See a man diligent in his work and he will stand with kings and not walk with mean men. So it is with Sir Steve Zakari Adehi, SAN, CKSM, KCSS, the newly elected Supreme Knight of The Order of The Knights of Saint Mulumba Nigeria (KSM). Adehi’s pedigree, enviable track record and evident objective accomplishments cohere with William Shakespeare’s assertion in his notable work Twelfth Night that some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Indeed, Adehi is one of the rare and gifted individuals who joggle different balls at the same time and still keep a steady hand that ensures that all the balls soar while none drops. He is a distinguished Knight in The Order of The Knights of Saint Mulumba KSM, a pre-eminent Marian Order of select Catholics committed to defending the catholic faith with charity to all and malice towards none. He is a Commander of Knights of St. Mulumba, CKSM and has served KSM in different capacities as Sub Council Advocate, Metro Advocate, Grand Knight, Deputy Metropolitan Grand Knight and Supreme Advocate. His well-deserved crowning glory is election as the Supreme Knight of KSM.
The inimitable Sir (Don) Steve Adehi, is also a Papal Knight, he was Knighted as Knight of St. Sylvester by Pope Benedict in 2005 and elevated to Knight Commander of St. Sylvester in 2021 by Pope Francis and currently serves as the National President of Papal Knights in Nigeria. The immortal Rudyard Kipling had the likes of Steve Adehi in mind when he applauded in his legendary poem IF those who “can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch”, for Adehi is a man of the people who cherishes great fidelity to his catholic faith. A gold fish that is easily seen and applauded, he was recently honoured beyond Nigerian shores, by the Noble Company of Arbalest (Crossbowmen) Esquires of St. Philip and St. James in Spain.
This converted award conferred on him the distinguished membership of Ballestero de Hermandad. The honour holds deep significance within the Catholic Church in Spain and stands on par with the Knight Commander title earlier bestowed on him by the Vatican. It is a testament to his enduring commitment to the cause of humanity and the values he upholds. In essence, this rare recognition, celebrates his life of selflessness, integrity, justice, humility, and unwavering moral rectitude, virtues that have defined his service to humanity.
An esteemed member of the inner bar in Nigeria, Steve Adehi, SAN, has over 39 years of Legal practice experience. He is the Principal Partner of the Nigerian based Law firm of Steve Adehi SAN & Co, which he established in 1988, with offices in Kano and Abuja. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, he has extensive experience in Corporate and Commercial Law, Banking transactions, Litigation and Arbitration and many Arbitration Proceedings. Adehi holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs & Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and another Masters Degree in Business & Commercial Law from Bayero University Kano. He is a registered Solicitor with the Nigerian Capital Market, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Notary Public.
A member of the Body of Benchers and a true Bar man, he served as a member of the National Executive Council of NBA under four successive National Presidents; A.B. Mahmud, SAN, Paul Usoro, SAN and Y.C. Maikyau, SAN and partly Afam Osigew, SAN. He has held other leadership positions within the NBA, including being appointed as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for NBA-SPIDEL (Section on Public Interest and Development Law), Pioneer Chairman of NBA Bureau for Employment. He was a Council member of the NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP).
He also served as Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Committee NBA Kano, Chairman, Publicity Committee, NBA, Kano, Member, Fund Raising Committee, NBA, Kano, Member, Secretariat Building Committee, NBA, Kano, Member, Disciplinary Committee, NBA, Kano, Secretary, National Disciplinary Committee for North West Zone, Chairman, NBA Kano Disciplinary Committee from 2011 till date, Member, Advisory Committee, NBA, Kano, Member, NBA National Welfare Committee on COVID 19 and was among the first set of recipients of the Bar Presidential Award 2024 by the Y.C Maikyau, SAN Administration .
A seasoned professional and patriot, he was also part of the legal team that defended President Buhari in 2015 and was enlisted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to defend the results of the 2023 presidential election at the tribunal and to ultimately ensure stability, peace and progress in the polity.
A committed family man, Adehi holds tenaciously to the ennobling catholic family values. His wife Lady Mary Adehi is similarly inclined. A very supportive spouse, she is a true example of the axiom that behind every successful man there is a woman of substance. She, a doctorate degree holder in Statistics, an Associate Professor, inevitably shares with her four children, in the many accolades that come the way of her beloved husband including the title of Doña, which was automatically bestowed on her to complete her husband’s rare recognition in Spain. She was past C.W.O President of St. Louis Parish Kano, past C.W.O President, Holy Family Catholic Church, Life Camp Abuja, Vice President LSM Kano Sub-Council and presently President, LSM Gwarinpa Sub-Council Abuja. Theirs is deemed an exemplary family.
Ever willing to give his time, talent and treasure, Adehi is a quiet philanthropist and remains active in church affairs. He recently served as the chairman of the opening ceremony of the 2025 Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where he spoke on the theme of “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria”. Now as the Supreme Knight of the honoured Order of The Knights Saint Mulumba Nigeria KSM, he is now poised to not only beam a light for a new KSM but also transform The Order to the glory of God and benefit of mankind.
