A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, died on Sunday aged 96.
Justice Oputa had struggled with failing health for several months, culminating in a stroke he suffered in February 2014.
A son of the departed jurist and a
musician, Mr. Charles Oputa (aka Charlie Boy), confirmed the death of
his father in a statement.
Continue reading after the cut...
“The Family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa
wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a
retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years.
He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014, after
recovering from a brief illness. Funeral announcements will soon be
released by the family,” Charles’ statement read.
Oputa, before his death, had been absent from public functions in recent years due to critical health condition.
A source said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the National Hospital in Abuja.
Widely respected by other judges and lawyers for his self-discipline,
extraordinary work ethic, and the rigor of his judicial opinions,
Justice Oputa was endearingly called the Socrates of the Supreme Court.
Oputa, was appointed to head a panel
constituted to investigate rights abuses during 15 years of military
rule between 1976 and 1999 when President Olusegun Obasanjo took office
as elected president on 29 May, 1999.
In his last few years, Justice Oputa divided his time between Abuja and his country home in Oguta.He is survived by a wife, Mrs. C. Oputa, and several children and grandchildren, among them his son, Charles Oputa, an eccentric entertainer.
Family source stated that the family was yet to decide on funeral arrangements.
May his soul rest in peace.
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