15 Facts About Mike Ozekhome

Mike Ozekhome was born on 15 October 1957 in Iviukwe, Agenebode, Edo State, Nigeria.

Mike Ozekhome began his education at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Iviukwe, where he excelled academically.

Mike Ozekhome continued his secondary education at St Peter's College, Agenebode, and later attended Baptist Academy, Lagos.

Mike Ozekhome proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1981.

Mike Ozekhome has since earned multiple advanced degrees and certifications, including a Ph.

Mike Ozekhome later joined the chambers of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, GCFR, rising to Deputy Head of Chambers by 1985.

In 2009, Mike Ozekhome was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.

Mike Ozekhome serves as Counsel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, African Bar Association, and Pan African Lawyers Union.

Mike Ozekhome has participated in national reform efforts, including the Nigerian National Conferences of 2005,2009, and 2014.

Mike Ozekhome founded the Universal Defenders of Justice Initiative and the Mike Ozekhome Foundation, the latter providing aid to vulnerable communities.

Mike Ozekhome is a weekly columnist in Nigerian newspapers, a public affairs analyst, and a frequent television commentator.

Mike Ozekhome's advocacy has earned him titles such as Senior Advocate of the Masses and Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students from the National Association of Nigerian Students, as well as honorary citizenship of Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas.

On 23 August 2013, Mike Ozekhome was kidnapped along the Benin-Auchi motorway in Edo State, Nigeria, while traveling with his driver.

Mike Ozekhome was released on 12 September 2013 after a ransom was negotiated, an ordeal that garnered significant media attention and highlighted Nigeria's security challenges at the time.

Mike Ozekhome later recounted the experience as "20 days of mental torture," emphasizing his resilience and commitment to justice despite personal risk.