Animoku-Atta James

Acting Director of Legal Services

Profile of Animoku-Atta James

Acting Director of Legal Services and Compliance at the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS). He is a self-driven, resourceful, creative, and forward-thinking legal professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in both the public and private sectors of Nigeria.

He is an alumnus of the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) degree in 1997, graduating with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) and emerging as the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Law that year. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja, where he earned his Barrister-at-Law (B.L Hons) in 1999, also with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division). In 2012, he further obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M Hons) degree from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.

Awards and Recognition

  • Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Law, University of Jos – 1997

  • Law Students Society Award – Best Student in Legal Drafting and Conveyancing

  • Federal Government Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient

  • Best Student, Abdulazeez Atta Memorial College, Okene – 1988

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

  • Member, International Bar Association (IBA)

Career and Experience

Animoku-Atta James possesses extensive expertise in constitutional and administrative law, litigation, commercial and corporate law, pre- and post-election litigation, and general legal advisory.

He began his career in 1999 as a Pupil Counsel at Aliyu Saiki & Co. (SAN), Okene, and served as a Youth Corps Member with Wale Omotosho & Co., Akure, Ondo State. From 2002 to 2004, he worked as a Legal Officer at Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd (ASCO).

In 2005, he joined Abdullahi Aliyu & Co. (SAN) in Okene as Counsel. He later served as Head of Chambers at Muhammad Yamah & Co., Abuja (2006–2008). In 2009, he founded James Animoku-Atta & Co., based in Wuse II, Abuja, where he served as Principal Counsel until August 2024.

In September 2024, he joined the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service as Deputy Director, Legal Services and Compliance Directorate, and was subsequently appointed Acting Director of the directorate by the Executive Chairman on 21st January 2025—a position he holds to date.

Animoku-Atta James is a transformational legal practitioner known for his pragmatic legal approach, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Bilikisu Abdullahi