Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has described the late retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as an extraordinary jurist with extraordinary pedigree.
In a tribute to Oputa issued by his media office in Abuja yesterday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the death of the retired Supreme Court Justice was like a huge branch being cut off from the nation’s judicial iroko tree.
According to him, apart from his extraordinary courage, the late Oputa was also a man of profound knowledge on account of which he was famously branded the “Socrates of the Supreme Court.”
He explained that for Oputa to earn this appellation from colleagues was a demonstration of his erudition and colossal stature.
Atiku recalled that with no less than 358 judgements and rulings under his belt, the late Oputa was a giant of law not only in Nigeria, but also the rest of Africa.
The former Vice President prayed for the repose of the late Oputa and condoled with his family on this irreparable loss.