Inducted 2004
Hon. Napwanyio Hansine
- Name
- Hon. Napwanyio Hansine
- State of Origin
- Plateau
- Zone
- North Central
- Sector of Achievement
- Judiciary & Legal Services
- Profession
- Barrister
- Year of Induction
- 2004
- Posthumous
- No
Landmark Achievement
First female President of the Community Court of Justice of ECOWAS
Reasons for Induction
International and National Impact Justice Donli’s achievement had a major impact by breaking gender barriers in the judiciary, becoming the first woman to lead the ECOWAS Court of Justice and inspiring greater participation of women in law and public service
Biography
Justice Hansine N. Donli is a distinguished Nigerian jurist and one of the pioneers of women’s representation in the Nigerian judiciary and West African legal system. She obtained her Diploma Certificate in Law in 1970, LL.B in 1973, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in June 1974. She began her legal career as a Pupil State Counsel in the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice and rose through various judicial positions, becoming a High Court Judge in 1987. Institute for African Women in Law She later became the first female President of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), serving from 2001 to 2007. She was also a former Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and contributed significantly to legal development and human rights advocacy.