Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Saturday paid tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, describing him as one of Nigeria’s foremost jurists.

Mr Uzodimma eulogised Ogwuegbu at the funeral mass held in his honour at St. Theresa Chibugwumba Catholic Parish, Amainyi in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government of the state.

The governor said the former Supreme Court judge, who died at 91 years, “wrote his name in granite across the landscape of the Nigerian legal system.”

He said Ogwuegbu was an embodiment of courage, discipline, integrity, and a jurist with an uncommon brilliance in the 50 years of his remarkable career.

Mr Uzodimma praised the landmark judgements delivered by the late justice, especially on sensitive matters such as federalism, university autonomy, human rights, and banking regulations.

He said: “Everyone agrees that Justice Ogwuegbu gave priority to his good name, above primitive acquisition of material things, a quality which is in short supply amongst today’s public servants. Today, we have come to bid a final farewell to a great son of Nigeria of Imo State extraction. We have come to mourn one of the greatest and brightest legal minds that passed through our shores. We have come to pay deserving tributes to Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, a jurist whose trademark was courage, integrity, and discipline. When it is said that a man led a fulfilled life, it means that he did his duties to God and humanity to the best of his ability. When we say that a good name is better than riches, we have in mind what will be said about us when we finally depart this planet.’’

Mr Uzodimma said over two decades after he gracefully bowed out from the bench, the late Ogwuegbu’s judgments still illuminate in courts.

He stated, “We also celebrate him for hoisting high the flag of Imo State when, in 1999, he was appointed Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated human rights abuses during the military regime. Yes, in the 50 years of his remarkable career, Justice Ogwuegbu embodied integrity and uncommon brilliance. I am indeed proud to say that this was a man synonymous with discipline, dedication, excellence, and honesty, a man who used the legal profession to serve both God and humanity.’’

Earlier in a homily, the Catholic Priest in-charge of the church, Very Rev. Fr. Chibuike Uke, described the deceased as a great mentor, who denied himself a lot of comfort to bring up younger ones.

Mr Uke challenged those in leadership positions to be good mentors to the youth for the good of society.

He lauded the late Ogwuegbu for leading a life worthy of emulation and urged the faithful and the guests to work hard to ensure that when they exit the earth, the Almighty would prepare a banquet for them in paradise.

One of the sons of the deceased, Dr Emeka Ogwuegbu, who paid tribute to his father on behalf of his family, said that his late dad demonstrated exemplary leadership.

He added that his father led a fulfilled and exemplary life of great virtues and rare qualities of integrity, humility, fairness, equity and justice.

(NAN)