The People Behind
the Mission.
A dedicated, interdisciplinary team of lawyers, journalists, and policy analysts working at the crossroads of Law, Media, and Social Accountability.
Bernard D. Oke, Esq.
Executive Director / Legal and Communications Strategist
Crusader for penal reform and the rights of defendants.
Bernard is a crusader for penal reform and the rights of defendants. He is a practising lawyer with training as a journalist as well as a versatile multimedia expert. He coordinates EJI’s Pro Bono Services and Trial Watch programs, and is responsible for training media volunteers on technical media skills, monitoring courtroom procedures, and human rights standards.
He is a Nigerian legal practitioner and human rights advocate with a Second Class Upper Division LL.B from Kogi State University and was called to the Bar in 2025. His professional experience spans law, media, and development. During his NYSC with HumAngle Media in Abuja, he worked as a humanitarian and conflict reporter, producing research-driven stories that translated complex justice and governance issues into accessible narratives.
He further developed his legal expertise at Kenna Partners, where he supported litigation through legal research, case preparation, and drafting. Through his volunteer work with Hope Behind Bars Africa and The Liberalist Centre, he has engaged directly with grassroots justice challenges, contributing to case reviews, legal support, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals. He brings strong competencies in legal analysis, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and communication, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing access to justice, accountability, and social impact across Nigeria and the African continent.
Bernard’s fieldwork ensures that EJI’s presence is felt directly in the courts, in the media, and in detention centers across Nigeria.
Stephanie O. Tokode, Esq.
Co-Founder / Director — Policy, Research & Law Reform
Lawyer, policy analyst, and business intelligence professional.
Stephanie Oluwapamilerin Tokode is a lawyer, policy analyst, and business intelligence professional dedicated to advancing equitable access to justice through evidence-based policy reform and strategic legal research. As Co-Founder/Director of Policy, Research & Law Reform at the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), she leads the organization’s efforts in developing transformative policy frameworks, conducting in-depth legal analysis, and advocating for systemic law reform that serves marginalized and underserved communities.
With an LL.B. from Kogi State University, a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School, and an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Stephanie brings a unique interdisciplinary approach that bridges law, governance, and strategic management. Her expertise spans legal research, policy development, contract evaluation, business intelligence/development, and dispute resolution.
Before co-founding EJI, Stephanie served as Team Lead, Policy & Research Specialist at 6th Element Analytics & Research Ltd., where she played a pivotal role in developing the copyrighted Four-Pronged Outcomes Matrix Approach (FOMA)© — a pioneering framework for policy design and good governance delivery. She has led training programs for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), influenced legislative agendas through high-level policy analysis, and managed complex research projects spanning academia, government, and the private sector.
Her experience also includes serving as Head of Business Intelligence & Strategy at Open Space Financial Services Ltd. and Business Intelligence Specialist at Credlanche Ltd., where she contributed to the development of innovative financial products, market expansion strategies, and investor engagement. These roles honed her ability to apply data-driven insights to policy formulation and institutional development.
Stephanie is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliators (ICMC), the International Law Association (ILA), and a CMD Certified Management Training Consultant. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Amnesty International.
Her research interests include human rights protection, police accountability, civilian protection in armed conflict, policy development, and the intersection of governance and sustainable development. She is deeply committed to good governance, conflict resolution, social justice, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lydia A. Isenewa, Esq.
Director — Gender, Legal Advocacy & Public Enlightenment
Vibrant legal practitioner with a strong zeal for excellence.
Lydia is a young, vibrant and highly motivated legal practitioner with a strong zeal for excellence in the legal profession. She possesses keen interest in Litigation, Corporate legal practice, Family Law, Property Law, Medical Law, Labour and Fashion law. She leads Gender, Legal Advocacy & Public Enlightenment, overseeing the production and accessibility of our works with grassroots communities and the public.
Lydia is a graduate of Kogi State University, where she obtained her law degree before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus, where she distinguished herself academically and completed her vocational training in flying colours before being called to the Nigerian Bar. She is also a strong member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), an organization that fights for the rights of women and children.
She is committed to delivering efficient, professional, and solution-driven legal services while upholding the highest standard of integrity and professionalism in legal practice. Her dedication to public sensitization, attention to detail, and strong advocacy skills position her as a dependable and resourceful member of this organization.