— ‘Those Who Work Towards A Glorious Future Hardly Ever Miss The
Mark ‘— Akpata Extols Justice Rhodes-Vivour
— Says Bar Ready To Work With Bench.
— Says Reports About His Concerns During The Screening Exercise By
The NJC Were Largely Taken Out Of Context
![image](/2021/03/NBAWF-IWD-1.jpg")
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association [NBA], Mr. Olumide
Akpata has stated that the statement attributed to him with regards
the screening process for Judicial nominees to the court of appeal
was taken out of context, though the statement itself was not
untrue.
![image](/2021/01/payne-alex.jpg")
Akpata, who stated this while presenting an address at the
valedictory court session held on Monday, the 22nd day of March,
2021 in Honor of the Hon. Mr. Justice Olubode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC,
CFR; noted that prior to the publication of the story on tabloid
news platforms, he had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who
also doubles as Chairperson of the National Judicial Council [NJC],
to express his worry and displeasure.
Apparently feeling the bad blood created by the publication,
especially between the NBA and the National Judicial Council (NJC),
Akpata assured that the relationship between the bar and the bench
would be continually nurtured and sustained.
“Let me use this opportunity to touch on certain statements
attributed to me that have unfortunately found its way into the
social media space and become subject of public
discourse.
“On March 18, 2021, as the President of the NBA, I chaired a
meeting of the National Executive Committee (NBA-N EC) of the NBA
held in Uyo, the Akwa lbom State Capital. “At that meeting, as is
customary, I reported my overall activities including my
participation at the last NJC interview meeting (of the recently
appointed justices of the Court of Appeal).
“I informed the meeting that during this exercise, I expressed
concerns about the competence of some of the candidates that were
interviewed and the process that led to the recommendation of
twenty (20) candidates to the NJC for appointment as Justices of
the Court of Appeal.
“As I mentioned earlier, the forgoing formed part of my report
to the NBA-N EC, a body to which, as President of the NBA, I am
accountable. “Unfortunately, one of the members of NBA-NEC rushed
to the online blogs and published his own version of that statement
and in the process quoted me, not necessarily incorrectly, but
definitely out of context.
“My Lord, this action by a member of NBA-NEC who was entitled to
be in attendance at the meeting is one that I have no control
over.
“My Lords, the relationship that exists between the Bar and the
Bench is one that must be continually nurtured and sustained and My
Lords can rest assured that this is what the NBA yearns and stands
for.
“On behalf of the NBA, I want to reassure My Lords of our
commitment to providing any level of support to enrich the quality
of the Bench. This is our constituency and we will stop at nothing
to protect it” the NBA President assured.
Read his full speech below
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION, MR. OLUMIDE AKPATA, AT THE VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA IN HONOUR OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE
OLABODE RHODES-VIVOUR, CFR, RETIRING
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA.
DATE: MONDAY 22ND MARCH 2021
VENUE: THE MAIN COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT OF
NIGERIA
- PROTOCOLS
- I am grateful to Your Lordship, the Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Honourable Justice Dr. Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, CFR, for the
opportunity to address this Special Session being held in honour of
Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, CFR, who retires from
this court today. I am particularly glad that no time was allotted
to me for this address vide the letter inviting me to
deliver this address, even though I immediately cautioned myself to
say all I have to say within a reasonable time, and as My Lords
already know, this Court defined reasonable time in Effiom
v. State [1995] 1 NWLR
(Pt. 373) 507, as such length of time as may fairly,
properly and reasonably be allowed or required, having regard to
the nature of the act or duty to be carried out or the nature of
the subject-matter and also to the attending circumstances. In
other words, given the circumstances, the dictum cited easily tells
me to take all the time in the world. - I speak about time because, the embodiment of brilliance,
excellence, integrity, and diligence that My Lord, Honourable
Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour represents, transcends time. I should
therefore apologize in advance if I fail to round off in good time
even though I will do my best to stay within the bounds of what
this Honourable Court has defined as reasonable time. - On being invited to deliver an address at this Special Session,
I wondered how best to address the Court. Aside from knowing My
Lord and keenly following his career trajectory, being a worthy
mentor to many, I have spent the last few days indulging myself in
the consumption of judgments delivered by My Lord. What better way
