PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES OPUTA FAMILY

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with a deep feeling of

immense national loss, news of the passing away yesterday of Justice

Chukwudifu Oputa.
On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and people of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, the President extends sincere condolences to the

eminent jurist's family, relatives, associates and friends.

As they mourn the passage of the retired Justice of the Supreme Court who

will always be remembered, amongst other career highlights, for his

celebrated chairmanship of Nigeria's Human Rights Violations Investigation

Commission 14 years ago, President Jonathan urges them to be comforted by

the knowledge that Justice Oputa lived a long, very fulfilled and

achievement-laden life.
The President believes that Justice Oputa will always be honoured now and

in posterity for having served the nation as a most distinguished and

courageous jurist who made very significant and indelible contributions to

the advancement of Nigerian jurisprudence.
President Jonathan is confident that although Justice Oputa has now left

the world of the living, the late jurist will be long remembered for his

spirited legal activism and will continue to  serve as a splendid role

model for present and future generations of Nigerian judges.

He prays that God Almighty will receive Justice Oputa's soul and grant him

a well-deserved rest from his diligent  and exemplary labours on earth.