Justice Oputa, The Socrates Of The Nigerian Supreme Court Is Dead!

Justice Chukwudifu Oputa (rtd), is dead! Justice Oputa, Charly boy's father has been in critical condition for sometime. The former head of the human rights investigation commission, Oputa Panel, according to family sources who spoke to our source said the elder statesman had a partial stroke on February 14, 2014 and have been bedridden at the Specialist hospital in Enugu.

Justice Oputa who is also referred to as “The Oputa of Oguta” was born on 22nd of September 1924 in Oguta, in the present Imo State. His father was Chief Oputa Izukwu and his mother Madam Nnawetu Oputa. He had his early education in Sacred Heart School, Oguta and Christ the kings College, Onitcha.

He then proceeded to Yaba Higher College, but due to the exigencies of the Second World War, was sent to the famous Achimota College in Ghana, then Gold Coast.  There he graduated with B.SC(Hon)Economics in1945.  After this, he came back to Nigeria and took up appointment with Calabari National College. He later moved to Lagos where he worked as an  ADO (Assistant District Officer). It was where he achieved a remarkable feat; he studied at home and obtained his BA (Hon) History at home.

Justice Oputa then proceeded to London where he got his LLB (Hon) and was called to bar in Gray’s Inn, in London. Upon his return to Nigeria, then Barrister Oputa went into brilliant and successful private practice. Handling such celebrated cases and special inquiries as Oguta Chieftaincy dispute 1958/59, the Amanyanabo Dispute 1956/60 and many others.

In 1966, Justice Oputa was appointed a Judge of the High Court of the then Eastern Nigeria and he moved on to   become to first Chief Judge of Imo State ten years later. His days both as judge and later as Chief Judge were remarkable because many successes were achieved during his period on the High Court bench.

In 1984, he was elevated to the exalted position of the Honourable Justice of the Supreme Court. To many who knew Oputa during his days at State High Court said it was well deserved elevation. It did not take long before he stamped his fit in the Supreme Court as a man profoundly moved by classical literature, history, divinity, and philosophy and who judgments possessed the temerity that is in the preserve of genius.  No wonder the then Chief Justice of Nigeria Late Justice Mohammed Bello himself an outstanding judicial figure nicknamed him (Oputa) “Cicero”

The fearless Justice Oputa will be greatly missed. May his soul Rest In Peace.