Kayode Ajulo carries his law like a calling, not a career. In Akure, where legal bureaucracy normally moves at the pace of humidity, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State has brought something unusual: clarity. His reputation, which is steady, disciplined, and quietly reformist, now defines the ministry’s new rhythm.
Ajulo is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, an Officer of the Order of the Niger, and a scholar of fine legal taste. Yet titles barely contain his reach. He lectures at Adekunle Ajasin University, consults internationally, and serves as Diocesan Registrar for the Anglican Communion. In each role, the same purpose echoes: justice that serves people, not papers.
His rise has been unconventional. In 2011, he was abducted during his senatorial campaign under the Labour Party, a moment that could have hardened him. Instead, it deepened his empathy for the vulnerable. That experience still shapes his work as a pro bono advocate and human rights defender through his NGO, Egalitarian Mission Africa.
Colleagues describe his ministry as “structured with conscience.” He has streamlined case management, encouraged ethical prosecution, and urged judges to see citizens, not just defendants. His leadership signals a shift from routine administration to institutional reform, an uncommon feat in state governance. Ajulo’s mentorship philosophy has become a quiet movement among young lawyers. “If you faithfully follow seven successful lawyers,” he says, “you will become the eighth.” It’s both a proverb and a professional roadmap, a reflection of his belief that justice is sustained by continuity, not charisma.
His influence now travels beyond Ondo. Governments across Africa seek his counsel; students quote his lectures. Yet he remains rooted in service, often choosing substance over spotlight.
In a field crowded with ego, being elegant, firm, and deeply human, Ajulo’s style feels almost old-fashioned. Perhaps that is the real reform: a justice system led by a man who still believes the law can be noble.
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