06/18/2026
THE FIRST WOMAN FROM NNEWI TO ATTAIN THE RANK OF SAN
By Ebubechukwuzuloke Brown
Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor is the first and, so far, the only female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Nnewi. She hails from Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State, and is a distinguished Professor of Property and Commercial Law at Baze University, Abuja.
Prof. Okafor obtained her LL.B degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1974 and was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1979. She subsequently earned her LL.M degree from University College London in 1981 and later obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Lagos in 2000.
She briefly practised law with Lateef Adegbite & Co. Chambers, where she handled litigation, conveyancing, and oil and gas matters. In 1984, she joined Shell Petroleum Development Company before moving to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, where she served as Legal Adviser and Company Secretary.
In that capacity, she interfaced with key national institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on electoral materials, and the Nigeria Immigration Service on passport production.
Prof. Okafor is the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Law, Baze University, Abuja, where she has mentored and trained numerous young lawyers. In August 2023, she was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of Baze University by the Governing Council following the appointment of the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tahir Mamman, as Minister of Education by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2022. Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor is married to an indigene of Enugwu-Ukwu.
