Honourable Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, was born on 13 May 1965. He is a native of Ila-Orangun Local Government Area of Osun State. He is widely respected in Nigeria’s judiciary for his firmness, courage, and commitment to the rule of law. Over the years, he has served at different levels of the Nigerian justice system, handling some of the country’s most notable criminal and political cases.
Joseph Oyewole Profile
| Name | Honourable Justice Joseph Oyewole |
| Real Name | Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole |
| Date of Birth | 13 May 1965 |
| Age | 61 years |
| State of Origin | Osun State |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | High Court Judge |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $800,000 |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Justice Oyewole began his education at AUD Primary School, Ijebu-Ode, between 1971 and 1972. He later attended St Richard’s Primary School, Eleyele, Ibadan, from 1973 to 1976. His secondary education was at St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, where he studied from 1976 to 1981.
He proceeded to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree in 1985. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986.
Career
After being called to the Bar, Justice Oyewole completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme as a Legal Officer at the Public Complaints Commission in Makurdi, Benue State, between 1986 and 1987. He later worked as Counsel in the Chambers of Afolabi Adeniran & Co from 1987 to 1988. In 1988, he established his own law firm, Olubunmi Oyewole & Co, where he served as Principal Counsel until 2001.
On 22 May 2001, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State. He served mainly in the Criminal Division of the Ikeja High Court and became known for handling complex and high-profile criminal matters. On 24 March 2014, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
At the Court of Appeal, Justice Oyewole authored several important judgments, including the unanimous decision affirming Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and nullifying the ₦800 billion 2024 Rivers State budget passed during the political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike.
In 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated him for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Senate later confirmed his appointment following the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
While serving at the High Court of Lagos State, Justice Oyewole handled several landmark cases. In 2005, he convicted and sentenced Emmanuel Nwude, Nzeribe Edeh Okoli, and Amaka Anajemba for defrauding a Brazilian bank of $242 million in a fake airport project, a scam that led to the collapse of Banco Noroeste.
In 2007, he sentenced Pastor Emeka Ezeugo, popularly known as Rev. King, to death by hanging for the murder of Ann Uzoh. The judgment was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
In 2009, he sentenced former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, to 30 months imprisonment over contract splitting and disobedience to lawful orders. Although the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment in 2011, the Supreme Court later overturned it in 2013.
Controversies
Justice Oyewole was involved in a major judicial controversy in 2012 following the retirement of Justice George Olaniyi Ojo as Chief Judge of Osun State. The then Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, nominated Justice Oyewole, who was at the time a serving judge in Lagos State, as the substantive Chief Judge of Osun State.
This decision was strongly opposed by the Osun Judiciary and the National Judicial Council (NJC), which insisted that the position should go to one of the most senior judges in the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo or Justice Gloria Oladoke. The disagreement led to Osun State having no acting or substantive Chief Judge for about ten days. The state government later yielded to the NJC’s position, and Justice Oyewole formally transferred his judicial service from Lagos State to Osun State on 4 December 2012.
Joseph Oyewole Social Media Handle
Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole is not known to maintain any public or official social media accounts, in line with judicial ethics and tradition.
Personal Life
Justice Oyewole is happily married and blessed with children. He maintains a quiet and private family life. One of his children achieved national recognition after being elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in October 2025.
Joseph Oyewole Net Worth
Justice Oyewole’s net worth is estimated to be around $800,000.