Funke Adeoye, the founder and executive director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, a non-profit organisation supporting indigent inmates and advocating for reforms in Nigeria’s justice system, has won the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the International Bar Association (IBA).
The award was presented on Thursday at the IBA’s Annual Conference held in Toronto, Canada. It recognises young lawyers aged 35 and below around the world who have made remarkable contributions to the rule of law, demonstrated service to humanity, and upheld ethical excellence in their professional practice.
Adeoye founded Hope Behind Bars Africa at the age of 26. Since its inception, the organisation has worked tirelessly to provide pro bono legal services to prisoners who have been wrongfully incarcerated due to systemic failures in the justice system. According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the organisation has successfully secured the release of 416 innocent inmates within its first five years of operation.
Speaking on her award, Adeoye said it symbolises more than her personal achievement.
“This recognition is not just about me. It represents every young lawyer who believes that in spite of the state of our world, the law still remains a critical tool for social engineering and transformation,” she said.
Her efforts at Hope Behind Bars Africa focus on providing legal representation, rehabilitation, and advocacy for structural reforms aimed at making Nigeria’s justice system more accessible and equitable.
A statement from Ogechi Ogwuma, the communications officer for the organisation, highlighted Adeoye’s pioneering work:
“Funke was selected from a global pool of outstanding nominees for her pioneering work at the intersection of access to justice, human rights, and legal technology. She has led innovative interventions that provide quality legal support to wrongfully incarcerated individuals, promote criminal justice reforms, and strengthen civic engagement.”
The organisation’s work has significantly contributed to restoring dignity and freedom to many inmates while also addressing systemic challenges in Nigeria’s prison and judicial systems.
Adeoye’s professional journey began at the University of Benin, where she earned her LLB in 2012 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. She furthered her education at the University of Oxford, where she obtained an MSc in International Human Rights Law as a Commonwealth Scholar.
Over the years, Adeoye has become a vocal advocate for justice reform, emphasising the role of innovation, inclusion, and technology in transforming justice delivery. Her approach combines legal expertise with community-focused interventions to tackle the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“Her efforts have facilitated access to justice and the rehabilitation of thousands of inmates while advancing structural reforms that make the justice system more accessible across Nigeria,” Ogwuma added.
Her work has also been recognised by other prestigious bodies. In 2024, she was selected as one of 18 recipients of the Ashoka Fellowship, an award given to social entrepreneurs creating impactful solutions to societal challenges.
Adeoye dedicated her IBA award to young African lawyers and human rights defenders working under challenging conditions.
“It reaffirms that the world is watching and that ethical, innovative, and people-centred lawyering matters,” she said.
FIJ reports that Hope Behind Bars Africa has also embraced legal technology, improving case management, monitoring, and advocacy, which has helped the organisation to scale its impact across multiple Nigerian states. This approach ensures that innocent inmates are not left behind and that the justice system can operate more efficiently.
The award not only celebrates Adeoye’s personal achievements but also shines a light on Nigeria’s justice challenges, particularly concerning pre-trial detention and access to legal representation for the poor. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, a significant portion of Nigeria’s prison population comprises individuals who cannot afford legal counsel, making organisations like Hope Behind Bars Africa crucial in filling this gap.
Funke Adeoye’s recognition at the International Bar Association’s Annual Conference signals a growing global appreciation for young African legal practitioners who are combining professional expertise with social impact. As the founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, she continues to mentor, train, and inspire a new generation of lawyers committed to ethical, innovative, and people-centered lawyering.
“This is a reminder that dedicated service and unwavering commitment to justice can bring global recognition while making real-life differences to those who need it most,” said Ogwuma.
