Niki Tobi Dies At 75

A former Justice of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Niki Tobi is dead.
It was learnt that the former Justice died of undisclosed ailment last Thursday at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The late jurist, who is regarded as a highly brilliant officer, had been ill for sometime.
His body is said to have since been deposited at Garki Hospital’s Mortuary in Abuja.
Sources at the Supreme Court told our reporter that the court was only informed yesterday about the jurist’s death and the movement of his remains to Garki Hospital.
Justice Tobi, who died almost one month to his 76th birthday, was born at Esanma in Besmadi local government area of Delta State on July 14, 1940. He retired on July 14, 2010 as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Before his career at the bench, Justice Tobi was the Dean, Faculty of Law and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has condoled with the deceased’s family.
The retired Supreme Court Justice reportedly died at 5.30pm last Thursday at the National Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.
A statement by his media aide, Ahuraka Isah, reads: The CJN, on behalf of  the justices, workers of the Supreme Court and indeed the nation’s judiciary, commiserate with the immediate family, relations as well as friends and associates of the respected jurists who joined the Supreme Court in 2002   and retired on July 14, 2010.
“The retired Supreme Court Justice indelibly contributed to the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria and will be greatly remembered for his assiduousness in reviewing the draft 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the military regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
His Lordship, Honourable CJN urges the deceased’s family to be comforted by the knowledge that the departed jurist served his country with commitment dedication and honesty.

Chidi Enyie