“The welfare of the people is the ultimate law.” These timeless words, spoken by the renowned Roman statesman and jurist Cicero, underscore the fundamental purpose of the legal profession. The law serves as the bedrock of society, providing the framework for justice, order, and the protection of individual rights. It is a noble calling, one that demands unwavering dedication, unrelenting passion, and an unshakeable commitment to upholding the principles of justice.
In the realm of Nigerian law, there exist individuals who embody the very essence of Cicero’s wisdom. Ebiere Emmanuella Ekpese is one such trailblazer, a shining exemplar of excellence in the legal profession. Embodying her ethnic Ijo(Ijaw) proverb “Ama bi ke bere, kala bere,” which means “A good name is better than riches,” Ekpese’s name Ebiere, meaning “beautiful woman” in her native Ijo(Ijaw or Izon) dialect, reflects her outstanding character and building a reputation as a leading figure in Nigeria’s legal landscape.
Born in Warri, Delta State, Ekpese hails from a distinguished family. Her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Kasina Patrick and Siere Juliet Ekpese,(Nee Ogobri) were from Toru – ndoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Enekorogha in Burutu Local Government in Delta State, respectively. Consequently, Ekpese’s journey to becoming a renowned lawyer was marked by perseverance and determination.
Ekpese’s educational journey began at Government Day Care, GRA Warri for her Nursery school, Torufa Primary School, Warri and continued at Ekere Secondary School Amabulou in Bayelsa State for her Senior School Certificate. After completing her secondary education in 1996, she initially pursued a pre-degree program and her passion for law led her to pursue a degree in law from Ebonyi State University, in 2004. She excelled academically and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus where she completed her studies in record time in 2011. Her call to the Bar on February 14th, 2012, marked the beginning of a distinguished career that would see her serve in various capacities, both in private practice and in public service. Also, in 2024 she bagged at River State University her Master in Laws degree (LL.M).
After completing her law studies, Ekpese began her career as a legal apprentice at A. S. Arthur & Co in 2011. She then practiced law at A. S Arthur & Co from 2012 to 2013.
Ekpese’ commitment to public service led her to serve as a legal assistant and prosecutor in the Office of the Special Prosecutor on Violent Crimes and Other Related Offences, Bayelsa State, from 2013 to 2019.
In 2019, Ekpese was appointed as Special Adviser on General Duties and Administration to the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bayelsa State, a position she held until 2020.
Currently, Ekpese serves as a Principal State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Bayelsa State, where she has worked on numerous high-profile cases, honing her skills as a prosecutor and advocate.
Ekpese also serve the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) currently as the National Assistant Publicity Secretary, a testament to her passion and resilience in serving the legal community. Her commitment to promoting the interests of lawyers and the judiciary is unwavering, and her leadership skills have been refined through her various roles in the NBA.
This includes serving as Vice Chairperson of FIDA Bayelsa, Secretary of the NBA Sagbama Branch, and Facilitator of the NBA Women’s Forum – Sagbama Branch and she has served in various committee at the local and national level of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) meritoriously .
In addition to her work as a lawyer, Ekpese has also been a prolific writer and facilitator. She has facilitated several workshops and seminars, including a debate on the constitutionality of the ACJA and a mentorship program for young lawyers.
Ekpese’s commitment to excellence is evident in her pursuit of continuous learning. She attended a certificate program on leadership, negotiation, and management at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, which offers various programs aimed at enhancing legal knowledge and skills and she attended the introduction to case management training with the Lagos Multidoor courthouse. Her pursuit for knowledge has led her to attend several workshops, conferences across the country.
Throughout her career, Ekpese has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to justice, love, and service. As the great Greek philosopher, Aristotle, once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Ekpese’s excellence in the legal profession is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for helping others.
Ekpese has held numerous positions in the Nigerian legal community, including:
– Secretary, NBA Sagbama Branch: (2020-2022) – Welfare Secretary NBA Sagbama Branch(2015 – 2017), 2019.
– Secretary, NBA Sagbama Week Planning Committee (2024).
– Member, Eastern Bar Forum:
– Member/Facilitator, NBA Technical Committee on Conference Planning (2021).
– Chairman, NBA Sagbama COVID-19 Palliative Committee (2019).
– Chairman, NBA Sagbama Thanksgiving Committee (2020).
– Secretary, Welfare Committee – Eastern Bar Forum (2022-2023).
– Facilitator, NBA Women’s Forum – Sagbama Branch (2022 to 2024).
– Secretary, NBA Election Fact-finding Team to Bori Branch (2022).
– Facilitator, NBA CLE Mentorship Program (2023).
– Alternate Chairman, NBA Sagbama End of Year Party (2023).
– Coordinator, South-South Leadership Training, FIDA Nigeria (LOC) (2024).
– National Assistant Publicity Secretary (2024 to date)
FIDA Bayelsa: – Chairperson, Law Week Planning Committee (2022, 2023).
– Assistant Secretary (2019-2021).
– Vice Chairperson (2021-2024).
– Chairperson, Alternate Dispute Resolution/Litigation Committee (2021 – 2024)
– Alternate Chairperson, CLE FIDA Bayelsa (2023 to 2024).
Ekpese is a member of various professional organizations, including the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA Section on Legal Practice, Law Officers Association, FIDA, Eastern Bar Forum, NBA Women’s Forum, and Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
Ekpese, as a criminal lawyer with over ten years’ experience as a prosecutor, she possesses strong leadership skills and a team player. She has an excellent problem-solving skills, with innovative solutions to complex legal problems individually and as part of a team. An administrator with office management skills, she is a gender advocate, writer, and Christian who loves to manage events and veteran welfare duties. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and listening to music. Consequently, as Ekpese celebrates 14 years at the Bar, today the 14th February, 2025 the words of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, a renowned Nigerian jurist resonates, “The law is the calling of thinkers, but the practice of the law before the courts is the calling of advocates, of men and women of action, of drama, of persuasion, of conviction.”
Ebiere Emmanuella Ekpese (TripleE) is a shining example of this ideal, and her contributions to the Nigerian legal landscape will be remembered for years to come as she continues to serve the Bar and humanity.
•Ayebawaduanyu Dominion Benjamin, PhD.
A lecturer at the Department of History and International Studies University of Africa Toru-orua Bayelsa State and a Member of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN)
ayedomonion007@gmail.com
