A man of great uprightness, may his soul rest in peace.

It seems the season of death in Nigeria as one eminent citizen after another passes on.

The latest is the death this morning of one of Nigeria’s eminent jurists, the Ibadan based Justice Kayode Esho.

He was aged 87.

Family sources told P.M.NEWS that he died in London this morning.

Justice Esho since the beginning of this year had stayed more in the UK than Nigeria. He only returned home in October to receive his country’s belated honor, Commander of the Order of the Niger. Esho was also decorated last December by civil society groups in Lagos, with the honor of the Defender of Anti-corruption.

In a short biography, the hallmarks of Labour Foundation presented Justice Esho’s story thus:

“Justice Bobakayode Eso was born on September 18, 1925 at Ilesa, in Osun State, Nigeria.

He proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law with Hons Degree in Legal Science in 1953 and a Masters in 1956.

Described as the Father of Judicial Activism in Nigeria, Justice Kayode Eso is the greatest protagonist for an Independent Judiciary and very well known
for his relentless efforts in maintaining discipline and protecting the integrity of his court.

On his retirement from the Bench, Hon. Justice Eugene Ubaezonu, JCA, described our Awardee as a strong protagonist of judicial activism and the Lord Denning of Nigeria who refuses to be tied to the apron string of bad statutes or bad decisions.

Another Supreme Court Judge, Justice Pius Aderemi tendered Justice Kayode Eso as a “permanent exhibit”. He also added and I quote “Eso’s decisions as a Judge is legendary and a delight to study”, “Full of erudite scholarship, well reasoned and replete with legal authorities, there are fine statements of law and veritable guides for all in the legal profession or concerned with law”. Justice Aderemi concluded.

A fearless and Courageous Judge, some of Justice Eso’s celebrated landmark judgements speak for themselves, for example,
 The mystery gunman case, which is the trial of Wole Soyinka over his role in a broadcast which the government of the defunct western region of Nigeria termed offensive. Justice Eso returned a verdict of not guilty on Soyinka, and shortly after the judgement, he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure, then regarded as a rural station;
 The celebrated case of Chief Obafemi Awolowo Vs Alhaji Shehu Shagari, in 1979 will forever remain green in Nigeria’s jurisprudence. The Apex Court in deciding the law relating to election cases had by a majority of 6-1, affirmed the election of Alhaji Shagari as duly elected President. However, the courageous decision of Justice Eso in this case remains legendary. In his dissent opinion, Justice Eso held that at least two-third of 19 states could only be 13 and not 12 2/3

He had received several Awards and University honours too numerous to mention. He is Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON): In 1979, he received LL.D honoris Causa, University of Ibadan: 1990, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka: 2001, respectively.

He was the author of several books, articles and he has delivered various papers at National and International Seminars.
He was married to Helen Aina Eso and they are blessed with 2 children and five grand children.”

Nigeria has been rocked of recent by the deaths of Dr. Olusola Saraki, Second Republic senate leader and Chief Lam Adesina, the former governor of Oyo satte and a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/885478_esho_jpg18fda6dae22c9a82144b887f979de519

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/11/16/justice-kayode-esho-dies/

what

R.I.P

seems this week has been full of one death or the other of prominent and influential citizens of this country. RIP SIR.

Oh nooooo

A titan goes to rest in the bosom of the Lord. This great man was my mentor and role model.

God help us. We are running out of heroes in this land

they are going in their old age so what i the problem?

Gud pple are going while d bad are flourishing...

RIP My lord. We wish for more of your type at the bench

may his soul rest in perfect peace.

Eso's legacy will forever remain indelible. He was a legal salamander, a tall tree in the legal forest. Was one of the few incorruptible judges, full of scruples and sagacity.
He will be missed ad infinitum. May his soul rest in in the bosom of the Lord.

Moderator,must you hide my post?where is the freedom of expression on your NAIRALAND?na wa for you o,Abeg comot for my front jo

Nairaland is becoming an e-cemetry

Sdtosin: Gud pple are going while d bad are flourishing...

no matter how bad are you there is always a perpective where you will be good. Everyone is good no matter how so RIP to the dead

May his gentle soul rest in peace!!!

An upright and incorruptible judge..RIP
another of his landmark judgement was in the case of Ojukwu V Military Governor of Lagos State (Navy Captain Mike Akhigbe) reported in 1986, Justice Eso condemned the forced eviction of Ojukwu from his residence by the Lagos State government as "executive lawlessness." In the case, he declared boldly: "the essence of the rule of law is that it should never operate under the rule of force or fear. To use force to effect and act and while under the marshall of that force to seek the court's equity is an attempt to infuse timidity into court and operate a sabotage of the cherished rule of law. It must never be."

*cryin* so so sad! He was our proprietor in Bodija int'l school and college. He was nuthn short
Of a father. We luv u grandpa, u'l be greatly missed but we r consoled in d fact dat u lived a great life. Ure an icon! RIP sir!

RIP Dude

I'm sure dere'l be no schl 2day. Wish I was stl in sec. Schl...free holiday.lol

Make them all die dey go jo

Sleek05: I'm sure dere'l be no schl 2day. Wish I was stl in sec. Schl...free holiday.lol

neva late nao go back to J.S.3 so that u can av free holiday as u av mentioned

He was an incorruptible judge. A man of integrity and uprightness and was this year given the National Honours as Commander of the Order of the Niger

Oh my gosh, another lost to ijesha land.. Rest in peace sir, we ijesha will bє surely remember you.




Ijesha icon

He was an iconic legal titan in the order of Lord Denning. The simplicity and logic of his judgements are enthralling . Justice Kayode Esho was a great judge.

lakeside025: Oh my gosh, another lost to ijesha land.. Rest in peace sir, we ijesha will bє surely remember you.




Ijesha icon

Ijesha ni E re

Pele oo Omo baba lujesha

May his soul rest in perfect peace.