Kutigi

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the Kutigi family on the passing of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, on Sunday morning in London.

Buhari, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday, commiserated with members of the judiciary and legal profession.

The president also condoled with the government and people of Niger State on the death of the eminent jurist, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992 and named as Chief Justice in 2007.

According to him, the late CJN will be long remembered and honoured for his visionary roles and contributions in the advances our country has made towards building a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, which is sine qua non for democracy to thrive.

He also believed that Kutigi’s “bold and articulate judicial decisions, advocacies on access to justice for all and protection of judicial independence are extant signposts for the advancement of the noble profession in the country and beyond.

The president urged all who mourned the late jurist to honour his memory by working for a better and just society.

He also enjoined them to uphold the virtues associated with him during his lifetime of long and dedicated service to the nation.

He prayed almighty God to comfort Kutigi’s family, friends and associates, and grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the death of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Kutigi, as a huge loss to the nation and the Judiciary.

PDP in statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Sunday in Abuja said it was saddened by the news of the death.

He described late Justice Kutigi as an outstanding administrator; a fearless, impartial and firm judicial officer, who upheld justice and the law in all his assignments at the bench.

“As the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kutigi ensured the independence of the judiciary as an arm of government and contributed in no little way in providing direction to our nation at very critical moments in our national development.

“Beside his incisive judgments, Nigerians will always remember Justice Kutigi’s forthrightness as the Chairman of the 2014 Constitutional Conference, which made far-reaching recommendations for the development and stability of our nation.

Ologbondiyan said that the PDP was grief-stricken that this noble Nigerian left the stage at the time his wealth of experience was needed the most.

He consoled late Justice Kutigi’s family, the government and people of Niger state and the judiciary for the irreparable loss, praying the Almighty Allah to grant him Aljanat firdausi.

Similarly, the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar said that the death of Kutigi, had robbed the country and the judiciary of one of the best legal minds whose contribution to democracy could not be easily forgotten.

Abubakar in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Paul Ibe, in Abuja said that late Kutigi was a great Justice, who avoided controversy throughout his judicial career.

He said that the commitment of the deceased to law and justice and democracy would be remembered for years to come after his death.

Abubakar recalled that as chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Kutigi demonstrated admirable wisdom and remarkable leadership in handling such delicate national assignment.

“By successfully chairing such gathering of Nigerians from diverse backgrounds,” Atiku said, “Kutigi showed a great capacity for leadership and broadminded disposition.”