for the young and old. I recommend it for every home - The Vanguard.

ii.) Novel of the moment, whose intimidating posture has created literary earthquake… "Storm In The Will" is probably one of the few latest fictional novels by a Nigerian writer that will stand the test of time… Creative imagination… will be an admired compendium for Nollywood team, recommended to all institutions of higher learning as a good literature book from a laurel - The Daily Independent

iii.) "Storm in the Wil" is a novel for all classes of people. It is quite revealing, profound and touching to the extent that once you pick it up to read you may not like to put it down until the last chapter … This is why Inyang Ekwo can be said to have given the world a novel so unique and so special and for this, he must be commended for this rare offer -The Nation

iv.) "Storm in the Will" is carefully weaved... The scenes in the novel are so vivid and are presented in a way that could be acted if a stage is set for it… The book should be recommended not only for use in school certificate examination but for advanced studies in the universities - Midweek Pioneer.

2. This was followed by another novel; "Just a Mile More" in 2009. "Beyond the Yard" in 2012 which received ANA Prose Prize (1st Runner up) in 2012.

Reviews

1.) “The book is a suspense filled and rich narrative told throughout in the first person pronoun and heavily laced with elements of humour, which also exposes Inyang Ekwo’s mastery of wit. The narrative seems written in defence of the awards he has won in prose and poetry despite being a judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. The book showcases the author as an extraordinary inimitable user of vocabulary, a quality typical of people in the ‘learned’ profession. His power of description which cannot be left unmentioned makes the book a more compelling and interesting piece to read.” Page 45, Sunday Vanguard, July 1, 2012.

2.) Ekwo has a unique way of telling a story. He is a master of details…nothing is left untouched. In so doing, Ekwo sets the mind of the reader on a continuous journey. His descriptive power is unparalleled. Page 40, Saturday Guardian, August 25, 2012.

3.) "The Fall of Silence" was published in 2013,  which also received the ANA/Chevron Prose Prize (1st Runner up) in 2013.

4.) "Mission of the Dusk" is undergoing rave review.

Institutions Attended For Continuous Professional Development And Certificates Obtained:

1.) Certificate in Administration of Corporate Laws and Management from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos in 1993.

2.) Certificate in Drafting Commercial Agreements and Banking Documentation from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos in 1993.

3.) Certificate in Administration of Corporate Laws and Management from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Lagos, in 2000.

4.) Certificate in Administrative Law, International Law Institute (ILI), Kampala, in 2000.

5.) Certificate in Advanced Practice and Procedure (21st Course), Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos, in 2001.

6.) Certificate in Advanced Practice and Procedure (24th Course), Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Lagos, in 2004.

7.) Certificate in Information Technology Management Concepts and Application, The American University in Cairo, Egypt in 2007.

Landmark Judgements that have been affirmed by Appellate Courts: i. Dr. Abdullahi Baba Buba v. CPC & Ors.SUIT NO: FHC/LKJ/CS/15/2011 decided on 5th December, 2011.Judgement affirmed by Court of Appeal, Abuja in Appeal No. CA/A/84/2012 decided on 28th June, 2012.Judgement of Court of Appeal affirmed by the Supreme Court on 10th May, 2013; see Abdul v. C.P.C. (2014) 1 NWLR (Pt.1388) 299.

ii. CPC & Anor. v. INEC & Ors. SUIT NO. FHC/LKJ/CS/22/2012, decided on 24th September, 2012,Judgement affirmed by the Court of Appeal Abuja. Judgement affirmed by the Supreme Court on 13th March, 2015 per Appeal No. SC/478/2013. See James v. INEC (2015) 12 NWLR (Pt.1474) 538; (2015) All FWLR (Pt.787) 652.Another aspect of my Judgement in this case affirmed by the Supreme Court in APC v. INEC (2015) 8 NWLR (Pt.1462) 531.

iii. Hon. Gabriel Yunisa Olofu v.Damian Abdul Adejoh & OrsSUIT NO. FHC/LKJ/CS/52/2011 decided on 29th June, 2012.Judgement affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on 31st January, 2014 in Appeal No. CA/A/490/2012.

iv. FRN v. Gabriel Daudu & Anor. SUIT NO. FHC/LKJ/CS/52/2011 decided on 29th June, 2012.Judgement affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on 1st March, 2017.Judgement affirmed by the Supreme Court on 26th January, 2018.

v. Heineken Lokpobiri v. Ogola & Ors. Suit No: FHC/YNG/CS/03/2015. Ruling delivered on 16th March, 2015. Affirmed in part by the Supreme Court in Lokpobiri v. Ogola on 2nd November, 2015; see Lokpobiri v. Ogola (2016) 3 NWLR (Pt.1499) 328.

My Academic Awards includes:

1.) Doctor of Letters, DLitt. (Honoris Causa) in  2010, by the European American University, Roseau Valley, Commonwealth of Dominica,  for  contribution to literary field.

2.) Doctor of Divinity, D.D (Honoris Causa) in 2011, by the Agape Christian Theological Seminary,  Abuja, for academic contributions in that field.

3. Doctor of Philosophy (Religion) (Honoris Causa) in 2013, by the Gilgal University, in Rivers state for academic contributions in the field of religious studies.

I am a Fellow of 1.) Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.

2.) Institute of Chartered Trustees, Nigeria,

3.) Eternity Theological College, Uyo, Nigeria.

Awards for humanitarian services:


 * 1) Award of excellence by association of Akwa Ibom Lawyers in Abuja, in 2008.


 * 1) Award of recognition by The Apostolic Church,  Eket, Akwa Ibom State, in 2009.


 * 1) Award of honour by The Apostolic Church School of Ministry, Abuja, in 2010.


 * 1) Award of excellence by Akwa Mboho Nsit foundation, Akwa Ibom state in 2014.


 * 1) Award of excellence by Akwa Ibom/Cross River Community in Lokoja chapter.