Adama Lamikanra

Adama Iye Iyayi Lamikanra is a Nigerian judge who served as the 8th Chief Judge of Rivers State from 2016 to 2021. She was the first non-indigene of Rivers State to hold the position since the first Chief Judge, Michael Holden, a South African appointed in 1970.

Early life and career

Lamikanra is a native of Agbede in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. She was born into a Muslim family and grew up in various states across Nigeria where her father, a public servant with the Federal Ministry of Labour, was posted.

She joined the Rivers State Judiciary as a Magistrate, becoming one of only three people in the history of the state to be appointed to the lower bench as a Magistrate and retire as Chief Judge. She served the Rivers State Judiciary for 35 years in total.

Chief Judgeship

On 15 January 2016, Lamikanra was sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Rivers State to replace Justice Daisy W. Okocha, who retired on the same day. On 8 March 2016, following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor Nyesom Wike swore her in as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State.

Her appointment was significant as she was a non-indigene of Rivers State. Governor Wike noted that she had been appointed Magistrate and Judge in the state without questions being raised about her state of origin, and that her appointment was in keeping with laid-down precedents and traditions.

During her tenure as Chief Judge, Lamikanra championed the digitalisation of the Rivers State judiciary through the Rivers State Court Management Information System (RIVCOMIS), which enabled lawyers, registrars, judges and magistrates to access case files electronically, improving the speed of justice delivery in the state.

She retired from office in May 2021 and was succeeded by Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi as the 9th Chief Judge of Rivers State.

Personal life

Lamikanra is married to Oladejo Oluseyi Lamikanra, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). They have four children.