The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Monday, November 11, 2024, hold a special valedictory court session in honour of late Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola.
The valedictory session billed to be attended by stakeholders in the judiciary, legislature and executive arms of government, is to take place at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.
A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the apex court, Dr. Festus Akande, on Sunday in Abuja, indicated that the valedictory session will hold by 2:00 pm on the day.
Justice Ayoola who retired on the Supreme Court bench in 2003 passed away in his sleep on 20th August, 2024, at the age of 90 years.
A legal icon with a humble background, Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola was born on 27th October, 1933 in Ilesha, Osun State.
He was appointed Judge of the High Court of the defunct Western Nigeria on 1st February, 1976.
He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 25th November, 1998 to 27th October, 2003, when he retired on attainment of the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
He equally served as the Chief Justice of The Gambia, President of the Court of Appeal of The Seychelles, Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), amongst others.
The Special Court Session will be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who will customarily pay tribute to the late Justice Ayoola alongside other major stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.