Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, a retired Supreme Court Justice and former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is dead.
Musa Aliyu, ICPC chairman, announced Ayoola’s death in a statement on Wednesday.
Ayoola, who was the second ICPC chairman, died on Tuesday at the age of 91.
He served as the commission’s chairman between 2005 and 2010, after succeeding Mustapha Akanbi.
Ayoola served the country in various capacities. He was appointed as a high court judge in 1976 and rose through the ranks to the supreme court.
He retired as a justice of the nation’s apex court in 2003, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.
He was born on October 27, 1933, in Ilesha, Osun state.
Ayoola attended Temidire Model School from 1939 to 1943 for his primary education and Ilesha Grammar School from 1944 to 1950 for his secondary education.
Ayoola obtained a law degree in 1957.
He studied at several institutions, including the University of London and Oxford University London.
In 2002, the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) appointed Ayoola as a judge of the appeals chamber of the special court for Sierra Leone.
The court was set up to try those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone civil war.
He was president of the court from 2004 to 2005.
In a tribute, the ICPC chairman said Ayoola’s death “marks the end of an illustrious chapter in the history of Nigeria’s judiciary and the broader legal profession”.
“A jurist of international repute, his legal career spanned over five decades, encompassing private practice and notable tenures on the Bench both in Nigeria and abroad,” the statement reads.
“His exceptional integrity, brilliant legal analysis, incisive judgments, and steadfast commitment to justice distinguished him as a towering figure in the legal profession.”
Aliyu said during his days as the ICPC chairman, Ayoola was “unwavering in his commitment to the fight against corruption—a cause he championed with vigour and a profound sense of duty”.
He said Ayoola’s contributions to the Nigerian judiciary and his international engagements, including his service as chief judge of the Gambia and his role at the special court for Sierra Leone, “reflect his dedication to upholding the rule of law and justice globally”.
“Justice Ayoola’s exemplary life and work have left an indelible mark on the legal profession, inspiring generations of legal practitioners and public servants,” he said.
“As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary jurist, we also celebrate a life well-lived, one dedicated to the pursuit of justice, fairness, and the betterment of society.
“The ICPC and the entire nation have lost a venerable elder statesman. However, his legacy will continue to guide and inspire our ongoing efforts in the battle against corruption, providing hope for a more just and fair society.”
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