<h4>Profile Of Edo State Attorney General And Commissioner For Justice</h4>
<h4></h4>
<p><strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">OpenLife Nigeria</a></strong> reports that a new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has been appointed by the Edo State government.</p>
<p>His name is Professor Roland Otaru. He hails from Ikpeshi, Akoko Local Government Area, Edo born.</p>
<p>The legal practitioner is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.</p>
<p><strong>Degrees</strong></p>
<p>Professor Roland Itoyan Otaru has the following degrees: SAN, Ph.D, LL.B (Hons), B.L, LL.M, M.L.L.R, FCIArb, FCMR, FCIA, FNILA, GCOP</p>
<p><strong>In the beginning</strong></p>
<p>On the 15th of April, 1959, in the land blessed with abundant mineral resources, Ikpeshi, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, a prophecy was fulfilled. Years earlier, the General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, had told his late father that he would give birth to a lawyer.</p>
<p>True to that divine utterance, a son was born and fittingly named “Lawyer.” That son grew to become Prof. Roland Itoyan Otaru, a man whose life has been marked by destiny, diligence, and distinction.</p>
<p><strong>Early Life and Education</strong></p>
<p>Roland began his academic journey in 1964 at St. Vincent’s Primary School, Ikpeshi—today known as Okhueromoh Primary School, Ikpeshi—where he studied until 1970.</p>
<p>He proceeded to Ikpomaza Grammar School, Okpella, between 1971 and 1975, unprecedentedly, he secured his General Certificate of Education (GCE)—Advanced Level, passing with flying colors in 1977.</p>
<p>In 1982, he entered the University of Benin, Edo State, where he bagged his LL.B (Hons.) in 1985. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where he earned his Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) in 1986.</p>
<p>On October 16, 1986, the prophecy was fully realized as he was formally called to the Nigerian Bar.</p>
<p>Between 1986 and 1987, he served his country through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ilorin, Kwara State.</p>
<p>But his thirst for knowledge did not stop there.</p>
<p>In 2001, he obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Ife.</p>
<p>In 2002, a Master in Industrial and Labour Relations (M.I.L.R.) from the University of Ilorin.</p>
<p>In 2006, he studied Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and attended the Institute of Capital Market Registrars.</p>
<p>In 2009, he completed training at the Daystar Leadership Academy.</p>
<p>And in 2022, he reached another academic peak with a Ph.D. in Law from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.</p>
<p>His intellectual pursuits also took him across the globe:</p>
<p>He attended a seminar on Award Writing in Arbitration at Harvard University, USA (2012).</p>
<p>A Seminar on Public &; Private Finance at Oxford University, UK (2013).</p>
<p>A Seminar on Forensic Examination of Ballot Papers at Elections at Cambridge University, UK (2013).</p>
<p><strong>Working Experience</strong></p>
<p>Before his legal career fully blossomed, Prof. Otaru began as a teacher. He taught at Ekpese College, Lampese, Edo State (1978–1980), and at Ikpeshi Grammar School (1980–1982), where he also served as Boarding House Master.</p>
<p><strong>His legal practice spans decades:</strong></p>
<p>NYSC Placement at David Babalola &; Co., Ilorin (1986–1987).</p>
<p>Associate at Wole Olanipekun &; Co., Ilorin (1987–1993).</p>
<p>Founding Partner, Otaru Otaru &; Co., Ilorin (1993–2002).</p>
<p>Partner at Awomolo Otaru &; Co., Ilorin (2003–2007).</p>
<p>Principal Partner, Otaru Otaru &; Co., Ilorin (2007–date).</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Service</strong></p>
<p>Prof. Otaru’s leadership journey began early.</p>
<p>As a youth, he served as Vice President of the Ikpeshi Students Progressive Union (1976–1977).</p>
<p>Later, he became Legal Adviser to Zaiki-In-Council Ikpeshi–Egbigere Clan (1991–2011), and Legal Adviser to Edo Forum, Ilorin (1999–2004).</p>
<p>He was Secretary-General of the NBA, Ilorin Branch (1999–2002), as well as Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee in the same branch.</p>
<p>Between 1992 and 1993, he served on the NBA Welfare Committee in Ilorin.</p>
<p>Since 2000, he has been Patron of the Human Rights Chambers, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.</p>
<p>He is also a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), the Institute of Capital Market Registrars, and the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch.</p>
<p><strong>Professional Distinctions</strong></p>
<p>In 2006, his career reached a defining peak when he was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) — making him the first SAN from Edo North, and the fourth SAN produced by the University of Benin.</p>
<p>In December 2024, his remarkable contributions to practice and academia were honored when he was appointed Professor of Practice in Law at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.</p>
<p><strong>His professional fellowships include:</strong></p>
<p>Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).</p>
<p>Fellow, Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrars (FCMR).</p>
<p>Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration (FCAI).</p>
<p>Fellow, Nigeria Immigration Lawyers Association (FNILA).</p>
<p><strong>Faith, Family, and Personality</strong></p>
<p>At the heart of his success lies his faith and family. A devout Christian, he serves as an Elder of ECWA Church, Fate/Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State.</p>
<h4>The Edo State Attorney General ands happily married to Dr. Comfort Olushola Roland Otaru, and they are blessed with wonderful children.</h4>
<p>Away from the courtroom, he enjoys music, travelling, golf, and community welfare. He is a member of the Ikoyi Golf Club 1938, Lagos, the Ikeja Golf Club, member, Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos and an Honorary Member of Etsako Club 81, Lagos.</p>
<p><strong>Legacy and Inspiration</strong></p>
<p>Through countless lectures, publications, seminars, and papers, Prof. Otaru has inspired generations — speaking on democracy, arbitration, electoral reforms, and human rights at institutions and international platforms across Nigeria, South Africa, Dubai, Italy, the UK, and the USA.</p>
<p>Decorated with numerous awards, recognitions, and fellowships, he stands as a symbol of excellence, resilience, and destiny fulfilled.</p>
<p>On April 25, 2025, the United Nations International Peace Governance (UNIPG) conferred in him, Grand Commander Of Peace, (GCOP).</p>
<p>Prof. Roland Itoyan Otaru, SAN, PhD is celebrated not just as a foremost legal luminary, but as a teacher, mentor, reformer, elder statesman, and patriot — a man whose life was foretold, and whose journey continues to inspire.</p>
<p>From prophecy to reality, from Lawyer by name to Senior Advocate by destiny — Prof. Roland Otaru remains a living testimony that <strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">God never fails</a></strong>.</p>

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