November 13, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, former Supreme Court justice, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91.
Ogwuegbu, who joined the Supreme Court in February 1992 and retired in March 2003, was a towering figure in Nigeria’s judiciary.
His career, spanning over five decades, began as a magistrate and saw him rise through the ranks to the High Court of old Imo State, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court.
Before his appointment to the highest court, he served on the Court of Appeal for five years and also held a position on the Supreme Court of The Gambia, appointed in December 1999.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his deep sympathy to members of the bar and bench mourning the respected jurist across the nation.
He acknowledged Justice Ogwuegbu’s role as a mentor to countless judges and lawyers and celebrated his enduring contributions to the judiciary.
Ogwuegbu, born in 1933 in Amainyi, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, dedicated himself to advancing Nigeria’s judicial standards.
He served as President of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and, following Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, chaired the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating human rights abuses under military rule.
Tinubu praised Ogwuegbu’s unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, highlighting his transformative influence on Nigeria’s judiciary.
The President noted the late Justice’s landmark rulings on federalism, university autonomy, individual rights, banking regulations, and monetary policy, which remain seminal to Nigerian law.
Reflecting on his legacy, Tinubu stated, “Justice Ogwuegbu’s life was a testament to discipline, excellence, and integrity, and his work will continue to guide our legal system for generations.”
The President offered prayers for divine comfort for the family and eternal peace for the soul of the revered elder statesman.
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