Festus Keyamo: Biography, career, activism, politics, net worth, family

Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo FCIArb (SAN) is a human rights advocate, columnist, and lawyer from Nigeria. Festus Keyamo was chosen to lead strategic communications for President Muhammadu Buhari‘s 2019 reelection campaign in April 2018.

Table of Content hide 1Biography 2Career 3Activism 4Politics 5Net worth 6Family 7State of origin 8Controversies 9Conclusion

Biography

Although his father comes from Effurun, Delta State, in Southern Nigeria, he was born on January 21, 1970, in Ughelli. Keyamo attended Model Primary School for his primary education and Government College in Ughelli for his secondary education and earned his West African School Certificate in 1986.

He then went on to Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law in 1992 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993.

Career 

He started his legal career in 1993 at Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers in Lagos State. He stayed at the chambers for two years before leaving to start Festus Keyamo Chambers. 

He served as the principal attorney in the treason trial of Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as well as Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force. Keyamo was also a witness in Bola Ige’s murder.

He sued the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2008 over the improper selection of service chiefs.

Singer and stripper Stephanie Otobo, who is located in Canada, accused Apostle Suleman Johnson in 2017 through her attorney Festus Keyamo of breaking a marital oath to her after reportedly engaging in multiple sexual encounters with her.

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Activism

 He founded Festus Keyamo Chambers in 1995. The chambers have expanded, with offices in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Warri in Delta State, and liaison offices in many states. It now employs over 23 lawyers and more than 30 paralegals. 

Festus Keyamo organised the Youth Against Misguided Youths movement in 1997 to protest the late General Sani Abacha‘s attempt at self-succession.

Festus Keyamo sued the Nigerian government in 2008 over the improper selection of service chiefs. 

He sparked an investigation against Federal House of Representative members in 2009 on claims of wasteful spending and poor money management. 

He served as the defence attorney for Ralph Uwazuruike, the head of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, during their treasonable felony trials.

Politics

Festus Keyamo was nominated as a minister in Buhari’s second term. 

The senate screened him after his nomination. Keyamo served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for the Niger Delta from August 21, 2019, until September 24, 2019, when President Buhari transferred him to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Net worth 

Festus Keyamo is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most successful lawyers. Festus Keyamo reportedly has a net worth of roughly $1.5 million.

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Family 

Festus Keyamo married Isioma Irene Keyamo on May 15, 2004, in Benin City.

Nicole Keyamo and Fes Keyamo Jr. were the children born during the brief six-year marriage.

State of origin 

Festus Keyamo hails from Effurun in Delta State.

Controversies 

Festus Keyamo is one of the divisive members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet. His life has been a story of controversy, both as an activist and a lawyer. Keyamo had always been involved in some sort of controversy, from his early days in the practise of the late, renowned human rights attorney Chief Gani Fawehinmi to the famous trial of the man suspected of murdering the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, up until the time of his tenure as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor. 

The dispute surrounding Charly Boy and his Our Mumu Don Do group took a new turn after Festus Keyamo denied paying him a dime for a politically charged music video.

Conclusion

In July 2017, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), Nigeria, designated Keyamo as one of the top Nigerian attorneys deserving of the rank of SAN. In September 2017, Keyamo and other individuals on the 2017 SAN list were inducted into the higher league of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

Keyamo received the Global Human Rights Award in 2017 from the United States Global Leadership Council in Washington for his long-term work protecting and promoting human rights and advocating for Nigeria’s governments to be held accountable.

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