The judiciary has suffered two major losses. A Supreme Court justice, Centus Nweze; and Federal High Court judge, Peter Hoommuk Mallong, both died on Sunday.
Reacting, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described late Nweze as a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer.
A statement from the NBA reads: “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN has received with shock and dismay the news of the passing of Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which sad event occurred on Sunday, 30 July, 2023.
“Hon. Justice Nweze was an astute and erudite jurist. His lordship’s numerous decisions have shaped, impacted and developed our law and jurisprudence. He was a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer.
“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 the demise of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship’s family and friends.”
The Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Hassan Sulaiman, confirmed Justice Mallong’s death.
Sulaiman said: “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our own, hon. Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong,a judge of the Federal High Court, who passed away on 30th July 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness in Abuja.
“We will miss him more than words can express. Funeral arrangements will be communicated to the public in due time.”