Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs was born on 12th December, 1949, at Kpak-Kagoro, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He began his educational journey in January 1956 at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Kagoro, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in December 1962. He thereafter attended St. John Vianney Seminary, Barakin Ladi; St. Mary’s (now Government) Secondary School, Fadan Kaje, Zonkwa; and St. John’s (Rimi) College, Kaduna, where he completed his secondary education in 1969.

Justice Akaahs studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between September 1970 and June 1973. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School between October 1974 and June 1975, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 28th June, 1975. In 1977, he undertook specialised professional training at University College, Swansea, United Kingdom, on planning services for offenders in the community.

He began his public service career at the North Central State Ministry of Justice in June 1975, rising through the ranks to Acting State Principal Counsel in June 1980. He also served as Counsel to a Judicial Commission of Inquiry (1978); Chairman, Rent Tribunal (1978–1980); and Member, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board (1984–1986).

Justice Akaahs was briefly in private legal practice between July 1980 and May 1986, before his appointment as a Judge of the Kaduna State Judiciary in May 1986. He later served as Acting Chief Judge of Kaduna State in 1998. In the same year, he was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal, where he served as Presiding Justice of the Calabar Division from March 2008 to September 2011, and subsequently as Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division from September 2011 to September 2012.

Justice Akaahs was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and sworn in as a Justice of the apex court on 26th September, 2012. He served with distinction on the Supreme Court Bench until his retirement on 12th December, 2019, upon attaining the constitutionally prescribed age.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of law and justice in Nigeria, Justice Akaahs was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in July 2020. He is also a recipient of the KDA National Meritorious Award.

Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs brings to the National Judicial Council a wealth of experience spanning trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court, marked by integrity, depth of learning, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.