The 1985 Class of the Nigerian Law School on Monday 28th 2023 honoured one of the formidable Judges of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Faustina Kola-Olalere, FCIArb in special recognition of her outstanding contributions to the legal profession particularly in areas of justice dispensation and administration.
The historic reunion marks 38 years of the class called to the Nigerian Bar and the occasion was used to formally celebrate some of the notable members who have distinguished themselves in the noble profession over the years.
The Chairman of the occasion who is also a member of the class, Hon. Justice John Okoro, JSC, OFR while congratulating the honourees expressed joy and appreciation to the God Almighty for the grace and prayed for more.
Other honourees were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Chief Judges of Oyo, Ondo, Benue and Kaduna State; Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, Hon. Justice Aiyedun Segun Odusola, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese and Hon. Justice Mohammed Aliyu respectively.
Also honoured include the President of the Kaduna Customary Courts of Appeal, Hon. Judges, Senior Advocates, and Captains of Industries, private legal practitioners among others.
Hon. Justice Kola-Olalere was called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985 after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree inLaw at the University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria and postgraduate studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Nigeria.
Prior to her elevation as a Judge of the National Industrial Court in 2008, and in her 24-year career as a lawyer, she has variously served the Kwara State Government and the Judiciary as a clerical officer in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development; Court Registrar; Magistrate Grade 11; Senior Magistrate Grade 11; Acting Chief Magistrate; Judge, Kwara State Revenue Court, Ilorin; Member, Local Government Election Petition Tribunals at Katsina, Kaduna and Kwara States respectively; member, State Government Election Petition Tribunal in Kaduna State; Secretary, Kwara State Judicial Service Commission; Chief Magistrate, Grade I; and Chairman, Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter.
Justice Kola-Olalere represented Nigeria at the International Visitor’s Leadership Programme of the USA Department of State in 2005, and Kwara State at the conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Accra, Ghana in 2005.
Justice Kola-Olalere has been a member of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Arakeji, Osun State since 2018 till date.
Hon. Justice Kola-Olalere has attended various conferences, courses, seminars, workshops and study tours in Nigeria, Italy (Turin), USA and the Caribbean Countries. His Lordship is currently the administration Judge of the Portharcourt Judicial Division of the Court.
My Lord, Justice Kola-Olalere was ably represented by the Senior Registrar, Head of the litigation officer of the Port Harcourt Division, Animashaun Abidemi Esq.