President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the death of a retired Supreme Court Justice, Uthman Argungu, describing his passing as a personal and national loss.
Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that Mr Argungu, who died at 90, was a respected jurist and a cherished associate of the President,
Based on Islamic rites, Mr Argungu was buried on Sunday in his hometown of Argungu, Kebbi State.
Mr Tinubu remembered the late elder statesman as a distinguished jurist whose life was dedicated to serving humanity and his country with unwavering integrity and commitment.
Reflecting on Justice Argungu’s rich legacy, the President recalled his early contributions as a teacher in the old Sokoto Province.
This was followed by an illustrious legal career that began with his call to the bar in 1965 and culminated in his elevation to the Supreme Court bench in 1993.
“His influence as a jurist extended beyond Nigeria, as he also served as a visiting justice of the Supreme Court of the Gambia,” said the President.
He offered prayers for the repose of Argungu’s soul and extended condolences to his family, the government and the people of Kebbi State.
The late Argungu born on February 20, 1935, served for 12 years in the Supreme Court, from 1993 to 2005.
He was educated at the Elementary School. Argungu. 1942-45; Middle School, Sokoto, 1946-50; School of Arabic Studies, Kano. 1951-54; Bakht EI Ruda Institute. Sudan. 1958-60.
He later moved to the Institute of Administration, Zaria, 1961-62; University of London. 1962-64; Gibson College of Law, London, 1984; Council of Legal Education, London. Middle Temple, 1965; and Nigerian Law School, 1966.
He started his career as a teacher at Barewa College, Zaria 1960-61; Chief Registrar, High Court, 1972-74; High Court Judge, 1974-78; Justice, Court of Appeal, 1979- 93; and Justice, Supreme Court, June 1993-05.
He was. a member of the Middle Temple London, 1965; Commonwealth Magistrates Association, 1970.
He was decorated with the national honour of the Order of the Federal Republic, 1978; and Kebbi State Merit Award, 1997.
He was a member of the 2014 Constitutional Conference convoked by President Goodluck Jonathan.
(NAN)