The death on May 4, 2014 of former retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, came as a surprise to many Nigerians including members of the legal community. Though well advanced in age at 96, there was no inkling that the legal luminary, educationist and public servant would soon depart his beloved country and bid farewell to those he loved.
His death has drawn sympathy and statements extolling his life and work from all and sundry. President Goodluck Jonathan praised his service to Nigeria, especially his expertise in peace-making both through sound judgements when he was in the Supreme Court and in public life. He lamented that he took his exit at a time when the nation still needed his wisdom and counsel. Likewise, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, lamented that Oputa’s exit is an irreparable loss to a nation that is going through challenging times.
Born on September 22, 1924 in Oguta, Imo state, Oputa attended Sacred Heart School, Oguta, Christ the King College, Onitsha, Higher College, Yaba, Lagos and the famous Achimota College in Ghana. He proceeded to University of London to read Law and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn, London in 1953.
Oputa held a number of positions in other areas of life before going into private legal practice. He was Principal of Kalabari National College, Buguma and later Administrative Officer at the Nigerian Secretariat, Lagos, 1949- 51. He was in private legal practice from 1953- 65 during which he was a member of the Eastern Nigeria Marketing Board and Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. From 1971- 1976, he served as a judge of the High Court of the then East Central State and of the High Court of Imo State from 1976- 1984. Also in 1984, Oputa was elevated to a justice of the Supreme Court.
Oputa acquired a reputation as an investigative counsel as well as a mediator in disputes. He was involved as counsel in the Harcourt inquiry in Port Harcourt, Oguta Chieftaincy Dispute, Nembe Chieftaincy dispute and Obudu Chieftaincy dispute from 1959- 1960. In 1967, among other assignments, he served as Chairman, Commission of Inquiry into the structure of Customary Courts in former Eastern Nigeria.
One of the most popular jurists of his generation, Oputa became a household name in Nigeria following his Chairmanship of the Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses under military governments set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The commission, which was like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, later became known as the Oputa panel and provided an opportunity never had before for Nigerians who suffered from impunity and abuse under military rule to make public their grievances. Oputa is the author of Modern Bar Advocacy: Life at the Bar and Homicide through the Cases.
In a tribute to the justice, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, described Oputa, as a man who served his country with characteristic candour, courage and dedication. Adoke said the late Supreme Court Justice was one of Nigeria’s foremost legal icons who served the legal profession and the nation well, adding that the nation and the profession would surely miss him. Similar tribute and prayers for the repose of his soul was said by the members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) who extolled the forthrightness and patriotism of the late Justice Oputa, known in his heydays as the Socrates of the Supreme Court, would be sorely missed. Adieu.