Justice James Kolawole Omotosho is a Nigerian judge serving at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria. Born on July 21, 1966, in Ajegunle, Lagos State, he hails from Ijemo-Abeokuta in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He pursued his legal education at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, earning a Bachelor of Law (LLB) with a Second Class Lower Division between 1990 and 1996.
He attended the Nigeria Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos, from 1996 to 1997, where he was called to the bar as a Barrister at Law (B.L.). Prior to his legal studies, he obtained a National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Economics and Business Management from Lagos State College of Education, Ijanikin (1987–1990), and completed his secondary education at Randle Secondary School in Apapa, Lagos (1980–1985).
Justice Omotosho has presided over several high-profile cases, gaining attention for his rulings in matters involving political, financial, and terrorism-related disputes.
Notable cases include:
Rivers State Governance Crisis: He has been involved in judicial decisions affecting Rivers State, such as voiding the 2024 Appropriation Bill presentation by Governor Siminalayi Fubara before a four-member legislature and declaring the governor’s actions in violation of a court order to maintain the status quo.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: In March 2025, he was assigned to preside over the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following a reassignment from Justice Binta Nyako.
Financial Crime Cases: He has handled cases like the trial of former Acting Accountant General Anamekwe Nnabuoku for an alleged N1.96 billion fraud and the N80 billion money laundering case involving Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman.
Political Party Disputes: He ruled in a case directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a decision criticized by Chief Edozie Njoku as conflicting with Supreme Court judgments.
His reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State
In that case, Justice Omotosho voided Shaibu’s impeachment, citing the State House of Assembly’s failure to comply with due process. He also awarded costs of ₦400,000 against the Edo State Government and the State Assembly
His rulings have sometimes sparked controversy, with accusations of bias and jurisdictional overreach. For instance, in the Rivers State crisis, critics argued that he and other judges exceeded Federal High Court jurisdiction by interfering in state matters. Additionally, groups like the Benue Coalition for Democracy have called for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate him for alleged impunity, such as delaying the release of certified true copies of judgments. Despite these criticisms, he remains an active figure in Nigeria’s judiciary, handling complex legal disputes as of the current date, March 12, 2025.
Additionally, Justice Omotosho has faced allegations of partisanship and misconduct, particularly in cases related to Rivers State. The Nigerians in the United Kingdom Monitoring Council (NUK-MC) has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate these allegations and take necessary action
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