A
abujagirl
Guest
Governor Willie #Obiano of #Anambra state has described the death of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as the final epilogue in the narrative of Nigeria’s generation of icons of jurisprudence.
Oputa, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, died on May 4, at the age of 96 years. The late jurist hailed from Oguta in #Imo, and was a product of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, #Anambra.
In a tribute signed by Mr James Eze, Senior Special Assistant on media to the governor, Obiano said that Oputa belonged to the front row of Nigeria’s foremost jurists and legal giants.
"These legal giants used their genius to lay down the judicial framework for the country.’’
He added that Oputa belonged to the generation of Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Justice Kayode Eso, Justice Augustine Nnamani and Justice T. S. Elias.
"But even so, he was a towering giant of incomparable stature whose brilliance left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s collective consciousness at the now famous Oputa Panel. His passage brings closure to Nigeria’s long line of legal luminaries of his era,’’ he said.
He further said that Oputa’s passage came at a time when his sagely counsel would have illuminated conversations at the on-going National Conference to further underscore his pre-eminent position as a leading statesman.
"The world will never forget the monumental talent and excellent jurisprudential skills he brought to bear on the Oputa Panel. The panel helped heal the wounds inflicted on Nigeria by 15 years of military dictatorship.
Obiano said that with Oputa’s death, Nigeria has lost a metaphorical legal father figure.
"Nigeria shall miss his extra-ordinary philosophical approach to jurisprudence which pitched him almost on the same pedestal as the iconographic Lord Denning. His high-minded interpretations of the letters of the law earned him the admiration of his peers who referred to him as Socrates.
"Oputa’s passage leaves a void that will take generations to fill. Although we are bereaved of his presence, he left us rich with his judgements and legal writings which will continue to guide successive generations on the knotty issues of jurisprudence.
Obiano urged the Federal Government to seek a way to immortalise the deceased.
"I wish to assure my friend, Charles, and the rest of the #Oputa family, that my prayers and the prayers of Ndi Anambra are with them in this moment of grief.
The governor prayed God to grant the family of the deceased the special grace to stand strong this time, and give Nigeria the fortitude to bear the loss.
Oputa, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, died on May 4, at the age of 96 years. The late jurist hailed from Oguta in #Imo, and was a product of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, #Anambra.
In a tribute signed by Mr James Eze, Senior Special Assistant on media to the governor, Obiano said that Oputa belonged to the front row of Nigeria’s foremost jurists and legal giants.
"These legal giants used their genius to lay down the judicial framework for the country.’’
He added that Oputa belonged to the generation of Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Justice Kayode Eso, Justice Augustine Nnamani and Justice T. S. Elias.
"But even so, he was a towering giant of incomparable stature whose brilliance left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s collective consciousness at the now famous Oputa Panel. His passage brings closure to Nigeria’s long line of legal luminaries of his era,’’ he said.
He further said that Oputa’s passage came at a time when his sagely counsel would have illuminated conversations at the on-going National Conference to further underscore his pre-eminent position as a leading statesman.
"The world will never forget the monumental talent and excellent jurisprudential skills he brought to bear on the Oputa Panel. The panel helped heal the wounds inflicted on Nigeria by 15 years of military dictatorship.
Obiano said that with Oputa’s death, Nigeria has lost a metaphorical legal father figure.
"Nigeria shall miss his extra-ordinary philosophical approach to jurisprudence which pitched him almost on the same pedestal as the iconographic Lord Denning. His high-minded interpretations of the letters of the law earned him the admiration of his peers who referred to him as Socrates.
"Oputa’s passage leaves a void that will take generations to fill. Although we are bereaved of his presence, he left us rich with his judgements and legal writings which will continue to guide successive generations on the knotty issues of jurisprudence.
Obiano urged the Federal Government to seek a way to immortalise the deceased.
"I wish to assure my friend, Charles, and the rest of the #Oputa family, that my prayers and the prayers of Ndi Anambra are with them in this moment of grief.
The governor prayed God to grant the family of the deceased the special grace to stand strong this time, and give Nigeria the fortitude to bear the loss.