to speak of a man than through his own words? - It is easy to see that My Lord has always been a person of
clarity and uprightness who would stop at nothing in his pursuit of
the truth. I am here reminded about My Lord’s dictum in
Ndayako v. Mohammed [2006] 17 NWLR (Pt. 1009) 679,
where My Lord as Justice of the Court of Appeal said, and I quote:
“Counsel is allowed to urge the semblance of the truth, while the
court must at all times pursue the truth.” - Upholding truth has seen My Lord deliver dissenting judgments,
even in his early days as a Justice of the Supreme Court, standing
alone on what he believes should be the decision of the Court and
finding the courage and conviction to hand down a dissenting
opinion as was the case in Ugwuanyi v. Nicon Insurance
Plc. [2013] 11 NWLR (Pt. 1366)
615, where My Lord held inter alia, that words
that have been judicially interpreted by the Supreme Court and
similar courts outside the shores of this country must be
consistently followed in subsequent matters with similar facts
pattern. - In reviewing the first few paragraphs of my address at the
draft stage, I found that I had inadvertently referred to My Lord
in the third person pronoun and quickly caught myself, remembering
that My Lord had stressed the need for Counsel to always address
Judges courteously in Sanni v. Okene L.G. [2005] 14 NWLR
(Pt. 944) 60; preferring phrases like “learned judge”
“trial judge” “Honourable Justice” etc. It then dawned on me, that
many of My Lord’s admonitions will remain with us for a very long
time, and My Lord, though leaving the Bench today, will continue to
speak through the very clever words of his many judgments. - My Lord was not only excellent in his ways during his time on
the Bench, he demanded same of Counsel. In Oshiomhole v.
Airhiavbere [2013] 7 NWLR (Pt. 1353) 398, My Lord, without
mincing words, said as follows: “The standards expected are for
Counsel in such a situation to advise his client accordingly and
not waste judicial time by coming all the way to this Court to see
if he has a chance.” - Even aspirants to the Bar, will not escape the brilliance of My
Lord while taking Legal Methods 101 and 102. They will see that My
Lord elucidated the Lady Justitia in very clear terms in the case
of Wassah v. Kara [2015] 4 NWLR (Pt. 1449) 374,
thus: “Law is blind. It has no eyes. It cannot see. That explains
why a statue of a woman with her eyes covered can be found in front
of some High Courts. On the contrary, justice is not blind. It has
many eyes, it sees, and sees very well.” - My Lord even spoke to the ills in society and his words on
police brutality finds credence today, especially having regard to
the #ENDSARS protests which rocked this country recently and left
wanton destruction in its wake. In Oyakhere v. State [2005]
15 NWLR (Pt. 947) 159, My Lord, while at the Court of
Appeal stated thus: “The appellant and the two other convicts, all
policemen turned their guns on defenseless proletariat, a people
they are to protect. The attack was ferocious and indiscriminate,
appalling and indescribable, clearly a wicked and despicable act.
It is about time something is done to curtail the excesses of
trigger-happy policemen. The police authorities must go the extra
mile to ensure that constant checks are carried out on policemen
who carry guns, and these checks should include constant
examination by a psychiatrist.” These words are still true today
and the recommendations proffered by My Lord are still very much
relevant, even after sixteen (16) years. - My Lords, I could go on and on about the cases decided by My
Lord Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, including the
notable ones which are not included in this address. I have
carefully (and may be ‘selfishly’) selected those that are suitable
for the purpose of this address which is to place on record and to
showcase the brilliance, erudition, intellect, diligence and
quality of the man that we have come to honour today. - Let me use this opportunity to touch on certain statements
attributed to me that have unfortunately found its way into the
social media space and become subject of public discourse. - On March 18, 2021, as the President of the NBA, I chaired a
meeting of the National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) of the NBA
held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital. At that meeting, as is
customary, I reported my overall activities including my
participation at the last NJC interview meeting (of the recently
appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal). - I informed the meeting that during this exercise I expressed
concerns about the competence of some of the candidates that were
interviewed and the process that led to the recommendation of
twenty (20) candidates to the NJC for appointment as Justices of
the Court of Appeal. - I further informed the meeting that on March 10, 2021, I wrote
a letter to My Lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in his capacity
as Chairman of the NJC, expressing these concerns. The NBA remains
grateful to My Lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria and indeed to the
NJC that sequel to that letter, two of the candidates nominated for
appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal were later dropped.
