Categories: Nigeria News

10 things you need to know about Festus Keyamo

  1. Early Life: Festus Egwarewa Keyamo was born on January 21, 1970, in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria. His father is from Effurun, also in Delta State.

  2. Legal Career: He began his legal career in 1993 at the renowned Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers in Lagos, where he gained valuable experience before establishing his own law firm, Festus Keyamo Chambers.

  3. Human Rights Activist: Festus Keyamo is known for his active involvement in human rights activism and has taken on high-profile cases involving political and social justice issues in Nigeria.

  4. Notable Cases: He has been a counsel in significant cases, including defending the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, and representing the leader of the Movement For The Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike.

  5. Political Involvement: Keyamo has been actively involved in Nigerian politics and was appointed as the director of Strategic Communications for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019.

  6. Ministerial Appointment: He was nominated as a minister in President Buhari’s second administration and underwent screening by the Nigerian Senate. He was initially appointed as Minister of State for Niger Delta but was later redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

  7. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN): Keyamo was awarded the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) in 2017, recognizing his outstanding legal contributions.

  8. Global Human Rights Award: In 2017, he received the Global Human Rights Award from the United States Global Leadership Council in Washington for his advocacy in promoting human rights and accountable governance in Nigeria.

  9. Advocacy against Illegal Appointments: Keyamo has been vocal in challenging illegal appointments of service chiefs by the Nigerian government and has taken the Federal Government of Nigeria to court over such issues.

  10. Award Recipient: In 2023, he was among the recipients of the national award conferred by former President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his contributions to the nation.

Ameh Jazzia-Becky

Recent Posts

CCYF Clears Pastor Fatoyinbo of Alleged Disparaging Remarks Against Apostle Ayo Babalola

The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has dismissed circulating reports that Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of…

1 hour ago

[OPINION] Benue – The cost of change by Michael Oglegba

Time really flies. It’s now over two years since Rev. Fr. Alia took over the…

13 hours ago

BREAKING: Moses Orshio Adasu University suspends SUG president indefinitely

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Benue State, has…

1 day ago

FEC pays tribute to Audu Ogbeh as Tinubu inaugurates NLRC members

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, inaugurated new members of the Nigeria Law Reforms Commission (NLRC)…

1 day ago

Audu Ogbeh’s death, a painful blow – House of Reps hopeful, Inalegwu Adaje

A House of Representatives hopeful for Ado/Akpokwu/Ogbadigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Inalegwu Ejembi Adaje, has extended…

3 days ago

Audu Ogbeh: Rep Agbese declares 14 days of mourning

It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that the Office of the Member…

4 days ago