Justice Kayode Eso dies at 87

[DT]

Eminent Nigerian Jurist, Justice Kayode Eso is dead.

Justice Eso is reported to have died on Friday morning.

A reliable source from the late jurists home state of Osun and family members have confirmed the death to Daily Trust.

Daily Trust can also report that Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola is preparing a formal announcement of the death of Justice Eso before the state House of Assembly planned for 12 noon today.

More details soon.




The man Hon. Justice Kayode Eso[/b]

Justice Bobakayode Eso was born on September 18, 1925 at Ilesa, in Osun State, Nigeria. He proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law with Hons Degree in Legal Science in 1953 and a Masters in 1956.

Described as the Father of Judicial Activism in Nigeria, Justice Kayode Eso is the greatest protagonist for an Independent Judiciary and very well known

for his relentless efforts in maintaining discipline and protecting the integrity of his court.

A fearless and Courageous Judge, two of Justice Eso's celebrated landmark judgements are listed below:

- The mystery gunman case, which is the trial of Wole Soyinka over his role in a broadcast which the government of the defunct western region of Nigeria termed offensive. Justice Eso returned a verdict of not guilty on Soyinka, and shortly after the judgement, he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure, then regarded as a rural station;

- The celebrated case of Chief Obafemi Awolowo Vs Alhaji Shehu Shagari, in 1979 will forever remain green in Nigeria's jurisprudence.  The Apex Court in deciding the law relating to election cases had by a majority of 6-1, affirmed the election of Alhaji Shagari as duly elected President. However, the courageous decision of Justice Eso in this case remains legendary. In his dissent opinion, Justice Eso  held that at least two-third of 19 states could only be 13 and not 12 2/3

He has received several Awards and University honours too numerous to mention.  He is Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON): 1979; He received LL.D honoris Causa, University of Ibadan: 1990, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka: 2001; and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) 2012.

He was married to Helen Aina Eso and had 2 children and five grand children.

Daily Trust