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Oputa died in Abuja on Sunday at the age of 96. In a statement by his chief Press secretary, Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji described the late sage as a man of wisdom and peace who had made significant contributions in Nigeria’s jurisprudence as well as in the quest for peace and reconciliation.
He said the death of the legal luminary was painful and a great loss to the nation given that his wealth of experience was needed at this time of the nation’s history.
“I am grieved by the news of Justice Oputa’s death. It came to me as a rude shock. I am short of words over the death of this erudite Nigerian. We will indeed miss him,” he said.
The governor implored the deceased’s family, especially the widow of the eminent jurist, Margret, to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
He urged the entire Oputa family to take consolation in the fact that their late patriarch lived a fulfilled life and left footprints on the sands of time.
The governor prayed God to grant the late Justice Oputa eternal rest in his bosom.
Also, Amosun commiserated with the Nigerian judiciary, government and people of Imo State on the death of Oputa.
The governor also described the death of Oputa as “the dimming of another shining star in Nigeria’s legal firmament.
“Justice Oputa will forever be remembered for his landmark judgments and particularly, his role during the Human Rights Violation Investigations Commission, a reconciliatory panel set up by the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration and headed by him to investigate human rights abuses in Nigeria from 1979 to 1999,” Amosun said.
He prayed to God to grant the families and associates of the two great men the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
On his part, Abe described the demise of Oputa as a huge loss to not only the legal profession but entire nation.
The senator, who stated this in reaction to the death of the foremost jurist, noted that Justice Oputa was a legal luminary, an embodiment of knowledge, a philosopher and patriot who interpreted the laws of the land conscientiously.
“We have lost an ambassador of the legal profession, whose ideal and contributions to the development of our law as a lawyer, author, teacher and judge were legendary,” Abe said.
He recalled the courage displayed by the late sage during the highly celebrated Oputa Panel, maintaining that his judgments at the Supreme Court would remain a reference point in the legal circle.
The senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly sued for the reflection of Justice Oputa’s legacies in the life of the nation and prayed God to grant the family, the Igbo race and entire country the fortitude to bear the loss.
Umeh, who spoke in Awka, said Oputa lived a fulfilled life, adding that “what happened to this eminent jurist showed the final authority of God over human beings.”
He said that Igbo were grateful to God that the great jurist and scholar was a celebrated Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and known for his forthrightness and courage.
He recalled that a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, made Oputa the Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee based on his exceptional qualities and character.
“God granted him long life. Dying at 96, he did not die prematurely. At 96, we can say he had a fulfilled life. His exit will create a big vacuum in Igbo land and in Nigeria.
“It is very difficult to find somebody with great integrity and somebody who would combine his career with great Christian spirit.
“He applied himself in good conscience in the discharge of his duties as justice of the Nigerian judiciary. His works as a justice of this country will remain immortal.
“His name will be mentioned in the courtroom in this country forever because he rendered very landmark judgments,’’ Umeh said.
The chairman urged the Igbo to pray God to give them more people like Oputa in future.
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