Nation’s Judiciary Mourns as Two Judges Pass On

•NBA, Obaseki, others grieve

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The judiciary was yesterday thrown into mourning following the passing of two judges: Justice Centus Chima Nweze of the Supreme Court and Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong of the Federal High Court.

Director, Information of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, confirmed the death of Justice Nweze, yesterday afternoon, that of Justice Hoommuk was announced by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mr Hassan Sulaiman.

In a statement in Abuja, the Chief Registrar, disclosed that the judge who hailed from Plateau State died on Sunday after fallen ill for a short while.

The statement read: “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our own, Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong, a judge of the Federal High Court, who passed away on July 30, 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness in Abuja. We will miss him more than words can express.”

Similarly, Akande in a different statement, noted that Justice Nweze had died on Saturday, also, after a brief illness, adding that the late apex court jurist would be remembered for his immense contributions to the nation’s jurisprudence.

“It is with heart full of grief that we announce the sudden death of our amiable brother and colleague, Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, after a brief illness.

“Justice Chima Nweze gave a sterling account of himself in the discharge of his official duties at the Supreme Court. He had largely made himself a pliable legal personality that had diligently sunk a pool of enduring legal knowledge and experience in all his judicial pronouncements.”

Eulogizing Nweze, the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), while describing him as an astute and erudite jurist, remarked that, “His lordship’s numerous decisions have shaped, impacted and developed our law and jurisprudence. He was a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer.”

National President of the NBA, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN however, consoled the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, GCON, the entire Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and People of Enugu State, friends and family of Justice Nweze over the demise of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship’s family and friends.

Also, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of Nweze, describing him as a quintessential and intellectual jurist, whose pronouncements on the bench advanced the cause of justice delivery in Nigeria.

In a statement, the governor said, “I received with rude shock the sad news of the passing of Justice Chima Centus Nweze, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Nweze, one of Nigeria’s most intellectual and revered jurists was a man of great wisdom and insights, who served the country with his rare knowledge and understanding of the law, advancing the course of justice delivery and contributing immensely to the unity and development of the Country.

“His demise leaves a huge gap in the Supreme Court considering his experience and dedication to interpretation of the constitution. He will be sorely missed.”