HON. JUSTICE O. F. OLOYEDE
Biography
Born in Ilesa, Osun State of Ijesa parents, on the 18th day of December, 1966, Honourable Justice Olamide Folahanmi OLOYEDE is a jurist/legal professional with thirty-three (33) years post qualification experience, in the general field of legal practice. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in December, 1988, a Council of Legal Education Certificate, of the Nigerian Law School, Victorian Island Lagos, in December, 1989, sequel to which she was enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate on 15th December, 1989. She thereafter pursued and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) Degree, again, from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in October, 2001.
His Lordship’s experience spans Constitutional, Civil, Criminal and Industrial law, having worked her way up learning various aspects of the profession from being a Junior Counsel, Junior Counsel: Irving and Bonnar (Barristers & Solicitors), Ebani House, Marina, Lagos State, between June, 1991- July 1994; Legal Officer: Osogbo Steel Rolling Coy. August, 1994- August, 1996. She was an Associate Counsel, at Anyaibe & Co (Keller Chambers), Waterlines, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, between September, 1996- October, 1998. His lordship was appointed to the Magisterial Bench, of the Osun State Judiciary, as a Senior Magistrate Grade 2 in November, 1998, and rose through the ranks to become the Chief Registrar/ Chief Sheriff of the State Judiciary, July 2008-May 2010, a position in which she coordinated and managed court employees in the provision of full HR support and services to the State Judiciary; in recognition of which his lordship was elevated to the High Court Bench by appointment on the 19th of May, 2010, the office that she currently exercises.
His lordship displays expertise and skills in the areas of: legal codes, Interpretation and application of laws, keen observational skills, objective fact evaluation, good grasp of civil and criminal procedure, research and analysis, effective communication and lucid writing style, Leadership, coaching and mentoring; deft caseload management, Policy Formulation and Implementation, and has received extensive training (Local and international) in Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, as well as in Peace Keeping Missions.
In addition to her professional work, she continues to work assiduously to develop and help drive reforms to correct systemic inequalities and injustices and improve/increase access to justice for underserved communities. Towards this end, his lordship was a volunteer in the Technical Committee on Constitutional Review, for the 9th Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria. July 2020 – May, 2022.
Furthermore, his lordship teaches law and mentors students “ex gratis” in public and private universities in the community. A committed Research Fellow, her area of interest focuses on the nexus between law and human flourishing, and her research topic is on how the effective enforcement of the constitutional crime of misconduct can stimulate economic growth, and better quality living for the people of Nigeria, thus leading to enhanced, speedier inclusive development and the attainment of the much longed for social justice.
An author, his lordship also has to his credit the “Nitty-Gritty of Proof”, (a 180 pages book on criminal procedure) and Orijentegbe: (a Voter Education short drama playlet). His lordship’s strong points are said to be her keen sense of justice, industry, His lordship’s strong points are said to be her empathy and integrity.