Epiphany Azinge, SAN, (born 13 November 1957) is a Nigerian lawyer and academic. He was the 5th Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies from 2009 and 2014.[1] He is a Judge at the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal sitting in London, where he represents Nigeria and Africa. He is the founder and senior partner at Azinge & Azinge, a law firm in Abuja where his wife Valerie Azinge (also a SAN) is also a partner.[2]
Epiphany Azinge | |
|---|---|
| Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies | |
| In office 2009–2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 13, 1957 Aba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | |
Education
editEpiphany had his secondary education at Sanit Patrick's College, Asaba from 1970 to 1975. He studied law at the University of Lagos in 1976 and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980. He proceeded to the University of London for his master's degree in comparative constitutional law and shipping law in 1983. He proceeded to the London School of Economics for his Ph.D. His thesis was on Electoral Laws in Nigeria.[1] In June 2015, he was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT) for a period of four years. He was re-appointed for another term of four years in 2019.[3]
Career
editHe started his career as a lecturer at the University of Benin, and then at the University of Abuja, where he introduced the information technology law in Nigeria in 1996. He also lectured at the Nasarawa State University.[1] He was appointed Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche where he served from 1991 to 1997. He was promoted to the status of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2006.[4][3] He was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies from 2009 to 2014.[5]
On 18 August 2024, Azinge emerged as 14th Asagba of Asaba designate[6] ahead of other titled sons of the town. Until his emergence, he held a traditional chieftaincy title of the Okilolo of Asaba.
He will succeed Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, the 13th Asagba of Asaba, who joined his ancestors on 7 February 2024.
Recognitions
editAzinge was awarded honorary LLD in 2013 by the Commonwealth University, Belize. In 2014 he was decorated with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Goodluck Jonathan. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.[3]
Personal life
editAzinge is an indigene of Asaba, Nigeria. He is married to Dr. Valerie Azinge, SAN and they have four children together.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Ani, Laura (13 November 2018). "Epiphany Azinge (SAN): A worthy fellow". Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Onochie, Bridget Chiedu (28 February 2017). "'A lot of women do not know their rights'". Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Idornigie, Paul Odo (4 June 2019). "Re-appointment of Professor Epiphany Azinge as a member, Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal". Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Amaize, Emma (19 July 2020). "40 YEARS AT THE BAR: I helped not only to make professors but also senior advocates". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Ezeobi, Chimelie (20 August 2021). "Silent Heroes to Award Matriach Elumelu, 21 Others for Impacting Humanity". This Day Live. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Prof Azinge Emerges New Asagba of Asaba – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ^ "Epiphany Azinge | St. Patrick's College, Asaba (SPC) Alumni USA Inc". Retrieved 2024-06-26.