Hon. Mr. Justice Ejembi Eko was born on the 23rd of May, 1952. He hails from Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. He attended Methodist Primary School, Ugboju-Icho from 1958 – 1962, Native Authority Primary School, Ugbokpo, Apa from 1963 – 1965, Wesley High School, Otukpo from 1966 – 1970, Government College, Keffi from 1971 – 1972, University of Ife, Ile-Ife from 1973 – 1976 and Nigerian Law School, Lagos from 1976 – 1977. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on 2nd July, 1977.
Hon. Justice Eko commenced his legal career in 1977 with the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice where he served under the National Youth Service scheme. From August 1978 – January 1980, he delved into private legal practice, starting as a Junior Counsel at Omakwu & Onyeke Chambers, Otukpo, Benue State. On the 1st of February, 1980, he began practice at his private law firm, Eko & Co, Otukpo as a Principal Counsel. From June 1982 – March 1987, he worked as a Senior Partner at Eko & Onum, Otukpo.
Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko was appointed first Director of Civil Litigation, Benue State Ministry of Justice in April 1987. He served in this capacity until he was appointed Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Justice on the 1st of October, 1987. He was appointed Judge of the Benue State High Court on 9th February, 1989. He rose to become Acting Chief Judge of Benue State from November 2005 – February 2006. Hon. Justice Eko was appointed Justice of the Court of Appeal in December 2007. He joined the Court of Appeal Bench in February 2008 and served in various Divisions of the Court of Appeal before he was elevated to the Supreme Court Bench on the 7th of November, 2016.
Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko has served in various ad-hoc duties including: Coroner for Otukpo, Benue State, 1981 – 1987; Maiden Secretary, Benue Sate Law Reports, 1979 – 1987; Leader, Benue State Team (Legal) at the Obudu/Vandeikya Border Dispute Commission, 1987 – 1988; Chairman, Local Governments Election Tribunal – Bayelsa State, 1998; Chairman, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal – Jigawa State, 1999; Chairman, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal – Enugu State, 2003; Chairman, Benue State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal, 2004 – 2007.
Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko attended several local and international Workshops, Seminars and Conferences. He is a prolific writer who has to his credit, the following publications:
- The Law of Bail (See Amazon Books – amazon.co.uk; Google Books – booksgoogle.com; worldcat.org; Open Library – openlibrary.org.
- Collection of Poems.
- Several Seminar Papers presented at All Nigeria Judges Conferences, and National Judicial Institute.
Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko is married and blessed with seven children. His hobbies and interests cut across farming, gaming, reading and writing. His particular area of interest in Law is Human Rights Jurisprudence and Administrative law.
Source: Supreme CourtÂ