Ogwu James Onoja


Ogwu Onoja is a legal practitioner and notary public with the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Onoja has authored several publications on legal and social subjects in Nigeria, including The Supreme Court Rules: Practice and Procedure and The Court of Appeal Rules: Practice and Procedure, both published in 2010; and the Federal High Court Rules: Practice and Procedure, volumes 1 and 2, published in 2012.

Birth and education

Onoja was born in Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria, to Job Idoko Onoja and Mary Omada Onoja. Onoja graduated from Ofante High School in 1985 and then went to the School of Basic Studies in Makurdi where he obtained an Advanced Level Certificate in 1987. He studied at University of Jos from 1987 to 1990 where he earned his Bachelor of Laws LLB, attended Nigerian Law School for his Barrister at Laws to practice law in Nigeria, and did his compulsory National Youth Service Corps at Nkwere Local Government Council in the old Imo State of Nigeria between 1991 and 1992. From 1996 to 1997, he was at the University of Lagos where he obtained a Masters at laws degree. He obtained his postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar in 2001 and his masters of Business Administration from the University of Calabar in 2002.

Legal career

In 1992 Onoja started his legal career with the firm of Humphrey Abah & Co before he set up his first private practice, Onoja Consulting Solicitors, in 1994. From 1997 to 2000, he was with the Law Firm of T.J. Okpoko Onomigbo & Co as counsel. In 2000, Onoja started his law firm, O.J. Onoja & Associates, where he was the principal solicitor until 12 July 2012 when he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The firm has offices in Lagos and Abuja.

Personal life

Onoja is married to Rosemary Onoja and has five children.
On 2 November 2009, Aliyu Obaje invested Onoja with the traditional Beaded Title of Agenyi-Attah of Igala Kingdom meaning "Attah Igala’s confidant".