The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has expressed shock over the sudden death of former Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Jibrin Ndatsu-Ndajiwo, describing it as a big loss to the people of Nupe Emirates, Niger State and the nation at large.
Late Ndajiwo, who died at the age of 72 in Doko on Tuesday, has been buried according to Islamic rite
The deceased who was the 6th CJ in the state, also served as the Chairman, Niger state Judicial Service Commission.
He became the Chief Judge of the State on 18th December 1991 and retired in the same capacity in March 2013.
The royal father described the late former CJ as a humble gentleman known for fairness and justice.
The Etsu Nupe who is also the Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, stated this shortly after the funeral prayers at his home town Doko in Lavun Local Government area of the state on Tuesday.
According to the monarch, the late Chief Judge was a renowned legal icon who stood for the cause of justice and defended the rule of law
Etsu Nupe also described late Ndajiwo as a fearless judge who was known for demanding discipline in his court and delivering thorough and sound judgments.
He further noted that Nupe Emirate and Niger State had lost a legal luminary who bestrode the heights of his chosen profession like a colossus.
“Ndatsu-Ndajiwo was an erudite judge and leader who worked assiduously to reform the judiciary in the state.
“He left behind an indelible mark not only on the state judiciary but also on the legal profession in general,” Etsu Nupe added.
He added that the deceased showed love to the people living in his domain, irrespective of their tribe, religious inclination.
The royal father said he was deeply touched when he received the news that late Ndajiwo who is also the Magajin Gari Nupe had passed on.
“He was a bridge builder, an amiable personality who is Busu home with his people, whose vacuum would be difficult to fill,” he added.
Etsu Nupe condoles the immediate family of the late CJ and the state’s judiciary and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased Aljanna fidaus and fortitude for his family to bear the loss
Speaking, the Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, said it was disheartening and painful to lose such a great mind that devoted all his life to the service of the state in the Judiciary.
Alhaji Nuhu pointed out that his demise had created a great vacuum that would be hard to fill.
He noted that death was an expected end of every mortal and enjoined his family to take solace in the words of God which say for everything under the sun, there is a time; a time to be born, and a time to die.
