Barr. Joash Amupitan, SAN

Joash Ojo Amupitan is a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Born on 25th day of April 1967 in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State to the family of Late Chief Joseph Benson Amupitan and Madam Alice Ajigba Amupitan, JP. Professor Amupitan attended St. Barnabas Secondary School, Kabba, Kogi State between 1977 and 1982. After his secondary education, he proceeded to Kwara State College of Technology now Kwara State Polytechnic between 1982 and 1984 for his HSC.
Between 1984 and 1987, he attended the University of Jos, Jos Plateau State where he obtained his LL.B. Hons Degree in 1987 emerging as the best graduating student that year and winning all the academic awards in the Faculty of Law including University of Jos Prize for the best Graduating Law Student, 1987, Richard Akinjide’s Prize for the Best Graduating Law Student, 1987, Gally-Brown Peterside Prize for the best Graduating law student, 1987, UniJos Chancellor Prize for the best graduating student, 1987.
After his LL.B (Hons) degree, he attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, Lagos State and obtained the Barrister at Law (BL) degree in 1988 and was consequently called to the Nigeria Bar on 3rd November, 1988. He obtained his Masters of Law degree from the University of Jos in 1993 and Ph.D in Law in 2007. He did the compulsory NYSC primary assignment with Bauchi State Printing and Publishing Corporation in 1988. He was also appointed the Legal Adviser to Bauchi State NYSC during his one year national service. He won the NYSC Director’s Merit award for outstanding performance.
Professor Amupitan joined the services of University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer and became a Professor of Law on 1st October 2008. He has taught in the University for 30 years and has supervised several Ph.D and masters students. In June 2014, he won the Teslim Elias Award for a meritorious service- having taught in a Nigerian University for over 25 years.
In June 2006, Professor Amupitan was appointed Head, Department of Public Law, University of Jos; a position he held until 26th May 2008 when he was appointed as Ag. Dean Faculty of Law. He was elected as a substantive Dean of the Faculty of Law in August 2010 and re-elected for another term of 2 years in August 2012. He successfully concluded his term as Dean of the Faculty on 20th August 2014 after over six years in office. He also served as the Chairman, Committee of Deans & Directors, University of Jos between June 2012 and August 2014
In 2004, Professor Amupitan was appointed a visiting Scholar by the Institute of International Education, Department of States, USA to the Boyd’s College of Law, University of Iowa, United States.
Professor Amupitan has served on the Governing Council of several Institutions within and outside Nigeria. This includes-
1. Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 2008 to August 2014.
2. University of Jos Governing Council, 2009- 2011
3. Council of Legal Education, 2008 to August 2014
4. Academic Board, Nettel@africa .com, South Africa
5. Board of Trustees of Nigerian Association of Law Teachers
6. Board Member, Abuja Investment Company Limited, 2017 till date
7. Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, 2021
He has also served as an external examiner (Post Graduate) and External Assessor (Professorial Rank) to several Institutions within and outside Nigeria such as National Islamic University, Malaysia, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Benue State University, Kogi State University, University of Lagos, University of Benin and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
Professor Amupitan also served as a member of Vision 2020 on Corporate Governance Thematic Group, 2009. The group helped on putting the Vision 2020 documents together for the Federal Government. He was also a member of Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Conflicts in Namu Town, Qua’an Pan L.G.A Plateau State, 2005-2006. The report of the panel helped in resolving the crisis in that part of Plateau State.
He is a member of several professional associations such as NBA, NALTS, NIM and IALS. He has authored six books and published over 70 articles in reputable journals and books. He has taught the Law of Evidence and Company for three decades.
He has attended several conferences within and outside Nigeria.
Professor Amupitan was appointed as a Consultant to Central Bank of Nigeria between 2016-2018 and Consultant to the 8th House of Representatives of the National Assembly. He is married to Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Amupitan a seasoned Legal Practitioner and Deputy Director at Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos. They are blessed with four children.
Professor Amupitan was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in August 2014.

Barr. Joash Amupitan, SAN