JUST IN: Former CJN, Aloysious Katsina-Alu Is Dead

The former Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Aloysious Katsina-Alu has just been confirmed dead at the age of 76 years.

According to report gathered this morning, the Septuagenarian died in a hospital in Abuja after a short illness.

The news about his death was made known by Awassam Bassey, the special assistant on media to the current CJN, Walter Onnoghen.

Mr Bassey said he received a text
message from the Chief Registrar
of the Supreme Court, Hadizat Mustapha, regarding the death of
Mr Katsina-Alu on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mustapha also stated that the personal assistant to the former CJN informed her of the death of the judge via a text message.

Edward Ashiekaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and close associate of the late CJN, also confirmed the news.

He added, “It is a great loss to Nigeria as a whole. He was a great
judge for the time he lived.

“I remember the case of Ameachi-
Omehia. We celebrated it. That
was a groundbreaking decision.
Very courageous, very bold.

“You recall the circumstances that
resulted in Ameachi becoming the
governor of Rivers. Omehia was
not a candidate of the PDP.
Ameachi was the candidate.

“The election was held and Omehia was
subsequently sworn in as governor. That was a pre-election matter. So the matter finally ended up at the Supreme Court. He was very sound, Ameachi never prayed at the trial court that he should be made the governor of Rivers state in place of Omehia.

“But Justice Katsina-Alu boldly came out and said, no! There must be a remedy. Though he did not ask for it, a consequential order had to be made. That was the first time a sitting governor was removed. And somebody who didn’t even contest, his name was not on the ballot paper was sworn in as the governor.

“Justice Katsina-Alu chaired the panel that gave that landmark judgment.”

Mr Katsina-Alu was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1968, a year after his call to the British barbin 1967.

He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1998.