SAN FRANCISCO, January 25, (THEWILL) – The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, received the remains of former CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday.
THEWILL recalls that Justice Musdapher died in a hospital in London in the early hours of Tuesday.
The late Justice Musdapher who died at the age of 75, served as the CJN from August 29, 2011, to July 16, 2012. He had prior to his elevation to the apex court bench, served as the Chief Judge of Kano State from 1979 to 1985, before he was promoted to the Court of Appeal where he served from 1985 till 2003.
According to a statement by Awassam Bassey, media aide to Justice Onnoghen, the CJN arrived the airport at 4.30am and met with the family of the deceased at 5.45am.
Justice Onnoghen was said to have delivered a condolence message on behalf of himself, his family and the Nigerian Judiciary to the late jurist’s family and the people of Kano State.
“The Hon. CJN advised the family to be consoled that the late jurist had the honour and privilege of serving his country, Nigeria, at the highest level of the Judicial arm of government, and accept his demise as the will of God,” the statememt read.
The CJN has also cancelled the planned inauguration of six committees in the National Judicial Council (NJC), billed for Thursday, to allow management and staff of the apex court to pay their last respect to the departed jurist.
Justice Onnoghen had also directed that all flags within the Supreme Court and all Judicial institutions be flown at half mast till the end of fidda’u which is the seven-day prayer in honour of the deceased.