I remain optimistic that in addition to the foregoing the NJC will
undertake a holistic review of the process of appointing
Judges/Justices of our superior courts - As I mentioned earlier, the foregoing formed part of my report
to the NBA-NEC, a body to which, as President of the NBA I am
accountable. Unfortunately, one of the members of NBA-NEC rushed to
the online blogs and published his own version of that statement
and in the process quoted me, not necessarily incorrectly, but
definitely out of context. My Lord, this action by a member of
NBA-NEC who was entitled to be in attendance at the meeting is one
that I have no control over. - My Lords, the relationship that exists between the Bar and the
Bench is one that must be continually nurtured and sustained and My
Lords can be rest assured that this is what the NBA yearns and
stands for. - My Lords will however agree with me that the Judiciary needs
more and more (and not less) of stellar individuals like My Lord,
Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour in this Court and in the
Courts below and if this is to be achieved, appointments on merit
must trump any other consideration. - On behalf of the NBA, I want to re-assure My Lords of our
commitment to providing any level of support to enrich the quality
of the Bench. This is our constituency and we will stop at nothing
to protect it.
CONCLUSION
- When I looked at My Lord’s Curriculum Vitae, attached to the
letter inviting me to address the Court, all I saw was the power of
focus, and a career trajectory that commenced as a pupil state
Counsel, and culminated on the Bench of the apex Court in the land.
My Lord has been about the business of law all through his adult
life and he never looked back neither did he take a detour. - I should probably pause to advise learned colleagues at the
Bar, to ensure they take the business of law seriously, and accord
it the devotion it requires. Opportunities for elevation come every
now and then and should not meet colleagues in positions where they
cannot take advantage of the same. A legal practitioner should not
be short-listed for judicial appointment, only to have such
nomination ridiculed by endless petitions of incompetence or of no
substantive evidence of any active practice. - I have asked myself what the 25 years old Olabode Rhodes-Vivour
(if My Lord will kindly permit me) saw ahead of him in 1976 when he
was only a pupil State Counsel. Did he know he would sit on the
Bench of the foremost Court in the land? It is true that no one
knows tomorrow. However, My Lord, through his strides, shows us
that those who work towards a glorious future hardly ever miss the
mark. - My Lord is also a very devoted family man who is very
supportive of his family. It is worthy to note that not only did My
Lord work very hard to reach the pinnacle of his career, he has
also supported his dear wife, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN, to
excel in her own career. This is indeed a rare and very commendable
attribute. - So, what next for My Lord? So far, it has been an impressive
and awe-inspiring career, and I have no doubt that we have not seen
all there is to see about My Lord. It is usually rare for men of My
Lord’s caliber to fade into oblivion after reaching the peak of
their career. Aside the fact that My Lord’s name is already written
in gold on the pages of history and the additional fact that My
Lord’s name would eternally appear on the pages of law reports, I
am convinced that we will continually hear of My Lord achieving
even greater feats. - I say this because My Lord hardly looks tired. My Lord’s gaze
is set as one who is watching out for the next target or goal to
achieve. It is left for the rest of us to just sit back and watch
out for what My Lord does next. - I thank My Lord for the days of service he has given to the
Judiciary. We are all grateful that My Lord spent all his years of
service serving the Nation. Obviously, My Lord could have earned
more by going into private practice or serving in-house in some
multinationals, but My Lord chose the path of sacrifice. As I join
others in wishing my Lord a very happy 70th birthday, I
will also like to wish him the very best in his future endeavours
because this is definitely not the end but the beginning of greater
things to come. - I cannot close this address without offering, on behalf of the
Nigerian Bar Association, our condolences to My Lord the CJN, other
Justices of the Supreme Court and the immediate family of the late
Hon. Mr. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta CFR, who took a final but
permanent bow on March 7, 2021, barely 3 (three) weeks to his
70th birthday and mandatory retirement from the Supreme
Court Bench. We pray the good Lord will comfort My Lords and indeed
members of his immediate and extended families. - I thank My Lords for this privilege for which I am much
obliged. - May my Noble Lords be pleased.
