My Tribute To Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa

REAL ESSENCE OF JUDICIARY: MY TRIBUTE TO LATE JUSTICE OPUTA



Greetings brethren. Obviously, our knowledge of government as a subject taught us the existing three arms of government. Yes we were taught that there are three formidable arms of government in existence; which are the Legislature, the Executive, and of course the Judiciary.

Though we’re not here or we didn’t come to this crusade to discuss the three arms of government; rather, we’re here to solely discuss the third-arm which remains “The Judiciary”. Notwithstanding, we must commence by presenting a bit of the meaning of the three arms.

The legislature makes the law, the executive implements it, whilst the judiciary otherwise known as the “judicial system” or “court system” interprets the said law. Having noted the above facts, we shall now ride on with the prime business of the day.

The Judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. It also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary generally does not make law or enforce law, but rather interprets it as well as applies it to the facts of each case. It is an arm of government that is tasked with ensuring equal justice under law. It usually consists of a court of final appeal known and recognized as the “Supreme Court” or “Constitutional Court”, alongside other lower courts such as the High Court, Customary Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrate Court and what have you.

In many jurisdictions, the judicial branch has the power to change laws through the process of “judicial review”. Suffice to say that, courts with judicial review power may annul the laws and rules of the affected state when it finds them incompatible with a higher norm such as the primary legislation, the provisions of the constitution or the International law. Judges or Justices or better still members of the Bench, constitute a critical force for the interpretation and as well the implementation of a constitution or law.

Frankly, the most enticing aspect of the aforementioned third-arm of government or the judiciary is that, it is widely noted as “The last hope of a common man”. That is; it is an institution where the final hope of a common man lies. Then who’s a “common man”? in a nutshell, a common man is an ordinary man or a person who cannot boast of any material endowment or accomplishment, but can only boast of his/her life. Let’s ride on!

In the Nigerian judicial system, you would bear me witness that there is a name that rings bell; a name that would be remembered for eternity; a name that’s not just powerful but also signifies greatness; and finally, a name that brings hope to a common man. Of course it’s no other name than Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa. It’s no longer news that the bearer of the above name, Retired Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, CFR redefined as well as refined the Nigeria’s Judicial System. In this regard, he remained one of the frontliners of the Nigerian Judiciary.

In May 2014, the entire world was reportedly informed that the aforementioned Justice has passed on. This was learnt from the official announcement that was issued and duly signed by the prominent son of the great icon in the person of Mr. Charles Oputa popularly known as “Charly Boy”. The announcement reads, “The family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years. He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon May 4, 2014 after recovering from a brief illness…” As a person, the above statement was simply a shocker to my whole self; a statement that abruptly took my person to a coma state for several seconds.

Honestly brethren, if the truth must be told then I will unequivocally tell you that the news of the sudden demise of the eminent jurist and a powerful global legal luminary wasn’t a shocker to only my person, but to the world in its entirety. Surely, the news of the passing on of a man that gave a common man not just a hope but a life called for an outcry. But we sincerely thanked God that he left “peacefully” and at a ripe age too.

They say, “Many are born great, many achieve greatness, while many have greatness entrust upon them.” Frankly, the Late Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, CFR was blessed with the three idiosyncrasies. Yes, he was born great, he achieved greatness, and he also had greatness entrusted upon him. He was a legend; he was a distinguished icon; he was truly the last hope of a common man; he was a giant of many colours; in fact, he was an enigma. The footprints he left in the Nigeria’s judicial system through his personal and remarkable effort as well as the impeccable “Oputa Panel” shall live for eternity. Needless to say; though he has gone, but we all especially Imo State where he became the pioneer Chief Justice shall live to remember him.

Who wants to dispute the fact that the late retired Justice of the Apex Court in Nigeria was never blessed with the three aforementioned qualities/endowments? A man who barely knew his parents but still rose to the peak of his career or was able to actualize his dream to the fullness was of course blessed with all manners of greatness. According to history, his father Pa Oputa Uzukwu passed on when he was barely three months old, while his mother Lolo Nwametu Oputa died when he was just six months old. Still he comfortably obtained everything in the Law profession having successfully obtained Bachelor degrees in both Economics and History respectively. No doubt, he was showered with all manners of greatness.

No wonder his burial ceremony was like an event meant for the assembly of all the notable celebrities in the whole wide world. Believe me, no one was absent at the arena, not even the cripple or the blind that hails from the Middle East. The manner in which people and of course dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion which took place at Oguta in Imo State was not unconnected to the fact that the late legend Hon Justice Dr. Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa left a legacy worthy of emulation by all and sundry; a legacy that calls for continual celebration; a legacy that even the unborn shall live to remember; above all, a legacy that I personally dream to actualize or uphold. My role model, indeed you have gone, but in my heart you shall live forever. I’ll never for a second forget you.

At this juncture, I call the governments and all well-meaning individuals across the globe to put heads together towards ensuring that the late gigantic elephant in the Nigerian judicial setting, Retired Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa is duly immortalized globally for posterity sake. It is his right, not a privilege. Think about it!


COMR. FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

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