Nigerian-born Olugbenga Shoyele and 7 other people have appointed as new judges of the Provincial Courts of Alberta.
According to reports, the appointment is the highest number of judges to be appointed at once in the last two decades.
Olugbenga bagged Bachelor of Law degree in 1980 and Master degree in Laws in 1984, both from the prestigious University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. He earned his PhD in 1995 in Nigeria and later obtained Master Degree in Law in University of Alberta in 2003. He served as a law professor in Nigeria and practised in Edmonton as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. He was appointed to Edmonton Criminal Division.
Lawyers with a minimum of 10 years at the bar can apply to become a Provincial Court of Alberta judge and applications are first considered by the Judicial Council, the Council recommends applicants to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee. Form there, the committee selects candidates, interviews and recommends to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
While congratulating the newly appointed Judges, the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta, Nigerian-born Kaycee Madu said: “I congratulate all these worthy appointees and wish them success in their new roles as judges of the Provincial Court of Alberta. This group of appointees represents the diversity present in Alberta and will help increase access to justice for Albertans.
“These appointments make progress on my commitment to have our justice system reflect Alberta today. Our province will be better served by the elevation of these appointees to the bench, and I thank them for agreeing to serve Alberta.”