Signed.
OLUMIDE AKPATA
President
— ‘Those Who Work Towards A Glorious Future Hardly Ever Miss The
Mark ‘— Akpata Extols Justice Rhodes-Vivour
— Says Bar Ready To Work With Bench.
— Says Reports About His Concerns During The Screening Exercise By
The NJC Were Largely Taken Out Of Context
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association [NBA], Mr. Olumide
Akpata has stated that the statement attributed to him with regards
the screening process for Judicial nominees to the court of appeal
was taken out of context, though the statement itself was not
untrue.
Akpata, who stated this while presenting an address at the
valedictory court session held on Monday, the 22nd day of March,
2021 in Honor of the Hon. Mr. Justice Olubode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC,
CFR; noted that prior to the publication of the story on tabloid
news platforms, he had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who
also doubles as Chairperson of the National Judicial Council [NJC],
to express his worry and displeasure.
Apparently feeling the bad blood created by the publication,
especially between the NBA and the National Judicial Council (NJC),
Akpata assured that the relationship between the bar and the bench
would be continually nurtured and sustained.
“Let me use this opportunity to touch on certain statements
attributed to me that have unfortunately found its way into the
social media space and become subject of public
discourse.
“On March 18, 2021, as the President of the NBA, I chaired a
meeting of the National Executive Committee (NBA-N EC) of the NBA
held in Uyo, the Akwa lbom State Capital. “At that meeting, as is
customary, I reported my overall activities including my
participation at the last NJC interview meeting (of the recently
appointed justices of the Court of Appeal).
“I informed the meeting that during this exercise, I expressed
concerns about the competence of some of the candidates that were
interviewed and the process that led to the recommendation of
twenty (20) candidates to the NJC for appointment as Justices of
the Court of Appeal.
“As I mentioned earlier, the forgoing formed part of my report
to the NBA-N EC, a body to which, as President of the NBA, I am
accountable. “Unfortunately, one of the members of NBA-NEC rushed
to the online blogs and published his own version of that statement
and in the process quoted me, not necessarily incorrectly, but
definitely out of context.
“My Lord, this action by a member of NBA-NEC who was entitled to
be in attendance at the meeting is one that I have no control
over.
“My Lords, the relationship that exists between the Bar and the
Bench is one that must be continually nurtured and sustained and My
Lords can rest assured that this is what the NBA yearns and stands
for.
“On behalf of the NBA, I want to reassure My Lords of our
commitment to providing any level of support to enrich the quality
of the Bench. This is our constituency and we will stop at nothing
to protect it” the NBA President assured.
Read his full speech below
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION, MR. OLUMIDE AKPATA, AT THE VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA IN HONOUR OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE
OLABODE RHODES-VIVOUR, CFR, RETIRING
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA.
DATE: MONDAY 22ND MARCH 2021
VENUE: THE MAIN COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT OF
NIGERIA
- PROTOCOLS
- I am grateful to Your Lordship, the Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Honourable Justice Dr. Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, CFR, for the
opportunity to address this Special Session being held in honour of
Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, CFR, who retires from
this court today. I am particularly glad that no time was allotted
to me for this address vide the letter inviting me to
deliver this address, even though I immediately cautioned myself to
say all I have to say within a reasonable time, and as My Lords
already know, this Court defined reasonable time in Effiom
v. State [1995] 1 NWLR
(Pt. 373) 507, as such length of time as may fairly,
properly and reasonably be allowed or required, having regard to
the nature of the act or duty to be carried out or the nature of
the subject-matter and also to the attending circumstances. In
other words, given the circumstances, the dictum cited easily tells
me to take all the time in the world. - I speak about time because, the embodiment of brilliance,
excellence, integrity, and diligence that My Lord, Honourable
Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour represents, transcends time. I should
therefore apologize in advance if I fail to round off in good time
even though I will do my best to stay within the bounds of what
this Honourable Court has defined as reasonable time. - On being invited to deliver an address at this Special Session,
I wondered how best to address the Court. Aside from knowing My
Lord and keenly following his career trajectory, being a worthy
mentor to many, I have spent the last few days indulging myself in
the consumption of judgments delivered by My Lord. What better way
