Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu
Hon. Justice Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu | |
|---|---|
| Chief Judge of Lagos State | |
| In office May 28, 2001 – May 5, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Christopher Olatunde Segun |
| Succeeded by | Afolabi Fatai Adeyinka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1940 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Died | April 10, 2025 |
| Education | Inns of Court School of Law, London |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) |
Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu (née Williams; March 19, 1940 – April 10, 2025) was a Nigerian jurist who served as the Chief Judge of Lagos State from 2001 to 2004.[1] She was the first woman to hold several senior positions in the Lagos State Judiciary and was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for her service.[2]
Early life and education
Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu was born on March 19, 1940, in Lagos State, Nigeria.[3] She attended Girls' Seminary on Broad Street and Our Lady of Apostles Girls Secondary School in Lagos for her primary and secondary education and later studied law at the Inns of Court School of Law in London where she was called to the Bar.[3]
Judicial career
Sotuminu began her career in the Lagos State Judiciary as a magistrate in 1969 and was subsequently promoted to Chief Magistrate.[4] In 1984, she became the first woman appointed Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court.[5]
She was elevated to the High Court bench in February 1986.[6] Sotuminu was appointed Chief Judge of Lagos State on May 28, 2001, succeeding Christopher Olatunde Segun and served in that role until May 5, 2004.[7] During her tenure, she initiated various reforms aimed at improving court infrastructure and justice delivery processes.[8][9]
Awards and honours
Sotuminu was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of her contributions to the Nigerian judiciary.[2]
Death
Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu died on April 10, 2025, at the age of 86.[4][10] Following her death, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended condolences to her family and colleagues, noting her service to the judiciary and legal profession.[11]
References
- ^ "State Court System". Lagos Judiciary. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS AG PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE JUSTICE IBITOLA A. SOTUMINU AT VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION". Lagos State Ministry of Justice. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "SOTUMINU, Justice Ibitola Adebisisi". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "Tinubu mourns as Justice Sotuminu dies at 86 - P.M. News". pmnewsnigeria.com. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ Ugbodaga, Kazeem (April 10, 2025). "Tinubu mourns as Justice Sotuminu dies at 86". PM News Nigeria. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
In 1984, she shattered barriers as the first woman appointed Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court.
- ^ "SOTUMINU, Justice Ibitola Adebisisi". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "List of Chief Judges of Lagos State". Lagos State Judiciary. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
Hon. Justice I.A. Sotuminu (Mrs) OON – 28 May 2001 to 5 March 2004
- ^ Sobowale, Adetutu (April 10, 2025). "Tinubu mourns former Lagos Chief Judge, Sotuminu". The Punch. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria: Lagos Judiciary: A New Dawn". allAfrica. ThisDay. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Tinubu mourns former Lagos CJ, Justice Ibitola Sotuminu". westernpost.ng. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "President Tinubu Mourns Justice Ibito Adebisi Sotuminu – The Statehouse, Abuja". statehouse.gov.ng. Retrieved December 24, 2025.