Late Emmanuel Ayoola
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), has described the late Emmanuel Ayoola, a former supreme court justice, as a quintessential judicial icon.
Ayoola, the second chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), died on August 20.
Speaking at a valedictory session held in Ayoola’s honour at the apex court on Monday, Kekere-Ekun said the late justice gave the best of his intellect for the advancement of the legal profession.
“He believed strongly that a judge must decide cases without fear, or favour, affection, or ill will,” the CJN said.
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“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.
“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.
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“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.
“He has been variously described by his close associates as a man of robust intellect and epitome of judicial activism that was adequately aided by wisdom and prudence.
“In fact, the majority of those who had close acquaintance with him were quick to cast him in the mould of the great Lord Denning of the English Bench.
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“Ayoola convincingly demonstrated that we, as mortals, should always aim high, for even in failure, we may find ourselves among the stars.
“He stood staunchly by that philosophy till his peaceful transition at the fulfilled age of 90 years.”
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