The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the pressing challenges facing the judiciary, stressing that concrete efforts are underway to resolve them.
Justice Kekere-Ekun made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a valedictory session held in honour of the late Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Ogwuegbu.
In her remarks, the CJN underscored the urgent need for reforms aimed at restoring and strengthening public trust in the judiciary.
“This moment of tribute is also a moment of reflection. The challenges facing our judiciary – delays in justice delivery, dwindling public confidence, and resource constraints – are not insurmountable.
“We are currently working very hard to make a change. Hon. Justice Ogwuegbu’s life offers a blueprint for renewal: integrity, learning, service, and courage. Let us honour his memory not only with words but with a renewed commitment to the ideals he so nobly upheld,” she said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun described Justice Ogwuegbu’s death as a great loss to the nation, noting that the judiciary has lost one of its most distinguished minds and illustrious exemplars.
She said Justice Ogwuegbu was more than a judge—he was a torchbearer of justice whose legal career spanned over four decades, marked by unwavering dedication to the bench.
Praising his legacy, the CJN said his life’s work was defined by fierce loyalty to the Constitution, deep respect for the rule of law, and an unshakable belief in justice as the bedrock of society.
“He was a jurist who wrote with precision, reasoned with rigour, and adjudicated with fairness,” she said, adding that his judgments did not only settle disputes but also elevated jurisprudence, spoke to the nation’s conscience, and strengthened democratic values.
“As a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, His Lordship contributed significantly to shaping our modern legal landscape. His deep insight and fearless reasoning were particularly evident in cases that advanced constitutional governance, individual liberties, and the devolution of powers,” she noted.
Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu passed away on October 28, 2024, at the age of 91.
The CJN noted that from his early days in private practice in 1962 to his various judicial roles—including Magistrate, Senior Magistrate, High Court Judge, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and ultimately Justice of the Supreme Court—Justice Ogwuegbu exemplified judicial excellence.
In December 1999, he was seconded by the Federal Government to serve on the Supreme Court bench of The Gambia. He later returned to Nigeria to continue his service at the Supreme Court until his retirement on March 16, 2003, upon reaching the constitutional retirement age of 70.