On Monday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described the late Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Ayoola as a quintessential judicial icon.

Ms Kekere-Ekun stated this during a valedictory court session in honour of the late Justice Ayoola in Abuja, who died in his sleep on August 20, at 90.

She said the late justice of the apex court bestroded the judicial landscape with honour and great panache.

“He believed strongly that a judge must decide cases without fear or favour, affection or ill will. He was courteous to all, yet his politeness never invited disrespect. He always endeavoured to deploy plain, precise and pointed language in all his judgments,” said Ms Kekere-Ekun. “He chose his words with uncommon precision while stating the facts precisely. The reasoning was always logical, following from one point to another, as he often considered rambling judgment as a bundle of confusion.”

Ms Kekere-Ekun added, “Just like the Greek philosopher Socrates, Justice Ayoola believed strongly that a good Judge must have the capacity to hear courteously, answer wisely, consider soberly and decide impartially. He was such a highly cerebral judicial colossus that had offered the best of his intellect to the advancement of the legal profession through his several years of discerning adjudications and unprecedented prowess.”

The CJN also noted that Mr Ayoola always endeavoured to use plain, precise, and pointed language in all his judgments.

“He was such a highly cerebral judicial colossus that had offered the best of his intellect to the advancement of the legal profession through his several years of discerning adjudications and unprecedented prowess,” she said.

Mr Ayoola was born in Ilesha, Osun, on October 27, 1933. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on September 4, 1959, the same year he started his private legal practice in Ibadan. 

(NAN)