The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has charged judges and Nigerians in positions of authority to use their position to impact positively on their fellow human beings for the sake of posterity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun who gave the charge on Wednesday at a valedictory court session in honour of the late Supreme Court Justice, Justice Stanley Shenko Alagoa at the Supreme Court complex said, all human beings must strive to leave behind good legacies that will make people remember their lives and times for good.
The CJN said that although the curtain has fallen on the earthly journey of the late Supreme Court Justice, she, however, noted with joy that the legacy of Justice on earth remains etched in the sand of time for the coming ones to emulate.
“His lordship’s passing reminds us all that life is fleeting and we must strive to leave behind footprints worthy of remembrance. Even in death, Hon Justice Alagoa’s legacy endures as a beacon of inspiration, wisdom and unwavering integrity. His fatherly love, humility and dedication to justice have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
The CJN said Justice Alagoa was a towering figure, not only in stature but also in legal acumen adding that the late Justice of the Supreme Court was a man of remarkable intellect and philosophical dept whose judicial pronouncements were marked by methodical reasoning and brilliance.
“He was a rare breed, devoid of arrogance and elitism, embodying simplicity and dignity. A courageous and dogged fighter for his beliefs,” the CJN said and charged the family of the deceased to maintain and sustain the good legacies left behind by the late Justice.
Also speaking at the valedictory court session, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN described the late Justice Alagoa as a firm and courageous jurist who exemplified the importance of using the instruments of law in improving governance and driving societal reforms.
The AGF said although the tenure of the late Justice Alagoa was brief, it was impactful as his contributions and bold statement have continued to elicit national discourse from legal, political and social commentators to date.
Fagbemi commended the CJN for holding the special court session to celebrate the late Justice Alagoa who, he said transversed the length and breadth of Nigeria in service to his father’s land.
Justice Alagoa, an indigene of Ogbolamabiri Nembe in Bayelsa state was born on October 4, 1943, and passed away on December 5, 2024.
In his own remarks at the occasion, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN called on Nigerians to honour the late jurist by rededicating themselves to the values he held which include, justice, integrity and the unwavering pursuit of the rule of law.
The NBA boss specifically prayed Nigerians to strive to uphold the high standard set by Justice Alagoa by continuing to work passionately for the general development of the country.
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