Atiku, IGP Idris mourn Kutigi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, have commiserated with Nigerians over the death of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, said the death has robbed Nigeria and the judiciary of one of the best legal minds whose contribution to democracy could not be easily forgotten.

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A statement in Abuja on Sunday by Mr. Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, said that Kutigi was a great Justice, who avoided controversy throughout his judicial career.

He said that late Kutigi was committed to law, justice and democracy and would be remembered for years to come after his death.

Atiku recalled that, as chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Kutigi demonstrated admirable wisdom and remarkable leadership in handling such delicate national assignment.

“By successfully chairing such gathering of Nigerians from diverse backgrounds”, Atiku said, Kutigi “showed a great capacity for leadership and broadminded disposition”.

The Waziri Adamawa prayed to Allah to bless and forgive the soul of the late Chief Justice of Nigeria and wished his family the strength to overcome this moment of great loss.

In his own message, Idris commiserated with people of Kutigi, Niger and Nigerians and Kutigi as humble and a complete gentleman.

IGP Idris said he was deeply touched when he received the news that Kutigi had passed on.

“His death is a huge loss not only to Kutigi people, Bida Emirate, but also to Niger state and the nation as a whole,” Idris said.

According to him Late Legbo-Kutigi was an elder statesman, an exemplary leader and a bridge builder who has contributed immensely to the peace and development of the country.

He joined the government and people of Niger, the Nigeria Bar Association and the National Judicial Council in mourning the erudite jurist.

The police chief noted that the deceased contributed immensely to the structuring of Nigeria’s jurisprudence.

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He urged that his exemplary leadership in promoting peace, unity and progress in Nigeria should be remembered as his legacy to making Nigeria a better place to live.

“Even after his tenure as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he continued with all his good attributes of ensuring justice, peace, unity and progress of not only the state but the country at large.”

Late Kutigi, born in December 1939, died on Sunday in London during a brief illness.

Late Kutigi was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from Jan. 30, 2007 until Dec. 30 2009.