The chairman Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, is celebrating one of the foremost Bar leaders, Chief Anthony Okoye Mogboh, SAN who clocked 84 today.

In his birthday message, Chief Ngige joined numerous friends, colleagues, Bar leaders and well-wishers in rejoicing with Chief Mogboh, SAN on the occasion of his 84th birthday. Eulogizing the celebrant Chief Ngige stated:

“ Chief Mogboh is a colossus in the legal profession who has contributed immensely to the development of the legal profession. He’s a first-class advocate and a consummate Barman.

“His law firm has produced many legal luminaries many of whom are now Justices of Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and judges of various High Courts.

“He has also mentored and nurtured many legal practitioners who are now Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Benchers and leaders at the Bar.

“I recall with nostalgia, my first contact with Chief Mogboh in 1983during our university days at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

“As student members of National Party of Nigeria ( NPN) myself and Chief Chike Maduekwe assisted Chief Mogboh who was then the DG of CC Onoh Campaign Committee in winning the 1983 governorship election of old Anambra State.

“It was then that I found Chief Mogboh as an amiable, caring, generous, compassionate and easy-going gentleman. He’s a many of the people with a heart of gold. Recently he singlehandedly built a law faculty building the upcoming Spiritan University at Nneochi in Imo State.

“For myself and on behalf of my family I wish Chief Mogboh a very happy birthday, many happier returns, good health and peace of mind .”

Chief Anthony Okoye Mogboh, SAN, was called to the Bar at Lincolns Inn on 6th February 1962.

He attended his primary education at St. Mary’s school, Port-Harcourt; his secondary education was at Bishop Shanahan College, Owerri and his University education at London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London).

He also attended The Hague Academy of International Law. He has been inactive service in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from 1962-2021.

He was the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice 1983, old Anambra State during the tenure of Chief CC Onoh as Governor.

He had earlier held the post of Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban development between 1974-1975 in the former East Central State during the regime of Dr Anthony Ukpabi Asika as Administrator.

Chief Mogboh was a member of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution Drafting Committee during the regime of Gen Abdul Salam Abubakar.

He was also a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC) for four (4) years. He served as a member of the University of Ibadan Governing Council.

He’s currently the Chancellor of the Spiritan University Nneochi, Umunneochi, Abia State.

Mogboh, SAN, was a Member of the Law Reporting Committee for East Central State 1974-1977, Member, Magistrates’ Courts Rules Committee 1972-1976, Member of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan 1983, Legal Adviser to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu from 1965 till date, Member Chairmen of Chairman reviving the NBA after the 1992 crisis, Member, Constitution Debate Co-ordinating Committee (CDCC) 1998.

He was a Legal Adviser to Emenite Ltd. Since 1995 to date, Legal Adviser to Enugu state University of Science and Technology 1988 to date, Member, Body of Benchers 1987 to date, was a Member, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, 2002 to 2005, Member of the National Judicial Council.

In 2019, a convocation centre was constructed by his Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to be named after him (Chief A.O. Mogboh (SAN). Also, a Law Faculty for Spiritan University Nneochi, built by him, was commissioned and handed over on the 22nd of June, 2021.

He represented the Igbo interest in Oputa Panel. He had also represented the then Governor of Ebonyi State (Now Senator Sam Egwu), two Governors of Enugu State (C.C. Onoh ‘NWOBODO v. ONOH’ & Sullivan Chime), and the Late Governor of Yobe State (Senator Mamman Ali) in Election Petitions.

Mogboh, SAN, attended the following Conferences; Commonwealth Law conferences in Edinburgh Scotland 1977, Hong Kong in 1983, Jamaica in 1987, Auckland New Zealand 1990, World Peace through Law Conference in Sao Paulo-Brazil 1981, International Bar Association Conference in West Berlin in 1988, International Bar Association Conference 2000 in Amsterdam, International Bar Association Conference Durban, South Africa 2002, International Bar Association Conference 2007 in Singapore, International Bar Association Conference in Beunos Saires, Agentina, All NBA Conferences held in Nigeria since 70’s till date.

He is a Member of the National Executive of the Nigeria Bar Association, Member of International Bar Association, Member, Commonwealth Bar Association, Conference with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1987, Awarded Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education 1996.

He was honoured with numerous awards which include; Awarded LLD, Honoris Cause by the Enugu State University of Science & Technology 1994, P & B Services Inc, Fresh Favour Meals – Tacoma Washington – 1981 (Distinguished Honours), Nigeria Bar Association (National) 2003 Leadership Award – Abuja., Nigeria Bar Association, Enugu Branch 1993 – Distinguished Member Award, Nigeria Bar Association, Enugu Branch 1998 – Leadership Award, Nigerian Bar Association Enugu Branch 2005 – Exemplary Contribution Award, International Federation of women Lawyers FIDA – Award for Excellence, Catholic Law Students Association, University of Nigeria – Service to Humanity Award, Enugu Diocesan Catholic women Organization – Major of Enugu Diocese Award,St. Mulumba Parish, New Haven, Enugu 1998, 2001 – Star Award, Rotary Club of Emene 1993/1994 – Vocational Service Award, Rotary Club District 9140 Outstanding Service to Humanity Award, 1995,Eleme Ethic Nationalism 2000 – Contribution to Community/Patriotism Award, Ezeagu Local Government Council 2001 – Outstanding Performance Award, Command Day Secondary School 2006 – Father Exemplary award, African Marketing development Foundation 2006 Contribution to Humanity and Legal Profession Award.

He is married to Dr Vero Mogboh and his marriage is blessed with six (6) children; 5 of whom are lawyers.

ASKLEGALPALACE correspondents joins other well wishers in celebrating the 84th birthday of this legal icon and philanthropist extraordinaire.