The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have expressed sadness over the death of former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir.
In two separate statements, the lawmakers expressed their condolences to the family of the late jurist, the people of Katsina State and the government of Nigeria over the irreparable loss.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday, Saraki described the late Nasir as a fearless and hard working jurist who made immense contributions to the development of the judiciary and the nation.
“Justice Mamman Nasir was a fearless and hardworking jurist, who approached every assignment with firmness and patriotism.
“He contributed immensely to the development of the judiciary in particular and the nation in general. We shall all miss him.
“He looked very strong when I presented his award to him at the inaugural annual awards ceremony of the Body of Benchers.
“Nobody could see him that day and predict that he was in his last days. But Allah knows best.”
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The senate president prayed “Allah to grant the departed soul a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”
In his statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, Dogara described the Nasir as a legal icon whose death has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
He said Nasir was “a courageous jurist who served the country meritoriously and contributed immensely to the development of the law and independence of the judiciary.”
Dogara further noted that the late former president of the Court of Appeal played major roles in stabilising Nigeria at various times during periods of difficulty and uncertainty adding that his death came at a time “his wisdom, wealth of experience and fatherly guidance were most needed, not only in his home state, Katsina, but in Nigeria at large.
“Nigeria has indeed lost a great and courageous man who exhibited good character and served his country with dignity and integrity.
“His death will surely leave a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill,” he said.
The speaker prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and his immediate family, the fortitude to bear the loss.
Late Nasir, who was also the District Head of Malumfashi in Katsina State, reportedly died at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina on Saturday.
