Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) are among dignitaries expected at the events marking the centenary of former Justice of the Supreme Court, the late Chukwunweike Idigbe.
Nnamdi Oragwu, Partner and Head of Litigation at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, a firm founded by late Justice Idigbe, said in a statement that the 100th anniversary events would be year-long.
“Our late founder served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1964 to 1967 and from 1975 to 1983.
“He is remembered as a distinguished jurist, a fearless advocate for justice, and a champion of the rule of law.
“He was renowned for his landmark judgments, which continue to shape the legal landscape of Nigeria to this day.
“Justice Idigbe epitomises the gold standard of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, several of his decisions remain a major point of reference in present day cases,” the statement said.
On May 3, Chief Justice Ariwoola will launch the Justice Idigbe Faculty of Law in Veritas University in Abuja.
The Justice Idigbe Symposium, to be held on May 4, will feature front-burner discussions on landmark judgments of Justice Idigbe and his impact on present-day jurisprudence.
The speakers include Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Prof Abiola Sanni (SAN), Prof Obiora Okafor, Maikyau, and Prof Azinge.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Ekong Sampson, will speak on “The Life and Legacy of Honourable Justice Idigbe – 100 years of a Gold Standard for Judges in Nigeria.”
Oragwu, Chairman of the 100 Years of Justice Idigbe Planning Committee, said the firm would be celebrating Justice Idigbe’s life and legacy with six major events.
At the commissioning of Justice Idigbe Faculty of Law in Veritas University on May 3, Justice Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Mr. Cosmas Enweluzo (SAN), and C.V.C. Ihekweazu (SAN) would also be speaking.
Other events include the commissioning of the Punuka Childcare Centre by the Punuka Foundation on July 30, 2023 in Lagos.
A Public Lecture/ Valedictory Court Session will hold in Asaba, Delta State, on August 11, 2023, and will feature the commissioning of Justice Idigbe NBA ICT Centre.
The following day, a thanksgiving mass and commissioning of Justice Idigbe Museum, Library, and Youth Centre will be held in Asaba.
The events will culminate in the commissioning of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitor’s new head office in Lagos on December 7, 2023.
