Mmedara Bookshop is an online store for a gifted writer and author of many books. This gifted writer and author of many books is Hon. Justice Ita G. Mbaba. He is a poet and novelist, highly gifted in literary and motivational writings. He has authored many books. Justice Ita Mbaba has served (and still serves) in different leadership roles in many organizations and Fellowships.

Including the office of:

• Elder of Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria from 1999 to date;
• Financial Secretary – Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch (1994 – 1998);
• President – Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship, Uyo Chapter – 1999 to  2003;
• Secretary/Legal Adviser – Akwa Ibom Minds – A Socio-Cultural Organization – 1990 to  2000;
• Secretary – Nigeria Prays Project – 1996 to 2000;
• Akwa Ibom State Co-ordinator/National Executive Member – Congress on Christian Ethics in Nigeria (COCEN) 1997 to 2000;
• Deputy Secretary – Ibibio Elders Forum – 2000;
• President – Cross River State Evangelical Students Association – 1983 to 1984;
• Secretary Judges Conference, Akwa Ibom State, 2004 to 2008;
• Chairman, Judiciary Prays Committee, Akwa Ibom State – 2004 to 2008.

Importantly,

Hon Justice Ita G Mbaba is a respected jurist, a Church Elder, poet, novelist and author of many inspiring literary and Christian literature, read in secondary schools, Universities and generally, for personal development. Currently, he sits as Presiding Justice on the Court of Appeal bench in Kano Division. Court of Appeal is the second highest court in Nigeria. Elevated and sworn in to the Court of Appeal bench was he, on the 16th of July 2010. Albeit, he has moved, extensively, through and across Nigeria, having served in Yola, Ilorin, Kaduna, Owerri, Enugu and Kano Divisions of the Court.

In addition, he does other special sittings in almost all the 16 Divisions of the Court of Appeal. Mbaba served as High Court Judge of Akwa Ibom State for 10 years, before his elevation to the Court of Appeal. Appointed and sworn in to the High Court bench was he on 23rd July 2000. At the High Court, he served in Abak, Uyo, Okobo and Eket Divisions of the Court. He also held some important leadership and/or administrative positions, including serving as the Secretary of the Judges Conference of the State and as the Chairman of the Judiciary Prays Committee of the Judiciary.

Also worthy of note

Ita Mbaba is a proud member of CLASS ’85 of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, where he studied Law, from 1981 to 1985. Whilst in the University, he organized Christian law students to meet and pray and study the Scriptures, a group that called itself, CHRISTIAN LAW STUDENTS, what has become CLASFON today. Also known was he for his writings in the University. He wrote articles on topical issues and poems which he published at a conspicuous place at the Students Centre, at Malabar, the unofficial name given by students to the Students Hostels on that side of the Campus.

His first book – a collection of 64 poems, titled PEACE SPRING was published in his 3rd year, and was honoured/humoured by the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof Ernest Emenyonu, who invited him to grace the high table at the 1984 Banquet Night of the Annual Literary Conference, hosted by the Faculty. He shared the table with prominent writers and authors from across the world, who took part in the International Confab of that year. 

His Educational Journey

Ita Mbaba attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, in 1985/86 and was called to the BAR in 1986. He happened to be the first person in the 1986 CLASS of the Nigerian Law School to make the Court of Appeal bench! Thanks to God’s mercies! Two other members of that Class have since joined him, and, delightfully, members of our CLASS ’85 from UNICAL! Ita Mbaba entered the University of Calabar with Teacher’s Grade II Certificate and General Certificate of Education (O’Level) which he obtained all in 1979.

This gifted writer and author had a miraculous teacher training programme. Having lost both parents before he was ten, he stood no chance to complete even his primary school education. It took a kind Pastor, a distant relation, to help him complete Primary six, in 1970. That only qualified him to serve many homes as a houseboy, an office he served creditably, passing from one hand to another, until 1974, when General Gowon’s regime planned to train teachers, free, for the UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION (UPE) meant to take off in 1976. God created that window for ‘yours truly’ to go to school! Of course, Murtala/Obasanjo regime sustained that programme, and the moment Ita Mbaba earned his said certificates, that education window was shut and teacher training programme was no longer free – school fees were introduced in 1980/81! 

Furthermore,

As a teacher, he taught in primary school, from December 1979 to July 1981, when he left for the University. Upon being called to BAR, he went straight to legal practice, having been exempted from NYSC programme. As a private legal practitioner, he practised law in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, first with a senior, Dr Ekanem Ita Ekanem, of blessed memory, for a year, from December 1986 to 1987. After that, he started his private chambers from September 1987 and served till July 2000, when he joined the High Court bench. His law office was called MFONOBONG CHAMBERS, in appreciation of God’s grace and mercies. And he remains ever grateful to the Almighty God, to whom he yielded his youthful heart in 1972.

Ita attributes all the miracles and grace that attended his life and all the opportunities he has ever enjoyed to that decision he made in February 1972, surrendering his heart to Christ, to be born again. This includes the privilege to be trained, prepared and made to serve God and Humanity as teacher, lawyer and judge/justice. He treasures that capacity of relating with his MAKER. He prays that governments would bring education within the reach of the poor, the orphans and all; to open them up to their potentials. Who knows? waiting to be discovered, among them, may be the saviour we need.

In Conclusion

Hon Justice Mbaba has a prominent place in the many Law Reports, online reports and Journals in Nigeria and beyond. In the same vein, he has authored five novels, three collections of poetry, handbooks on marriage, law-related manuals and multiple inspirational tracts and material on the Christian faith. He married late Deaconess, MERCY ITA MBABA (née Sunday Ibanga) in 1987 and together produced five beautiful girls. ANGELS, he calls his girls amongst other special names. Married are three of them. Ita Mbaba was born in 1955, in Obio Etoi, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and he has travelled widely, in and outside Nigeria. He loves to read, write, preach and teach. He plays table tennis and watches television, to relax. This gifted writer and author desires to remain an INSPIRATION and Heaven material.