Justice, Lived.
Not Just Argued.
Africa’s premier civic hub at the crossroads of Law, Media, and Social Accountability.
The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a registered Non-Governmental Organisation based in Nigeria, operating at the forefront of justice reform, advocacy, and social accountability to advance the Rule of Law. As Africa’s premier non-governmental civic hub, we sit at the crossroads of Law, Media, and Social Accountability.
We believe justice is not just a concept to be argued in courtrooms, but a reality to be lived in communities. So we deploy journalism to expose injustice, media platforms to amplify marginalised voices, and legal expertise to secure remedies — transforming abstract legal rights into tangible realities for the most vulnerable.
Our Vision
To create an inclusive and equitable society where every voice is heard and justice is accessible to all without barriers.
Our Mission
To leverage the symbiotic power of Law, Media, and Social Accountability to drive social change, protect fundamental rights, promote justice, and expand access to legal services for underserved communities.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide our legal representation, journalism, and advocacy.
Accountability
We hold power to account through rigorous investigative reporting and trial monitoring.
Innovation
As a civic tech hub, we continuously seek digital solutions to bridge the justice gap.
Courage
We fearlessly pursue truth and justice, even in the face of adversity.
Empathy
We approach every case and story with the understanding that behind every file is a human life.
Integrity
We adhere to the highest ethical standards in legal practice and journalism.
Meet the Team
An interdisciplinary team of lawyers, journalists, and policy analysts driving EJI’s work.
Bernard D. Oke, Esq.
Executive Director / Legal and Communications Strategist
Bernard D. Oke, Esq.
Executive Director / Legal and Communications Strategist
Practising lawyer, trained journalist, and multimedia expert who coordinates EJI’s Pro Bono Services and Trial Watch programs. Called to the Bar in 2025, his fieldwork keeps EJI present in the courts, the media, and detention centers.
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Stephanie O. Tokode, Esq.
Co-Founder / Director — Policy, Research & Law Reform
Stephanie O. Tokode, Esq.
Co-Founder / Director — Policy, Research & Law Reform
Co-Founder leading EJI’s policy, research, and law reform. With an LL.B., B.L., and MBA, she bridges law, governance, and strategic management to advance evidence-based reform for underserved communities.
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Lydia A. Isenewa, Esq.
Director — Gender, Legal Advocacy & Public Enlightenment
Lydia A. Isenewa, Esq.
Director — Gender, Legal Advocacy & Public Enlightenment
Leads Gender, Legal Advocacy & Public Enlightenment. A FIDA member with interests spanning litigation, family, property, and corporate law, she is devoted to public sensitization and the rights of women and children.
View full profileOur Key Focus Points
The strategic pillars through which we operationalise our mission.
Gender Equality
Protecting women and children from abuse, harmful practices, and neglect. Through solution-based advocacy and media campaigns, we drive enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act and fight gender-based violence.
Trial Watch
Monitoring court proceedings and reporting our findings to ensure transparency and fairness — stepping in for suspects arraigned without counsel, deterring judicial corruption, and keeping the system accountable.
Documentaries
Harnessing the power of visual storytelling to document human rights violations — evidence of injustice that doubles as a powerful tool for advocacy and public education.
Pro Bono Services
Bridging the representation gap by connecting volunteer lawyers with indigent defendants and victims of rights violations, ensuring justice is never a commodity for the rich.
Investigative Reporting
Using data and field investigation to uncover systemic corruption, human rights abuses, and environmental injustices — publishing our findings to drive policy reform.
Behind the Bars
A platform for incarcerated persons and ex-offenders to share their lived experiences in their own voices — challenging stigma and fostering conversations on reintegration and human dignity.