The Judiciary, Sunday, declared a seven-day mourning to honour Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, who died at 78.
Justice Walter Onnoghen, the incumbent CJN, has directed that the Nigerian National Flag in the premises of the Supreme Court, the CJN’s official residence in the three Arms Zone of Abuja, all Judiciary institutions, including the National Judicial Council, NJC, the National Judicial Institute, NJI, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, as well as all Courts of Records in the country, should be flown at half-mast for a duration of seven days.
Similarly, the CJN instructed the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to open condolence registers at foyers of the court to enable Justices of the Court and other well-wishers pay their last respects to the deceased jurist.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Awassam Bassey, Justice Onnoghen said he received the news of the demise of the erstwhile CJN with sadness.
“The CJN, on behalf of the Nigerian Judiciary and, indeed, all Nigerians, commiserates with the family of the deceased former CJN and urges them to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived to the fullness of age and served his country diligently, rising to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the highest office in the third arm of government.
“The Hon. Chief Justice prays for the peaceful repose of Hon. Mr. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and urges God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement read.
Reacting to Kutigi’s death, spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, said: “The President joins in mourning the elder statesman who will be long remembered and honoured for his visionary roles and contributions in the advances our country has made towards building a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, which is sine qua non for democracy to thrive.
“Throughout his career in the apex court, President Buhari believes that the former CJN’s bold and articulate judicial decisions, advocacies on access to justice for all and protection of judicial independence are extant signposts for the advancement of the noble profession in the country and beyond.
“The President urges all who mourn the late jurist to honour his memory by working for a better and just society, in addition to upholding the virtues associated with him during his lifetime of long and dedicated service to the nation.
“The President prays almighty God to comfort Kutigi’s family, friends and associates and grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.”
In his reaction, Senate president, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, did not only express sadness over the demise but also described him as a honourable jurist who spent his life in the service of his country and humanity.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, stated that the death of the jurist was a colossal loss, particularly coming at a time his experience, dedication and knowledge were required in the service of the country.
He stated that the late Justice Kutigi would be remembered for his high sense of integrity, incisive judgements, reform-mindedness and immense contributions to national development.
“It saddens me that we have lost a vivacious, humane and tireless jurist who, even in retirement, was called upon by former President Goodluck Jonathan to chair the Sovereign National Conference in 2014. We shall all miss him,” Saraki stated.
Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also yesterday expressed sadness over the demise of the former CJN, describing his death as a huge loss to the nation and the Judiciary.
In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP described Justice Kutigi as “an outstanding administrator; a fearless, impartial and firm judicial officer, who upheld justice and the law in all his assignments at the bench.
“As CJN, Justice Kutigi ensured the independence of the judiciary as an arm of government and contributed in no little way in providing direction to our nation at very critical moments in our national development.
“Beside his incisive judgments, Nigerians will always remember Justice Kutigi’s forthrightness as the Chairman of the 2014 Constitutional Conference, which made far-reaching recommendations for the development and stability of our nation.
“The PDP is grief-stricken that this noble Nigerian left the stage at the time his wealth of experience is needed the most,” the statement reads.
Kutigi, who served as CJN between January 30, 2007 and December 30, 2009, reportedly died in a London hospital on Saturday after a brief illness.
Justice Kutigi was born on December 31, 1939, in Kutigi, North-Western State (which is now located in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State).
He served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State until 1976, when he was appointed a High Court Judge.
He was elevated to the apex court bench in 1992 and subsequently okayed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to take over the reins of leadership in the judiciary in 2007.
Justice Kutigi succeeded Justice Alfa Belgore as the 10th CJN in the annals of the country.
He handed over to Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu in 2009, upon clocking the mandatory retirement age.
