Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) is a renowned Nigerian lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with over 30 years of experience in legal practice.
He has been involved in several high-profile cases, including the recently concluded case between Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress and Ademola Adeleke of the People\’s Democratic Party (PDP) that saw the latter emerging victorious.
In this article, we\’d be exploring the life and career of Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, including his early life, education, and how he rose to become one of Nigeria\’s top lawyers. We will also take a closer look at some of the notable cases he has handled throughout his career, including landmark cases in Nigerian legal history.
Onyechi Ikpeazu Biography and Profile
Full name: Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, OON, FCArb
Date of birth: 15th April 1959
Age: 64 years (2023)
Nationality: Nigerian
Parents: Honourable Justice Chuba Ikpeazu, Eunice Obuzome Ikpeazu
Siblings: Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu
Occupation: Lawyer
Education: Evanston College, Lake Forest College and Oklahoma City University
Marital status: Married
Children:
Religion: Christianity
Net worth:
Onyechi Ikpeazu Biography and Education Background
Onyechi Ikpeazu was born on the 15th of April, 1959 in Onitsha, Anambra State. His father, Honourable Justice Chuba Ikpeazu was a Chief Justice and also served as chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA).
Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu had his primary education at St. Joseph\’s Primary School in Onitsha, after which he enrolled at the prestigious Christ the King College from 1971-1972. He thereafter transferred to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, where he continued his education from 1973-1975.
In the United States of America, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu attended Kendall College, Evanston, Illinois (1976 – 1978) and Lake Forest College, Lake Forest Illinois (1978- 1980). In 1980, he proceeded to Oklahoma City University, where he earned his Doctor of Juridical Science degree in 1982.
From 1982 to 1983, he did his National Youth Service in Benin City, serving in the law firm of Victor Aghayere Esq.
Ikpeazu was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984 as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and has been in active legal practice ever since.
Career
Upon his graduation from Law School in 1984, graduation, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu was called to the Nigerian Bar. He then worked briefly with, S.I. Oputa Esq, from 1984- 1985. In 1985, he joined Ikpeazu Chambers, where he has remained in active Legal practice.
Dr Ikpeazu has served as Chairman of the Onitsha Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association and a National Executive Council (NEC) member of the national body, NBA. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers.
In recognition of his advocacy skills, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2002 and was honoured by the Federal Republic of Nigeria under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua with the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2007.
Notable Cases
Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu has handled several landmark cases in Nigeria, including MOJEKWU V. MOJEKWU; MOJEKWU V. IWUCHUKWU, which preserved the inheritance right of a woman, and NGIGE V OBI, a decision that brought Mr Peter Obi to office as the duly elected Governor of Anambra State.
He led the defence of INEC in several election petitions, including the Presidential Election Petition that arose from the General Election in 2011, and several Governorship Election Petitions arising from the 2015 General election, including; Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Delta State, Ebonyi State, Edo State, Enugu State and Rivers State.
Dr Ikpeazu is also a lead counsel in several State Governorship Election Petitions and appeals arising from the 2019 General Elections, including; Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Cross River State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Imo State, Ogun State, Oyo State and Rivers State.
He was also the lead counsel who defended Adeleke’s victory in the Supreme Court judgement against Gboyega Oyetola following the 2022 gubernatorial election held in Osun State. In the judgment, Justice Agim held that the appellant (Oyetola) failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and other irregularities in the conduct of the election.
Dr Ikpeazu is also one of the 12 SANs in Obi’s legal team challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
With regards to criminal cases, Dr Ikpeazu has successfully defended notable individuals in allegations of crimes, among them are the Late Justice Umezulike, former Chief Judge of Enugu State and Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, former Judge of the Federal High Court.
Personal Life
Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu is happily married with children.
He is a devout Christian. He is also a Justice of the Peace (JP), and he serves as the General Overseer of Our Saviour’s Church located in Onitsha. When he\’s not practising law, Dr Ikpeazu enjoys indulging in his hobbies, which include reading, playing table tennis, and boxing.
He is related to Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, the first-ever Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) winner and former House of Representatives member (serving from 1999 to 2003). She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Anambra United.