Hon. Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, PJCA

Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal (Ibadan Division) • Grand Patron, HURRAFORUM

The Hon. Sir Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria (Ibadan Division), is the Grand Patron of Human Rights Research & Advocacy Forum (HURRAFORUM). He is a distinguished Service Star of Rivers State, Knight of St. Christopher, and one of a set of twins born on 15 May 1965. His twin brother, Sir Professor Owunari Georgewill MD, JP, is the current and 9th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom).

His lordship completed his primary (1970–1976) and secondary school education (1976–1981) in Rivers State, proceeded to obtain his LLB (Hons.) from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (1984–1988), and later his BL (Hons.) from the Nigeria Law School (1988–1989). He was called to the Nigerian Bar on 13 December 1989.

Since graduation, he has attended numerous courses, conferences, and international workshops. He practiced extensively in Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Rivers States, later becoming Managing Solicitor of B.A. Georgewill & Associates in Port Harcourt.

On 22 April 2002, he was elevated to the High Court Bench in Rivers State at age 36. In 2004, he was voted “Best Judge in the Rivers State Judiciary” by the NBA Port Harcourt Branch.

Between 2005–2013 he served in several key judicial, administrative, and ecclesiastical roles, including:

• Deputy President, Scout Movement of Nigeria (Rivers State Command) • National Patron, Association of Drama Ministers in Nigeria • Chairman, Judicial Commissions of Inquiry (Ogoni crisis, Rivers State House of Assembly crisis) • Knight of St. Christopher, Anglican Communion • Recipient of several national merit awards

On 23 March 2014, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. He has served on international and national panels, including the World University Moot Court (Glasgow), West African University Moot (UNILAG), Presidential Investigation Panel on Human Rights Compliance (Nigeria, 2017), and the Sierra Leone Presidential Commission of Inquiry (2018).

In 2021, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of South Gate University, Namibia. He also chairs the Church of Nigeria ADR Task-Force and the Board of Trustees of the UNN Alumni Association.

His lordship has been nominated twice (2019–2023) for elevation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is the author of the influential book “The Right to a Good Name” and co-subject of the biography “Twinkle Stars: Odyssey of Hon. Sir Justice Biobele and Prof. Sir Owunari Georgewill.”

He funds scholarships for indigent students of the University of Port Harcourt and supports award schemes across faculties. His lordship has over 50 published works and has received numerous commendations from the National Judicial Council.

He is happily married to Dame Funmilayo Stella Biobele Georgewill, PhD, and blessed with four daughters, a foster son, two sons-in-law, and grandchildren. His philosophy: “Godly contentment is great gain.”