Kumai Bayang Akaahs

Kumai Bayang Akaahs, OFR (born 12 December 1949) is a Nigerian jurist and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Early life and education

Akaahs was born on 12 December 1949 at Kpak-Kagoro in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria. He began his education at St Joseph's Primary School, Kagoro in January 1956, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in December 1962. He subsequently attended St John Vianney Seminary, Barakin Ladi; St Mary's Secondary School, Fadan Kaje, Zonkwa; and St John's Rimi College, Kaduna, completing his secondary education in 1969.

Akaahs studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from September 1970 to June 1973. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School from October 1974 to June 1975 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 28 June 1975. In 1977, he undertook specialised professional training at University College, Swansea, United Kingdom, on planning services for offenders in the community.

Law career He began his career in 1975, at the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice as State Counsel and rose to the position of a Principal State Counsel in January 1980. On May 6, 1986, he was appointed as Judge of Kaduna State Judiciary. On November 21, 1998, he was appointed to the bench of the Nigerian courts of appeal and in September 2012, he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as Justice. He presided over the ruling of the Supreme Court that affirmed Willie Obiano as the governor elect of Anambra State in the November 16, 17 and 30 governorship election.

Honours

Akaahs was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in July 2020 in recognition of his contributions to the development of law and justice in Nigeria. He is also a recipient of the KDA National Meritorious Award.

Membership Member, Nigerian Bar Association Member, International Bar Association Member, Nigerian Body of Benchers