Nigerian-born Olugbenga Shoyele, QC, is one of the eight new judges appointed to the Provincial Courts of Alberta.<\/p>\n
According to report, the appointed is the largest number of judges to be appointed at once in at least the last two decades.<\/p>\n
Olugbenga obtained his bachelor of laws in 1980 and his master of laws in 1984, both from the University of Ife, Nigeria. He earned a doctor of philosophy of laws in 1995 in Nigeria and a master of laws from the University of Alberta in 2003. He worked as a law professor in Nigeria and practised in Edmonton, most recently as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Queen\u2019s Bench. His appointment is to Edmonton Criminal Division.<\/p>\n
Other judges appointed along side Olugbenga are Grace Auger, appointed to Lethbridge\/Southern Region, Gordon Hatch, appointed to Red Deer\/Central Region, starting, Sandra Mah\u00a0 appointed to Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region, Karen Molle, QC, appointed to Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region, Jason Neustaeter, QC,\u00a0 appointed to Wetaskiwin\/Central Region, T. Michael Scrase appointed to Red Deer\/Central Region and Gregory Shannon, QC, appointed to Calgary Civil Division.<\/p>\n
Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a Provincial Court of Alberta judge. Applications are considered first by the Judicial Council, which recommends applicants to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee. The committee then selects candidates, interviews and makes recommendations to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.<\/p>\n
Olugbenga’s appointment takes effect from July 12, 2021.<\/p>\n
Sending goodwill message to the newly appointed judges,\u00a0 the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of\u00a0 Alberta, Nigerian-born Kaycee Madu said; <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI congratulate all these worthy appointees and wish them success in their new roles as judges of the Provincial Court of Alberta. This group of appointees represents the diversity present in Alberta and will help increase access to justice for Albertans.<\/p>\n \u201cThese appointments make progress on my commitment to have our justice system reflect Alberta today. Our province will be better served by the elevation of these appointees to the bench, and I thank them for agreeing to serve Alberta.\u201d<\/p>\n