Follow Us on Google
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) will on May 14 hold a valedictory court session in honour of the late Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, a justice of the court who died in October last year.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is expected to attend the ceremony fixed for 2pm.
A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Court, Dr. Festus Aweneri Akande said the late judicial icon passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 8, 2024, at the age of 91 years.
A quintessential legal giant with a humble background, Justice Ogwuegbu was born on March 16, 1933, in Amainyi, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
He was appointed a judge of the High Court of Imo State in November 1976, and served as Administrative Judge, Owerri Judicial Division from 1976 to 1979.
He was deployed to Aba Judicial Division in the same capacity of Administrative Judge in 1980. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 1987, and served in Ibadan and Lagos Divisions, respectively.
Late Justice Ogwuegbu was subsequently appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in April 1992.
However, in recognition of his sterling contributions to the Nigerian judiciary, he was seconded by the Federal Government to serve on the Supreme Court’s bench of The Gambia, from December 1999 to 2002, before returning to the country to continue his meritorious service at the Supreme Court of Nigeria until his retirement on March 16, 2003.
The Special Court Session will be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, who will customarily pay tribute to the late Ogwuegbu alongside other major stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.
