By Kayode Adeoti
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and legal practitioners in Kwara State have eulogised former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi who died early hours of yesterday at the age of 78.
The death of the jurist at a London hospital was reportedly confirmed by his eldest son, Sani Kutigi.
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 when 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.
The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and urged them to be consoled by the praise-worthy lifestyle of the departed statesman.
He also condoled with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Nigeria Judiciary, the people and government of Niger State over the irreplaceable loss.
Similarly, Barr. Saka Isau, SAN while speaking with our reporter yesterday said the entire globe will miss the incorruptible jurist for his uprightness.
He said, “One of his sons who is now a Court of Appeal Judge served in my chamber in 1994, this made me to be very close to the family. I know the late jurist as a gentleman and an incorruptible judge.
“The Reversed Laws of Kwara State, he was the one who commissioned it at Kwara Hotel in 2007 when he was the CJN and I was the state Attorney General. His death is a great loss to the country, Niger State and the world.”
In his reaction, the Chairman of Arewa Lawyers’ Forum and Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF), Ilorin branch, Barr. Olayinka Dauda Jimoh lamented that the Nigerian Judiciary has lost a man of honour and integrity.
“Nigeria has lost another incorruptible jurist, he served the country to the best of his knowledge, during his tenure and after, he lived a life worthy of emulation.
“We lost him at a time Nigeria is yearning for the strengthening of its democracy,” Jimoh stated.
Also, Barr. Akin Akintoye II in a message forwarded to this medium said, Kutigi was a hardworking judge.
Meanwhile, plans are in top gear to transport the remains of Kutigi from London to Nigeria for burial, according to his son.
Born on December 31, 1939, Kutigi left behind 18 children and over 40 grandchildren.
He was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from January 30, 2007 till December 30 2009.
Justice Kutigi served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State until 1976, when he was appointed High Court judge. He served in that position for more than a decade and later joined the Supreme Court in 1992.
After 10 years at the Supreme Court, based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), former president, Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him CJN to succeed Justice Salihu Alfa Belgore, who retired on January 17, 2007.
