Chima Centus Nweze, a Supreme Court Justice, died

Justice Chima Centus Nweze, one of Nigeria’s Supreme Court’s respected justices, reportedly died on Sunday at the age of 64.

The Supreme Court confirmed Justice Nweze’s death on Monday.

In a brief statement, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, confirmed Nweze’s death.

“Hon. Justice Nweze was an astute and erudite jurist.” His lordship’s innumerable judgements have formed, influenced, and developed modern law and jurisprudence. He was a judicial officer who was disciplined, industrious, and courageous.

“The NBA President condoles with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kayode Ariwoola, GCON, the entire Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and People of Enugu State, friends and family of Hon. Justice Nweze over his lordship’s demise and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship’s family and friends,” the statement said in part.

Justice Nweze’s service to the judiciary was extraordinary. He was born on September 25, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State. His appointment to the Supreme Court in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, on the suggestion of the National Judicial Council, represented a watershed moment in his illustrious legal career.