to speak of a man than through his own words? - It is easy to see that My Lord has always been a person of
clarity and uprightness who would stop at nothing in his pursuit of
the truth. I am here reminded about My Lord’s dictum in
Ndayako v. Mohammed [2006] 17 NWLR (Pt. 1009) 679,
where My Lord as Justice of the Court of Appeal said, and I quote:
“Counsel is allowed to urge the semblance of the truth, while the
court must at all times pursue the truth.” - Upholding truth has seen My Lord deliver dissenting judgments,
even in his early days as a Justice of the Supreme Court, standing
alone on what he believes should be the decision of the Court and
finding the courage and conviction to hand down a dissenting
opinion as was the case in Ugwuanyi v. Nicon Insurance
Plc. [2013] 11 NWLR (Pt. 1366)
615, where My Lord held inter alia, that words
that have been judicially interpreted by the Supreme Court and
similar courts outside the shores of this country must be
consistently followed in subsequent matters with similar facts
pattern. - In reviewing the first few paragraphs of my address at the
draft stage, I found that I had inadvertently referred to My Lord
in the third person pronoun and quickly caught myself, remembering
that My Lord had stressed the need for Counsel to always address
Judges courteously in Sanni v. Okene L.G. [2005] 14 NWLR
(Pt. 944) 60; preferring phrases like “learned judge”
“trial judge” “Honourable Justice” etc. It then dawned on me, that
many of My Lord’s admonitions will remain with us for a very long
time, and My Lord, though leaving the Bench today, will continue to
speak through the very clever words of his many judgments. - My Lord was not only excellent in his ways during his time on
the Bench, he demanded same of Counsel. In Oshiomhole v.
Airhiavbere [2013] 7 NWLR (Pt. 1353) 398, My Lord, without
mincing words, said as follows: “The standards expected are for
Counsel in such a situation to advise his client accordingly and
not waste judicial time by coming all the way to this Court to see
if he has a chance.” - Even aspirants to the Bar, will not escape the brilliance of My
Lord while taking Legal Methods 101 and 102. They will see that My
Lord elucidated the Lady Justitia in very clear terms in the case
of Wassah v. Kara [2015] 4 NWLR (Pt. 1449) 374,
thus: “Law is blind. It has no eyes. It cannot see. That explains
why a statue of a woman with her eyes covered can be found in front
of some High Courts. On the contrary, justice is not blind. It has
many eyes, it sees, and sees very well.” - My Lord even spoke to the ills in society and his words on
police brutality finds credence today, especially having regard to
the #ENDSARS protests which rocked this country recently and left
wanton destruction in its wake. In Oyakhere v. State [2005]
15 NWLR (Pt. 947) 159, My Lord, while at the Court of
Appeal stated thus: “The appellant and the two other convicts, all
policemen turned their guns on defenseless proletariat, a people
they are to protect. The attack was ferocious and indiscriminate,
appalling and indescribable, clearly a wicked and despicable act.
It is about time something is done to curtail the excesses of
trigger-happy policemen. The police authorities must go the extra
mile to ensure that constant checks are carried out on policemen
who carry guns, and these checks should include constant
examination by a psychiatrist.” These words are still true today
and the recommendations proffered by My Lord are still very much
relevant, even after sixteen (16) years. - My Lords, I could go on and on about the cases decided by My
Lord Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, including the
notable ones which are not included in this address. I have
carefully (and may be ‘selfishly’) selected those that are suitable
for the purpose of this address which is to place on record and to
showcase the brilliance, erudition, intellect, diligence and
quality of the man that we have come to honour today. - Let me use this opportunity to touch on certain statements
attributed to me that have unfortunately found its way into the
social media space and become subject of public discourse. - On March 18, 2021, as the President of the NBA, I chaired a
meeting of the National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) of the NBA
held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital. At that meeting, as is
customary, I reported my overall activities including my
participation at the last NJC interview meeting (of the recently
appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal). - I informed the meeting that during this exercise I expressed
concerns about the competence of some of the candidates that were
interviewed and the process that led to the recommendation of
twenty (20) candidates to the NJC for appointment as Justices of
the Court of Appeal. - I further informed the meeting that on March 10, 2021, I wrote
a letter to My Lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in his capacity
as Chairman of the NJC, expressing these concerns. The NBA remains
grateful to My Lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria and indeed to the
NJC that sequel to that letter, two of the candidates nominated for
appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal were later dropped.
