Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo was born on 15th May 1968 in Benin City, then part of the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria and now the capital of Edo State. He was born to Anthony Council Omirhobo and Fozia Zabadne at Dr. P. M. Edi-Ale Hospital, during the Nigerian Civil War.
His early childhood was characterised by considerable movement, occasioned by the aftermath of the Civil War, family circumstances, and the transfers of his father, who was a police officer, first from Benin to Warri. From Warri to the then East-Central State and subsequently to Lagos.
Early Education
Malcolm began his formal education in 1972 at Uwie Preparatory Day Nursery School, Effurun-Warri.
In 1973, following a change in the family’s circumstances and transfer of his father, he moved to Aba, where he attended Aunty Margaret Montessori Nursery School, No. 1 Club Road, Aba.
In 1974, he returned to Benin City and continued his early education at Ebenezer Preparatory Nursery School.
In 1975, he returned to Warri, where he lived with the Uduehi family and attended Ogbe Primary School, Effurun-Warri.
Between 1976 and 1977, he lived in Lagos and attended Ereko Methodist School, 35 Berkley Street, Lagos Island.
From 1977 to 1978, he attended Oke-Owa United School, Ikoto, Ijebu-Ode, continuing the pattern of mobility that marked his formative years.
Between 1979 and 1980, Malcolm once again lived in Warri with the Uduehi family and resumed his education at Ogbe Primary School, Effurun-Warri.
He subsequently returned to Lagos and continued his primary education at Army Children School, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Secondary Education
Malcolm was a beneficiary of the visionary Universal Free Education Programme of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) implemented in Lagos State under the administration of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
Through the opportunities created by that programme, he gained admission into Holy Saviour’s College, Isolo (School 2), which was subsequently renamed Isolo Grammar School.
He commenced his secondary education there during the 1980/81 academic session and completed it in the 1984/85 session.
Higher School and University Education
From 1985 to 1987, Malcolm attended the Federal School of Arts and Science, Suleja, where he undertook his Advanced Level studies and obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC).
In 1987, he secured admission into Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Abraka Campus where he studied Economics Education. He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, B.Sc. (Ed.), Economics.
Following his graduation, he participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Niger State.
Legal Education and Call to the Nigerian Bar
Driven by a growing passion for justice, constitutionalism and public service, Malcolm subsequently decided to pursue a career in law.
He gained admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he studied Law and obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.
He thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he completed the 1996/1997 academic session. Upon successfully completing the programme and obtaining the Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification, he was duly called to the Nigerian Bar.
Early Legal Career
He undertook his professional internship with distinguished legal luminaries, including Chief Funsho Akinyosoye, SAN, and Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, of Punuka Chambers. He later worked with Michael Igbokwe SAN of Michael Igbokwe & Co., gaining robust experience in litigation and commercial practice.
These formative professional experiences exposed him to diverse areas of legal practice and laid the foundation for what would become a career strongly associated with constitutional law, human rights advocacy and public-interest litigation.
Establishment of His Legal Practice
Motivated by a strong conviction in the rule of law, constitutionalism, human rights and the use of law as an instrument for social justice, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo established his own legal practice, Malcolm Omirhobo & Co.
The practice subsequently evolved into The Chambers of Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, through which he has pursued litigation and advocacy in diverse areas of Nigerian law.
Over the years, the Chambers has become particularly associated with constitutional litigation, human rights enforcement, civil liberties and public-interest advocacy.
Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo’s journey from a childhood marked by frequent movement across different parts of Nigeria, through his education in Warri, Aba, Benin City, Lagos, Ijebu-Ode, Suleja, Abraka and Port Harcourt, and his haven travelled to several states in South and Northern Nigeria to his eventual emergence as a legal practitioner reflects a life shaped by varied experiences and a sustained commitment to education, law and public service.
His professional career has increasingly been defined by his willingness to invoke the judicial process in addressing questions of constitutional governance, the rule of law, fundamental rights, governmental accountability and matters of wider public interest.
Personal Life
Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo is married with Children