The saying that a gold fish has no hiding place holds very true for Justice Olubunmi Oyewole. Whenever he happens to be the subject of discussion in legal circles, positive things are always said about him.
No wonder he has been nominated to the Court of Appeal by the National Judicial Council (NJC), even though there are many who have spent more years at the Bench than him.
One of Justice Oyewole’s favourite sayings when addressing lawyers in court is: "Counsel, I fear only God!"
He has the singular reputation of being very brilliant. He is known as a no-nonsense, intelligent, hardworking, courageous and incorruptible judge who handles his cases with efficiency and dispatch.
A graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Osun indigene has handle more high profile criminal cases than most judges. That such cases are usually assigned to him make a statement as to his resourcefulness.
Before his appointment to the Bench on May 24, 2001, he was into private legal practice,where he distinguished himself as a fearless advocate. His being appointed from private practice to the Bench makes a statement in itself as to what he represents.
Those who knew him as a student at OAU said he was vocal, focused,and once ran for the student union executive.
He was a member of the Students Representatives Council (SRC). At some point, he was a mobilisation officer for the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Justice Oyewole spearheaded boycott of classes when the Buhari-Idiagbon military administration attempted to commercialise education.
Some of the cases he has handled as a criminal trial judge include the conviction of the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (a.k.a Rev. King) for murder. He sentenced him to death by hanging.
Justice Oyewole also adjudicated the case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Emmanuel Nwude in which a Brazilian bank was defrauded of $254. He found Nwude guilty and ordered the forfeiture of his fraudulently acquired wealth.
The case of attempted murder of the Publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, preferred against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha was also before him at some point, including the trial of Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former Chief of Army Staff.
Justice Oyewole handled the drug case involving Nollywood actress, Hassanat Akinwande (a.k.a Wunmi), who was found guilty of illegal drug trafficking.
He also handled the case of advance fee fraud (419) involving a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Fred Ajudua.
He sentenced an Islamic cleric, Rasheed Yusuf and his accomplices to 120 years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretence. He also ordered them to return over $130million to the victim.
Proceedings in his court are always spiced with humour, as he will always crack jokes with lawyers.
He also has a good rapport with journalists, as he is one of the few judges who would welcome them in his chambers and chat with them, but without compromising standards.
Justice Oyewole comes to lawyers’ rescue when they run into trouble.
Outside the courtroom, he is known to be very friendly and humane, yet firm.