I remain optimistic that in addition to the foregoing the NJC will
undertake a holistic review of the process of appointing
Judges/Justices of our superior courts - As I mentioned earlier, the foregoing formed part of my report
to the NBA-NEC, a body to which, as President of the NBA I am
accountable. Unfortunately, one of the members of NBA-NEC rushed to
the online blogs and published his own version of that statement
and in the process quoted me, not necessarily incorrectly, but
definitely out of context. My Lord, this action by a member of
NBA-NEC who was entitled to be in attendance at the meeting is one
that I have no control over. - My Lords, the relationship that exists between the Bar and the
Bench is one that must be continually nurtured and sustained and My
Lords can be rest assured that this is what the NBA yearns and
stands for. - My Lords will however agree with me that the Judiciary needs
more and more (and not less) of stellar individuals like My Lord,
Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour in this Court and in the
Courts below and if this is to be achieved, appointments on merit
must trump any other consideration. - On behalf of the NBA, I want to re-assure My Lords of our
commitment to providing any level of support to enrich the quality
of the Bench. This is our constituency and we will stop at nothing
to protect it.
CONCLUSION
- When I looked at My Lord’s Curriculum Vitae, attached to the
letter inviting me to address the Court, all I saw was the power of
focus, and a career trajectory that commenced as a pupil state
Counsel, and culminated on the Bench of the apex Court in the land.
My Lord has been about the business of law all through his adult
life and he never looked back neither did he take a detour. - I should probably pause to advise learned colleagues at the
Bar, to ensure they take the business of law seriously, and accord
it the devotion it requires. Opportunities for elevation come every
now and then and should not meet colleagues in positions where they
cannot take advantage of the same. A legal practitioner should not
be short-listed for judicial appointment, only to have such
nomination ridiculed by endless petitions of incompetence or of no
substantive evidence of any active practice. - I have asked myself what the 25 years old Olabode Rhodes-Vivour
(if My Lord will kindly permit me) saw ahead of him in 1976 when he
was only a pupil State Counsel. Did he know he would sit on the
Bench of the foremost Court in the land? It is true that no one
knows tomorrow. However, My Lord, through his strides, shows us
that those who work towards a glorious future hardly ever miss the
mark. - My Lord is also a very devoted family man who is very
supportive of his family. It is worthy to note that not only did My
Lord work very hard to reach the pinnacle of his career, he has
also supported his dear wife, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN, to
excel in her own career. This is indeed a rare and very commendable
attribute. - So, what next for My Lord? So far, it has been an impressive
and awe-inspiring career, and I have no doubt that we have not seen
all there is to see about My Lord. It is usually rare for men of My
Lord’s caliber to fade into oblivion after reaching the peak of
their career. Aside the fact that My Lord’s name is already written
in gold on the pages of history and the additional fact that My
Lord’s name would eternally appear on the pages of law reports, I
am convinced that we will continually hear of My Lord achieving
even greater feats. - I say this because My Lord hardly looks tired. My Lord’s gaze
is set as one who is watching out for the next target or goal to
achieve. It is left for the rest of us to just sit back and watch
out for what My Lord does next. - I thank My Lord for the days of service he has given to the
Judiciary. We are all grateful that My Lord spent all his years of
service serving the Nation. Obviously, My Lord could have earned
more by going into private practice or serving in-house in some
multinationals, but My Lord chose the path of sacrifice. As I join
others in wishing my Lord a very happy 70th birthday, I
will also like to wish him the very best in his future endeavours
because this is definitely not the end but the beginning of greater
things to come. - I cannot close this address without offering, on behalf of the
Nigerian Bar Association, our condolences to My Lord the CJN, other
Justices of the Supreme Court and the immediate family of the late
Hon. Mr. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta CFR, who took a final but
permanent bow on March 7, 2021, barely 3 (three) weeks to his
70th birthday and mandatory retirement from the Supreme
Court Bench. We pray the good Lord will comfort My Lords and indeed
members of his immediate and extended families. - I thank My Lords for this privilege for which I am much
obliged. - May my Noble Lords be pleased.
Signed.
OLUMIDE AKPATA
President