Retired Hon. Justice Hadiza Ali-Jos of the Borno State High Court has been honoured with the maiden Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award at the Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Ikeja Branch,in recognition of her exceptional integrity, courage, and commitment to justice.
Themed “Integrity Deficiency in the Justice Sector: Whither the Legal Profession?,” the flagship intellectual and professional gathering is dedicated to honouring the legacy of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and promoting discourse on justice, accountability, and the rule of law. The lecture was held on Thursday, 15 January 2026, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja,Lagos.
This award, instituted in memory of the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), was presented to Hon. Justice Ali-Jos in acknowledgement of her distinguished judicial career, marked by fairness, independence, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Presenting the award, the organisers described Hon. Justice Ali-Jos (Rtd) as a jurist whose professional life exemplified the core values of honesty, accountability, and service to society, ideals which the award seeks to promote.
The Lagos event was attended by senior advocates of Nigeria, civil society leaders, and other stakeholders, who commended the choice of Justice Hadiza Ali-Jos as the pioneer recipient of the prestigious award.
Recipient of the Maiden Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Prize (2026)
Hon. Justice Hadiza Hamisu Ali-Jos. (Rtd.)
Retired Justice Hadiza Hamisu Ali-Jos was born on 2 October, 1955, into the family of late Commissioner of Police, Baba Jimeta and late Hajiya Hauwa. She is from Dikwa Local Government, Borno State. She was married to late AIG Ali-Jos. She has 5 children, 4 ladies all professionals and one male captain serving with Nigerian Army. She earned both diploma in Law and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with honours from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and was called to the Bar in 1984.
She began her legal career with the Ministry of Justice in Maiduguri, Borno State, quickly rising through roles such as state counsel, senior state counsel and senior legal draftsman. She later served in various capacities within the judiciary, including as a Magistrate Grade 1 up to Chief Magistrate, working in the judicial system across several Nigerian states.
In 2003, she became Chief Registrar at the Sharia Court of Appeal, Jos, with distinction before being appointed a high court judge in Borno State in 2012, a position she held until her retirement in October 2020.
Justice Ali Jos earned national acclaim for her unwavering integrity, especially during her chairmanship of the election petition tribunal. She famously rejected and returned the sum of $193,700 offered as a bribe to influence her judgment, a bold act that symbolized her commitment to justice and ethical conduct.
She attended so many administrative courses, seminars, and conferences within Nigeria and abroad.
