Ace lawyer Paul Harris Ogbole appointed member of Body of Benchers

Ace lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Harris Ogbole, has been appointed a member of the prestigious Body of Benchers, the highest regulatory body responsible for the admission of lawyers into the Nigerian Bar and the discipline of legal practitioners.

IDOMA VOICE observed that this is coming barely six years after his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2019 — a milestone reserved for legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves in the profession.

The appointment places Ogbole among top-tier legal minds entrusted with shaping the ethical and professional standards of the legal profession in Nigeria.

Ogbole has over three decades of legal experience spanning Arbitration, Criminal and Constitutional Law, Corporate Practice, Election Petitions, Energy and Telecommunications Law, among others.

He has also served the nation in various capacities, including as a member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Board, and chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State.

His new role is seen as further recognition of his contributions to legal practice, professional discipline and public service.

What this appointment Means

The Body of Benchers is the highest decision-making body in Nigeria’s legal profession. It is responsible for:

• Regulating the legal profession in Nigeria

• Setting standards for professional conduct and discipline

• Admitting new lawyers into the Nigerian Bar

• Oversight of law schools and the call-to-bar processes

Membership is strictly by recognition and is reserved for the most distinguished legal minds, including serving and retired Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Attorneys-General, and very senior legal practitioners who have excelled in the profession.

Why It Is Significant

Paul Harris Ogbole’s appointment:

• Marks him as one of the top voices guiding the future of legal practice in Nigeria

• Places him among the elite custodians of the ethics and standards of the Bar

• Confirms national acknowledgment of his professional excellence and public service contributions

• Strengthens his influence in shaping reforms within the justice system

In practical terms, Ogbole will now sit in a body that decides who becomes a lawyer, how lawyers should conduct themselves, and what disciplinary actions should be taken when the profession is compromised.