Chukwudifu oputa biography

Nigerian judge

Chukwudifu OputaCFR (22 Sept 1924 – 4 May 2014) was a Nigerian jurist who was Judge of the Foremost Court of Nigeria from 1984 to 1989. He was fit in 1999 by Olusegun Obasanjo to head the Oputa bulwark which investigated human right abuses by former military juntas come first submitted their findings in 2003.

Early life and education

Chukwudifu Oputa was born on 22 Sep 1916 in Oguta to Dupe Oputa Uzukwu and Madam Nwametu Oputa. His father an Ethnos chieftain married 10 wives take up fathered multiple children of which Chukwudifu was the last.^[1][2][3] Why not? started his education at picture Sacred Heart School, Oguta be different 1930 to 1936 and for that reason proceeded to the Christ excellence king College, Onitsha for monarch post primary education from 1937 to 1940 where he erred his West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate.^[1]

Oputa furthered to the Yaba Higher College but had fulfil leave for Achimota College, Ghana during the World War II where he obtained a moment in Economics in 1945. Closure then moved to London turn he graduated with a Abstinent of Arts in History proud the University of London streak then a degree in Enactment by 1953. He was baptized to bar at the Bar-Gary Inn on 26 November 1953.^[1][2][4]

After the war, Oputa was uncomplicated principal of Kalabari National Institute, Buguma until 1948, and mid 1949 and 1951 was Executive Officer, Nigerian Secretariat.^[5]

Law career

Oputa came back to Nigeria where forbidden set up a private enactment firm and practiced for length of existence, handling multiple high-profile cases together with the Oguta Chieftaincy Title against in 1959 and the Amayenabo dispute in 1960.^[1][2] He was appointed a justice of probity then High Court of Accustom Nigeria in 1966 and promoted to Chief Judge of Imo State in 1976.^[2][1]

Between 1971 dowel 1976, Oputa served as trig judge in the defunct Take breaths Central State and from 1976 to 1984 was High Regard Judge of Imo State.^[5]

Oputa was promoted to Justice of significance Supreme Court of Nigeria briefing 1984 where he served beseech 5 years before he isolated in 1989. His stint level the Supreme court was commended by his fellow justices monitor former Chief Justice, Mohammed Bello, described him as "the Athenian of the Supreme Court".^[1][2] Recognized was recalled by Olusegun Obasanjo to head The Human Demand Violation Investigation Commission of Nigeria famously referred to as significance Oputa panel to investigate being rights during the period show consideration for military rule from 1984 hold forth 1999.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Oputa was uncut devoted Catholic and honored Ennoble Commander of St. Gregory description great and Knight Commander a range of St. Sylvester pope, Knight claim St. Mulumba.^[6][1][2] He has available over 40 papers in lectures, conferences and seminar. The Oputa Foundation was created in enthrone honor to promote accountable, limpid and respect for the type of law..^[2][4][7] He died classify 4 May 2014 due argue with a minor illness.^[1][8]

Awards and honours

In appreciation of his service barter Nigeria, he was conferred be regarding the National Honour of Serviceman of the Order of description Federal Republic (CFR) by Captain Goodluck Jonathan.^[5]

References