Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike: A Trailblazer’s journey to the bench

News360 Nigeria archives in this post, the profile and achievements of Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike.

Eberechi Suzzette Wike is a legal expert who has been sworn in as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

She was the First Lady of Rivers State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, and she is married to former governor Ezenwo Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Background

Eberechi Wike was born in Odiokwu,  Ahoada West, Rivers State on May 24th 1972 and given the name Eberechi Suzzette Obuzor.

She was raised in a Christian home by Dr. and Mrs. Ikechukwu Obuzor.

Education

She graduated with an LL.B. (Hons.) from Rivers State University of Science and Technology in 1996.

After graduating, she successfully enrolled in law school. In 1997, she earned the degree of Barrister-at-Law (B.L.).

She eventually started practicing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after being admitted to the Nigerian bar a year later.

Wike is the UK’s recipient of the Chevening Scholarship. She also graduated from the University of Sussex with a master’s degree in law (LL.M.).

Among other organizations, she has participated in leadership programs, workshops, and conferences hosted by the Lagos Business School (LBS) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

Career

His Lordship worked as a Legal Counsel (Litigation) for E. C. Ukala & Co. (Efe Chambers) from 1998 to 2001.

In 2006, she attended court proceedings at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in Amsterdam as part of a field trip arranged by LL.M. students from the University of Sussex in the UK.

Justice Eberechi progressed through the ranks after being appointed to the Rivers State Magistracy, holding the position of Magistrate Grade I for more than ten years.

In 2009, she was appointed Chief Magistrate Grade II, and on February 14, 2012, she was named a judge of the Rivers State High Court.

In honor of her exceptional dedication to the legal field, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, swore in His Lordship Eberechi Susette Wike and twenty-one other Justices to the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

Private life

She is a devout Christian who is married to Ezenwo Wike, a former governor of Rivers State who is currently the Federal Capital Territory’s minister. The couple has three children together.

She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and listening to both classic and contemporary music. She also plays lawn tennis and swims to stay in shape.

Professional bodies

She is a member of the National and International Association of Women Judges, the International Federation of Women Lawyers Rivers State Branch, and the International Bar Association.

Other affiliations include the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliator, and the Nigerian Rivers State Magistrates’ Association.