Buhari, others mourn as ex-CJN Musdapher passes on at 75
President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, some state governors and other stakeholders have paid tributes to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the late Justice Dahiru Musdapher.
The President and other stakeholders also extolled the virtues of the late CJN, saying that he would be remembered for his contributions to the judiciary.
The late Musdapher died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 75.
Though the cause of his death was not immediately clear at press time, family members took to social media to break the news.
“My elder brother, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, former CJN passed on tonight,” Muneer Musdapher, a younger brother of the former CJN wrote on Facebook.
The jurist retired from bench five years ago on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Almost a year to his retirement, he was appointed as the CJN by former President Goodluck Jonathan, upon the exit of Justice Alysious Katsina-Alu. He was succeeded by the first female CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar in 2012.
The late Musdapher was educated at the Ahmadu Bello University and the School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London.
He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1968 and began his legal practice as one of the early private legal practitioners in Northern Nigeria.
In 1976, he was appointed as Kaduna State attorney general and commissioner for justice.
He switched to the Bench in 1979 with his appointment as a judge high court in Kano State. He was later made the Chief Judge for Kano State.
In 1983, Musdapher was appointed to the Court of Appeal where he spent 18 years, until his appointment to the Supreme Court Bench in 2003.
He hailed from a family of emigrant Kanuri scholars and jurists in Babura local government of present-day Jigawa State.
Tambuwal: Justice Musdapher was a jurists’ jurist
Meanwhile, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has condoled with the family of the late former CJN Musdapher.
In a message of condolence issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the deceased made invaluable contributions to the development of the legal profession in the country.
He said, “He was jurist’s jurist. He was a man of distinction and impeccable character. His life is an example in dedication and commitment to legal ethos, norms and values.
“In work or in retirement, Justice Musdapher exemplified all that was good and commendable about the legal profession. In the service of truth, justice and fairness, he made his mark.
“The thoughts and prayers of the people of Sokoto State are with the Musdapher family especially at this very difficult moment of grief.
“While we join you to mourn his painful departure, we are certain that you will find consolation in the fact that he had lived a worthy life, and stood as beacon of service, religious devotion and community leadership.
“Nigeria will remember him as a man who gave his best towards the development the country. His contributions have enriched legal jurisprudence. He has played his part well, and we pray to Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest,” the Governor added.
Andrew Orolua, Abuja
