Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra mourns the death of Nigeria’s iconic retired justice of the Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa who died yesterday Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the age of 96 years.
The late judge a native of Oguta in Imo, was also an ex student of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, Anambra.
the Governor In a tribute signed by Mr James Eze, Senior Special Assistant on media to the governor described his death as the final epilogue in the narrative of Nigeria’s generation of icons of jurisprudence.
According to him “These legal giants used their genius to lay down the judicial framework for the country.’’
Oputa belonged to the generation of Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Justice Kayode Eso, Justice Augustine Nnamani and Justice T. S. Elias But even so, he was a towering giant of incomparable stature whose brilliance left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s collective consciousness at the now famous Oputa Panel.
“His passage brings closure to Nigeria’s long line of legal luminaries of his era,’’ he said.
“Oputa’s passage came at a time “when his sagely counsel’’ would have illuminated conversations at the on-going National Conference to further underscore his pre-eminent position as a leading statesman”, he added.
He also laid emphasis on the positive works done by the late jurist adding that “The world will never forget the monumental talent and excellent jurisprudential skills he brought to bear on the Oputa Panel.
“The panel helped heal the wounds inflicted on Nigeria by 15 years of military dictatorship.”
