By Peter Dibia
On April 19, family members, associates, and well wishers will celebrate the birthday of Chief Barrister Ezekwere Daniel Okafor, a distinguished legal practitioner, scholar, administrator, community leader and clan chief whose life reflects dedication to justice, leadership, and service to humanity. The occasion also coincides with a family thanksgiving, birthday celebration, and house warming ceremony, marking another milestone in the life of a man whose contributions span law, governance, academia, and community development.
Chief Barrister Ezekwere Daniel Okafor is widely known as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Principal and Head of Practice at Eze Okafor Legal Services and Consultancy, a reputable legal and consulting firm with its head office in Owerri, Imo State and practice in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Portharcourt, Asaba, Aba, Nassarawa and many states in Northern Nigeria.Through his law practice, he has provided legal and technical advisory services to several individuals, governmental institutions, companies, and organizations across Nigeria.
Born on April 19 in Aboh Oru, Ozara community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, Okafor has grown to become a respected voice in the legal profession and public administration. His early life reflected a passion for education and excellence, a trait that has continued to define his professional journey.
His academic path began at Aboh Primary School in Aboh Ozara before proceeding to Comprehensive Secondary School Ozara for his secondary education. Driven by a deep interest in law and justice, he later gained admission to Imo State University, Owerri, where he studied law and graduated as the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Law. His quest for knowledge did not stop there as he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, where he obtained his qualification to practice law in Nigeria.
Further strengthening his academic and professional credentials, Chief Okafor earned a Master of Laws degree from Imo State University and later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Corporate Criminal Law. His intellectual development also includes certification in arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, as well as professional certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner Texas United States of America.
Beyond his academic accomplishments, Chief Okafor is an active member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association, African Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Stockbrokers, and the African Academy for Counter Fraud and Anti Corruption Studies.
Throughout his professional career, Chief Okafor has distinguished himself in legal practice, arbitration, corporate governance, and consultancy. As the Principal of Eze Okafor and Company, he has led legal teams in handling complex litigation, corporate legal services, property matters, election petitions, and debt recovery cases. His firm also provides consultancy services to various government agencies, corporations, and institutions.
Earlier in his career, he served in the chambers of the renowned legal luminary J. B. Daudu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, where he gained extensive experience in both criminal and civil litigation. During this period, he also engaged in academic tutoring at the Nigerian Law School Abuja Campus contributing to the development of young legal by publishing Corporate Law without Tears to assist Law School Students to navigate the complex and nuances of Corporate Law.
Chief Okafor has also played significant roles in governance and public administration. He served as Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State in ENTRACO and has participated in several technical government committees. In addition, he has been a member of various election committees of the All Progressives Congress and served on the South West Zonal Committee of the party’s National Registration Monitoring Committee.
His expertise in law and governance has also seen him serve as a consultant to civil service commissions in matters relating to staff recruitment and training, as well as corporate governance and secured transactions. Over the years, he has provided legal advisory services to more than fifty companies and corporate organizations.
Apart from his legal practice and public service, Chief Okafor is also a prolific writer and legal scholar. He has authored several books and academic publications that contribute to legal scholarship and governance discourse in Nigeria. Some of his notable works include Nigeria: A Giant with Mosquito Legs, Community Governance, Administration and Leadership in Nigeria, Corporate Law Without Tears, Provocation in Law, Mortgage Creation and Enforcement: Problems and Prospects, Understanding Enforcement of Judgment in Nigeria, and Corporate Criminal Liability in Nigeria.
His works have been widely acknowledged for addressing practical legal issues and governance challenges in Nigeria, making them valuable resources for students, practitioners, and policy makers.
Beyond professional achievements, Chief Okafor is deeply committed to faith, family, and community service. A Knight of St John International, he has continued to support religious and community initiatives that promote moral values and social development.
As part of activities marking his birthday celebration, Chief Okafor and his wife, Lady Dr Chisom Udo Eze Okafor, will host family members, friends, and dignitaries at their residence in Owerri, for a thanksgiving service, Imo State, birthday celebration, and house warming ceremony. The event will feature prayers and blessings from prominent Catholic leaders including the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri.
For many who know him, Chief Barrister Ezekwere Daniel Okafor represents a model of dedication, intellectual excellence, and service to society. His life story continues to inspire young lawyers, scholars, and public servants who aspire to combine professional success with meaningful contributions to national development.
As he marks another year, colleagues, associates, and admirers celebrate not only his birthday but also his enduring commitment to justice, leadership, and the progress of Nigeria.
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