The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.
Saraki in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Justice as a patriotic and diligent public servant whose many well-considered judgmentss enriched the nation’s jurisprudence and contributed immensely to national development.
He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Tiv Nation, the Judiciary, the Government and people of Benue State over the sad incident.
Saraki said: “We have lost a worthy and exemplary Nigerian. We have lost a legal luminary whose numerous contributions to the development of the nation’s judiciary cannot be quantified.
“It is regrettable that he left us at a time his experience and wise counsel would have been invaluable in tackling critical national challenges confronting the country,” he stated.
Saraki prayed to God to grant the soul of the late CJN peaceful rest and his family and loved ones fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Katsina-Alu, 76, died in the wee hours of Wednesday at Chida Orthopaedic Hospital, Gudu, Abuja.
Katsina Alu was from Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue state.
He succeeded Idris Legbo Kutigi as Chief Justice of Nigeria in December 2009.
He was sworn-in by Kutigi because former president Umaru Yar’Adua, who was ill at the time, had failed to hand over to his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.
Katsina-Alu remained in the position until August 2011 when the late Dahiru Musdapher succeeded him.
He was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from December 30, 2009, to August 28, 2011, having succeeded Idris Legbo Kutigi.
Katsina-Alu, who is said to be the first person from the middle belt to serve as CJN, began his career some 51 years ago when he was called to the bar. He rose to the pinnacle of the nation’s judicial hierarchy, earning fame and national renown along the way.
