The Senate on Wednesday called on the National Judicial Council to immortalise the late Justice of the Supreme Court and legal luminary, Justice Kayode Eso.
Justice Eso passed on November 16, at the age of 87 years.
This was barely 24 hours after the upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to rename the Illorin international airport after the Late Senator Dr. Olusola Saraki.
They had paid glowing tributes to Dr Saraki via a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, further set up a 12 man delegation to condole with the late Senator’s family, the government and people of Kwara State.
The call for the immortalisation of Justice Eso followed a motion sponsored by Babajide Omoworare and 10 others at plenary.
He stated that justice Eso who was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1978, leaving a 12 years legacy, an era which he described as the golden era of Nigeria Supreme Court.
Omoworare said ” justice Eso’s unassailable 46 years contribution to our legal profession and justice administration system yielding an amazing delivery of 464 reported judgments, 70 of which were lead judgments, 390 concurring judgments and 4 dissenting judgments.
” Justice Eso’s sterling discipline rating was vindicated when the then Sani Abacha regime appointed him as the head of the panel to sanitise the judicial arm of government. The report and recommendation of that panel has remained and enduring roadmap that can salvage the worrisome image and reputation of our judiciary.
” In similar recognition and appreciation of justice Kayode Eso’s incontrovertible fearlessness, courage and unflinching devotion to truth and pursuit of justice, the Rivers State Government appointed him to head the States Reconciliation Committees.
“Justice Samuel Kayode Eso’s death is a grave loss, not only to the State of Osun and Nigeria, but to humanity as whole.”
” Justice Kayode Eso was an rare jurist of incorruptible and unbending adhereance to constitutionalism, rule of law, independence of the judiciary positivist who appreciated law as an uncompromising instrument of social engineering as manifested in his lucid and unmistakable stance in cases such as; Awolowo Vs Shagari; Omoboriowo v A.G Federation; Omoboriowo V Ajasin; Nwobodo V Onoh.”
Speaking, the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is also a lawyer said Justice Eso is amongst the greatest Jurists ever in Nigeria.
“He was everything that a judge should be, he demonstrated character, erudition and a typical comportment of the highest judicial officer.
While he cited the National Judicial Council (NJC) came into being at the recommendation of the late Justice, Ndoma-Egba added “he will be remembered fondly not just by lawyers but by Nigerians. He will be remembered with gratitude. He served 46 years without a whiff of scandal”.
Sen. Olubunmi Adetumbi, who noted that Justice Eso’s is a great Nigerian whose reputation transcends his profession.
He underscored that the spate of deaths of eminent Nigerians is resulting in the best of the nation is passing away. “I pray that this generation and the ones to come will have something to learn from them” he said.
In his summation, the Senate President, David Mark, said “I think for virtually all Nigerians, once they hear the name of Justice Eso, most of them believe their will be fairness and justice for all. Those who knew him, know he was fair to all. Justice should be treated in such a way that even those who loose out will be fairly treated.”