We celebrate The Hon. Justice Elizabeth Oluwatosin Osinuga, FCIArb, MICMC, MCIArb (UK), one of the models and truly exceptional women, on her 65th birthday, who embodies a unique dual role of wisdom in the courtroom and compassion from the pulpit. Justice Osinuga’s commitment to justice and her devotion to serving others through both spiritual guidance and legal counsel are not just an inspiration to us all but describe her consistent lifestyle, her uncompromising convictions, and her clear vision that drives her.

To our beloved judge and priest on her 65th birthday, her lifestyle reminds us that we cannot separate a leader’s words and walk. Justice Osinuga demonstrates profound strength in upholding the law and an equally deep well of grace in her spiritual work.

Justice Osinuga’s milestone birthday is not just a celebration of her multifaceted life but also a tribute to a woman of integrity. Integrity means “oneness,” the quality of purity and consistency. When we speak of the integrity of Law and Scripture, we mean that it delivers and proclaims one consistent message. This word describes Justice Osinuga, a woman who is both a judge and a priest. We acknowledge her unique blend of wisdom, compassion, and justice, celebrating her leadership in both the legal and spiritual realms while recognising her profound spiritual and judicial service, strength, and grace in her decades of dedication. Her years of dedication as both a judge and a priest continue to guide so many with her wisdom, integrity, and unwavering faith. 

Justice Osinuga was born on 16th September 1960 to the devoted Christian family of LATE PA SAMUEL O.  OLABODE AND LATE MAMA AGNESS A OLABODE. Justice Osinuga attended Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin, 1973-1978; School of Basic Studies (Advanced Level), Kano, 1980. She studied at the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, for her LLB (Law) and graduated in 1984. She attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos for her call to the bar as a Barrister at Law (B.L.) in 1985. She was ordained as a Pastor at Change Chapel International, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 2016. In 2018, she started her ministerial training as a Methodist minister at the Methodist Theological Institute (MTI), Sagamu. She graduated with a Master’s in Divinity in 2022 and was ordained as a deaconess the same year. In 2023, Justice Osinuga was ordained as a Priest in the Methodist Church Nigeria. Justice Osinuga went on a Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2009. Justice Osinuga is happily married to Prince Ebenezer Adedayo Osinuga, JP, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.

For her professional courses and certificates, Justice Osinuga attended the BPP. Law School, Holborn, London – Civil Litigation (Certificated), 2003; BPP. Law School Holborn, London – Professional Ethics (Certificated) – 2004; BPP. Law School Holborn, London – Accounting (Certificated) – 2005.

Justice Osinuga started her career progression and legal practice during her one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in Lagos, as a Counsel at P. A. Obagidi & Co from 1985-1986. She worked at Shola Ojo & Co. in Kano State between 1987 and 1988. She was appointed and worked as a Magistrate Grade 1 in Kano State Judiciary from 1989 to 1990. She was promoted as a Senior Magistrate, Ogun State, in 1990. She became a Chief Magistrate, Ogun State in 1997; Chief Registrar, Ogun State from 2005 until 2006 when she was promoted as a High Court Judge, Ogun State.   

Justice Osinuga belong to numerous professional groups, namely: Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Fellow Taidob College; Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (UK); Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators; Member, National Association of Women Judges, (NAWJN); Member, International Association of Women Judges, (IAWJ); Member, Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association; Life Member, International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA); Inaugural Chairperson FIDA, Ogun State.

Among her quasi–judicial experiences are Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the Attack on the Life and Palace of the Oba of Ado & Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo (2012); Member of the Election Petition Tribunal, Imo State (2011); and Member of the Election Petition Tribunal, Katsina State (1998).

Justice Osinuga attended various professional conferences, seminars, and workshops, both at home and abroad. Among them are: Biennial Conference of National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) – May 2023; All Nigerian Biennial Judges Conference, FCT Abuja – Nov 2017; International Bar Association Annual Conference Vienna Austria – July 2015; ADR Workshop- Dubai United Arab Emirates – July 2011; Conference-Marital Law –London, United Kingdom – July 2003; Judicial Administrative Workshop for Heads of Administration & Finance FCT Abuja – April 2001; National Conference of Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria Owerri, Imo State – Nov. 2000; Judicial Workshop for Magistrates & Customary Court Judges – FCT Abuja – June 1991 & 1996.

Justice Osinuga is a recipient of many awards and recognitions, including: AWARD OF EXCELLENCE – Town Planners (Ogun State) – 2023; PEACE MAKER OF THE YEAR, LEGEND IN LAW – FMC Ogun State – 2022; PATRON’S AWARD – By Stand Up For Women Society – 2021; MERIT AWARD by Nigerian Union of Women Journalist, Ogun State Nigeria – 2019; Life Patron – Nigerian Union of Women Journalist, Ogun State Nigeria – 2019; SUZANA WESLEY WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE AWARD – 2016; MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD – FIDA NIG – 2014; GOLD AWARD, AFRICAN WOMEN NATION BUILDER  – 2006; MERIT AWARD, THE DISTINGUISHED NIGERIAN WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE – 2006.

In response to her divine call beyond the courtroom and pulpit, Justice Osinuga has published some books and mini books. Among them are:This Is Your Century, Second Edition – 2023; This is your Century – 2018; The Family-Making It Work – 2015; and Gap in The Marriage-Close It – 2015. The mini-books are Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls – Digital – 2023; Marriage Divorce & Remarriage – 2022; Challenges Faced by Christians at the Government & Law Gates – 2022; and Understanding God’s Specific Will in Choosing a Life Partner – 2019.

In pursuance of her service to God and humanity and beyond her hobbies of reading and singing, Justice Osinuga belong to some Non-Governmental Organisations and Societies, namely: President – Singles & Family Foundation; Member- Dorcas Union – FMC Ogbe, Abeokuta; Member – Christian Companion – FMC Ogbe, Abeokuta; Patron – Boys & Girls’ Brigade, FMC Ogbe Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Justice Osinuga’s 65th birthday is a celebration of wisdom, integrity in the courtroom, and compassion from the pulpit, teaching us about a consistent lifestyle, uncompromising convictions shaped by a clear vision and fear of God. Justice Osinuga exemplifies the ideals and standards of a fearless jurist. She models personal discipline and adherence to high standards of behaviour from all who appear before her in court. Her good sense of humour is well-known in our Courts and in the church. The light of her laughter, along with her smile, would light up the room or the congregation. She is always polite to counsel, even to those with whom she strongly disagrees. Justice Osinuga is always willing to share her knowledge and provide mentorship and advice to anyone willing to learn.

Our prayer for Justice Osinuga on her 65th birthday is that God will fill her years with peace like a river. Her heart to be steady like a shepherd’s call and her hands forever lifted in service and grace. I ask God to reward her abundantly and fill her life with the same light she so generously brings to others.