Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Umaru Atu Kalgo (Rtd.)
Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed sadness over the passing of the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Umaru Atu Kalgo (Rtd.), JSC, CON, who is one of the nation’s distinguished jurists.
Tambuwal in a statement on Wednesday, said Justice Kalgo’s passing is a profound loss, not only to his family and the people of Kebbi State, but also to the Nigerian judiciary and the entire legal profession.
He said the late Justice Atu Kalgo lived a remarkable life devoted to the pursuit of justice, the rule of law and service to our country.
He said: “From his call to the Nigerian Bar in 1965, Justice Kalgo rose through the ranks of the legal and judicial profession with distinction.
“He served as State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor-General, High Court Judge and Chief Judge of Sokoto State before his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 1988 and, subsequently, to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1998.
“Until his retirement in 2007, he contributed immensely to the development of Nigerian jurisprudence through his judgments and interventions across constitutional, civil and criminal law.
“Beyond the Bench, Justice Kalgo also answered the call to national service at important moments in our history, contributing to constitutional and legal reforms through his membership of the Constitution Review Committee, the Constituent Assembly and the Law Revision Committee for the Laws of the Federation.
“He belonged to a generation of jurists whose careers were defined by scholarship, discipline, integrity and an abiding commitment to the administration of justice. His distinguished record of service and contributions to the development of our legal institutions will remain an enduring part of his legacy.
Senator Tambuwal added that at this difficult moment, his thoughts and prayers are with his family, the government and people of Kebbi State, the Nigerian judiciary, the legal fraternity and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
He said: “May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
“May He also grant his family and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. – AWT
