Buhari, Onnoghen, others mourn as ex-CJN Kutigi dies at 78

…Judiciary declares 7-day mourning
President Muhammadu Buhari and several eminent Nigerians on Sunday mourned the demise of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Kutigi, who died at a London hospital on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 78.

The late Justice Kutigi, who was appointed the CJN on January 30, 2007, served in that capacity until December 30, 2009 when he retired at the mandatory age of 75 years.

President Buhari in a heartfelt condolence to the Kutigi family and judiciary also commiserated with members of the judiciary and legal profession.

In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday, the president condoled with the government and people of Niger State on the death of the eminent jurist, noting that he was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992 and named as CJN in 2007.

According to him, the late CJN 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.

He also believed that Kutigi’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 urged all who mourned the late jurist to honour his memory by working for a better and just society. He also urged them to uphold the virtues associated with him during his lifetime of long and dedicated service to the nation.

He prayed almighty God to comfort Kutigi’s family, friends and associates, and grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.

Also mourning his demise on Sunday, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, described Justice Kutigi death as very sad and noted that the late Kutigi served as a honourable jurist who spent his life in the service of his country and humanity.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki 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.

Saraki also 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 Nigerian Judiciary, the people and government of Niger State over the irreplaceable loss.

He prayed God to grant the soul of the former CJN a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus and his family and loved ones the grace to bear the loss

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has said that he received with sadness the news of the demise of former CJN, Justice Idris Kutigi, on Sunday.

In a statement signed by Awassam Bassey, Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, Justice Onnoghen on behalf of the Nigerian Judiciary and, indeed, all Nigerians, commiserated with the family of the deceased former CJN and urged 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 CJN , the highest office in the third arm of government.

The CJN, as a mark of deserved honour to the late CJN Kutigi, therefore directed that the Nigerian National Flag in the premises of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the CJN’s official residence in the Three Arms Zone of Abuja should be flown at half-mast for a duration of seven days.

Other premises where the National Flag would flown at half- mast are all Judiciary institutions including the National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), as well as all Courts of records in the country.

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court has in same vein opened condolence registers at both foyers of the apex Court to enable Justices of the Court and other well-wishers pay their last respects to late Justice Kutigi who was CJN from 30th January, 2007 to 31st December, 2009.

Justice Onnoghen prayed for the peaceful repose of late Justice Kutigi and urged God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also, former Vice President of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, said that the death of the former CJN has robbed the country and the judiciary of one of the best legal minds whose contribution to democracy cannot be easily forgotten.

In a statement by his media assistant, Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Sunday, Atiku explained that Kutigi was a great Justice who avoided controversy throughout his judicial career, and that his commitment to law and justice and democracy would be remembered for years to come after his death.

The presidential candidate of the PDP recalled that as chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Kutigi demonstrated admirable wisdom and remarkable leadership in handling such delicate national assignment.

“By successfully chairing such gathering of Nigerians from diverse backgrounds”, Atiku said, Kutigi “showed a great capacity for leadership and broadminded disposition.”

He prayed to Allah to bless and forgive the soul of the late Chief Justice of Nigeria and wished his family the strength to overcome this moment of great loss.

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello in his condolence message, expressed shock over the demise of former CJN, Justice Kutigi.

The Governor described the demise of the legal luminary as a great loss to the country in general, the state in particular as well as the legal profession.

In the massage signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace, Governor Sani-Bello eulogised the iconic legal giant, describing his contributions to the development of the justice system in the country as immeasurable.

He described late Justice Kutigi as uniquely endowed Nigerian, a man of integrity who has indeed paid his dues in the service of his country in particular and humanity in general.

The Governor commiserated with the family, Nigerlites and Nigerians over the loss and prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest and make Aljannah Firdausi his final abode.

Born on December 31, 1939 in Kutigi, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, the late Kutigi served as Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Niger State before he was appointed High Court Judge.

Justice Kutigi, who joined the Supreme Court in 1992, was appointed CJN on January 30, 2007 and served in that capacity until December 30, 2009.