The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Warri Branch will host a fireside chat with Chief Thompson Joseph Onomigbo Okpoko, OON, FCIArb, SAN, focusing on “Successfully Navigating the Peculiarities of the Legal Profession.” The virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (WAT), with the session opening at 2:45 p.m., and will be held via Zoom.

Chief Okpoko, a highly respected legal luminary from Orerokpe in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, has had a distinguished career spanning over 55 years. Educated at the Roman Catholic School, Adagbrassa, African Church School, Warri, and the Delta Provincial Teachers Training College, he later earned an LL.B (Hons) from Holborn College of Law, University of London (1969), and an LL.M from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1970). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1971.

Founder and principal partner of Thompson Okpoko & Partners, Chief Okpoko has built a reputation as a formidable litigation, corporate, and commercial lawyer. His advocacy has contributed to landmark judgments in areas including letters of credit, estoppel, expert evidence, negligence, criminal law, and land law. He played a key role in advancing the recognition of plea bargaining in Nigerian criminal law and has provided pro bono legal services for underprivileged communities, chieftaincy disputes, and major oil companies.

Chief Okpoko’s leadership roles include serving as NBA Warri Branch Chairman, 18th National President of the NBA (1998–2000), Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Body of Benchers, and Life Member of the same. He also participated in Nigeria’s 1989 Constituent Assembly and the Constitution Debate and Coordinating Committee, which contributed to the 1999 Constitution.

He holds several national and professional honors, including the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria. Chief Okpoko has also served on several national bodies, including the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Refugees Appeals Tribunal, National Judicial Council, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. Locally, he holds the chieftaincy title of “Omolori-Okpe” and is a member of the Okpe Traditional Council.

At his age, Chief Okpoko remains an active practitioner, widely respected for his integrity, thoroughness, and forthrightness in the legal community.

Interested participants can register for the fireside chat via this link.

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