Justice Ayoola’s Burial Set for Nov 11

The late Hon. Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, will be buried at his home town, Ilesha on November 11, 2024.

The late Jurist passed away on August 20, 2024 at the age of 90, at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State. He was born in Ilesha, Osun State on October 27, 1933. In a statement released by his family, the ceremonies will commence with a Valedictory Court session at the Supreme Court, Abuja on November 11 at 2pm.

He attended Temidire Model School from 1939 to 1943 for his primary school, and Ilesha Grammar School from 1944 to 1950. He obtained his Law Degree from University of London and a BA in Jurisprudence from Oxford University. 

Late Justice Ayoola was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn on November 25, 1958. On his return to Nigeria, he was admitted as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on September 4, 1959, and thereafter, went into private legal practice. He was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Western Nigeria in 1976, served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in Gambia, and later became the Chief Justice of Gambia, President of the Seychelles Court of Appeals, and Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1998, where he served till 2003, when he attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

In 1966, Justice Ayoola received the UN Human Rights Fellowship Award. He was also a Judge of the Residual Special  Court’s Appeals Chamber  from its beginning to end, serving as its President from May 2004-2005. 

On his retirement from the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Ayoola was appointed as the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and at a different time, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Nigeria). 

Former Delta Deputy Governor, Prof Utuama, SAN Passes on at 77

The former Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, SAN  has died at the age of 77.

Prof Utuama, SAN taught Land Law at the University of Lagos for many years, before he was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Delta State in 1999.

He died in Warri in the early hours of Saturday, after a protracted illness.

After his stint as Delta State Attorney-General, Prof Utuama was elected Deputy Governor under the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

In a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Aho, the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, confirmed Prof Utuama’s death, and sent condolences to the family of the late Utuama. Oborevwori prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul, and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left, to bear the loss.

The statement read, “The deceased was a world-class academic scholar, whose teachings and research undertakings have contributed immensely to the Nigerian legal profession and jurisprudence”.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman, a scholar, and an astute politician, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN, who passed away in Warri on Saturday.

“I received the devastating news of his death, with great shock. He was a gentleman politician and scholar who distinguished himself in the service of his people, first as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, and later as Deputy Governor of the State.

“Throughout his service to the State and country, Prof Utuama demonstrated commitment to the unity and development of the State.”