Justice Ishola Isiaka Oluwa, Nigeria’s oldest judge has died at 102 years.
The retired judge of the High Court of Lagos State was reported dead in his house at Ilupeju, Lagos, in the early hours of Saturday.
While on the bench, he was reputable for being frank and fearless, particularly in his handling of a land case that involved a notable entrepreneur and Lagos socialite, Alhaji Jimoh Isola, aka Ejigbadero, who he sentenced to death for murder of a farmer, Raji Oba, in 1975.
Born on June 23, 1918, the retired judge attended Forcados Government School, Bonny; St Bartholomew’s School, Degema; Government School, Sapele; and King’s College, Lagos.
He also attended School of Agriculture, Samaru-Zaria, University of London, where he studied Law, and Lincoln’s Inn, London, where he was called to the Bar in 1957.
He started his law practice after he returned to Nigeria from London and was appointed High Court judge on June 1, 1974. He retired on June 17, 1983.
Reacting, Sammy Adebiyi, prince of the Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos, described Justice Oluwa’s death as sad, especially when the state needed more of his wealth of experience.
“We have lost today one of the greatest men in Nigeria. He was one of the men who stood with their convictions, and truth.
“Justice Oluwa has refused to be intimidated by the overwhelming power of those who have decided not to treat others fairly.
“With his death, Lagos state and Nigeria in general have lost a prominent citizen which will be very hard to be replaced,” he said.
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Also speaking, Mr. Abayomi Jinadu, a Leader, Indigenous Peoples’ Foundation of Lagos State, described the late Justice Oluwa as a true son of Lagos and would be missed by Lagosians.
“It’s the glorious end of an era; a true Lagosian and one of those that worked tirelessly for the growth and development of Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” said Jinadu.
Another leader of the Indigenous Peoples’ Foundation of Lagos State, Alhaji Abdulraham Seriki, described the late Justice Oluwa as a dedicated and hardworking person who does his job without fear or favour.
“He was a thorough and fearless judge. Right from his youth days, he showcased a person that has the fear of Allah in him and never uses sentiments in the discharge of his duties.
“With his death, Lagos State in particular has lost another industrious son who fought for the rights of the people of the state and Nigeria in general has lost a noble country man. May Allah grant him rest in His place,” said Seriki.
A top member of Eko Club, where the deceased was also a member, Eng. Layi Ajayi-Bembe, said he was one man that has stood alone to fight for the cause of Lagos State.
“I have known Justice Oluwa for many years. He was a wonderful man,” he said.
Ajayi-Bembe, who advised younger lawyers to emulate his lifestyle, said: “We don’t find people like Justice Oluwa in the ministry again. Unlike his time in the judiciary, we now find judges taking bribe, perverting justice. He is just a unique man.”
The NEXT EDITION recalled that two years ago while celebrating his 100th birthday, the late Justice Oluwa finally broke his silence on the Ejigbadero case.
In his autobiography titled: ‘A Life in Motion Reminiscence of a Jurist at 100 years’, he said he believed the celebrated murder case influenced the enactment of the Land Use Decree (now known as Land Use Act) by the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
