The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, has mourned the death of a Supreme Court Justice, Justice Chima Nweze.
He was said to have died on Sunday at the age of 64.
However, as of the time of filing this report, the Supreme Court has yet to officially confirm his death.
When contacted, the Director of Information of the Supreme Court, Akande Festus said he was not aware of Nweze’s death.
However, the NBA president in a statement on Monday by the Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, said Nweze was an astute jurist whose decisions had shaped and impacted the nation’s law and jurisprudence.
The statement read, “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association has received with shock and dismay the news of the passing of Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which sad event occurred on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
“Hon. Justice Nweze was an astute and erudite jurist. His lordship’s numerous decisions have shaped, impacted, and developed our law and jurisprudence. He was a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer.
“The NBA President condoles with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kayode Ariwoola, GCON, the entire Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and People of Enugu State, friends and family of Hon. Justice Nweze over the demise of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship’s family and friends.”
Justice Nweze gained significant attention for his dissenting judgment in 2020, where he declared Emeka Ihedioha of the People Democratic Party as the winner of the 2019 Governorship election in Imo State.
Nweze was also the judge that declared then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Yobe North Senatorial District during the February 25 general election.
He was born on September 25, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
