“He Was A Very Brilliant Mind With Great Intellectual Depth” – Fapohunda SAN Pays Tribute To Late Justice Nweze
In a heartfelt tribute, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, the Immediate Past Attorney-General of Ekiti State and Managing Partner of Legal Resources Consortium, has paid homage to the late Hon. Justice CC Nweze, JSC.
In the tribute, Fapohunda recalled the first meeting with the esteemed jurist during one of LEDAP’s Human Rights Seminars, introduced by his brother Silk, Chinonye Obiagwu. According to him, he was immediately struck by Nweze’s brilliance and profound understanding of national and international human rights treaties and jurisprudence.
“In those days, it was rare to find a High Court Judge with so much depth and understanding of matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. I recall that it was after that Conference that Chinonye and I decided that we had to ensure that Nweze’s knowledge was widely shared.
Between the both of us, we ensured that he got speaking invitations to a number of local and international human rights conferences. His perspective was different and refreshing. He effortlessly linked the law and theory of human rights with human rights litigation. We did not stop ‘pestering’ him even when he was deservedly elevated to the Court of Appeal, and subsequently, the Supreme Court. He was one of those that encouraged me to enable a quarterly Attorney-Generals Colloquium in Ekiti State Ministry of Justice. He not only supported me with his presence but was a constant source of encouragement and motivation throughout my two-term tenure as Attorney-General.”
He further noted that one of Nweze’s core concerns was the welfare and conditions of service of judicial officers. He lamented the inadequate salaries and allowances, advocating for a necessary review to address the issue. Fapohunda shared that Nweze was pleased with the report of the NBA Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service, although he had expressed a need to include a review of robe allowance due to currency fluctuations.
“In the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice CC Nweze was concerned about the salaries, allowances, and conditions of service of Judicial Officers. We had several discussions on the plight of Judges. We agreed that it was simply unconscionable for judicial officers to be on the same salary for about two decades. Apart from poor salaries, we agreed that the current allowances payable to Judges are inadequate and do not meet current realities. We also discussed the caseload of the Supreme Court, and we agreed that the huge number of cases before the Court would continue to militate against the quality of the judgments.
Hon. Justice Nweze was very pleased with the report of the NBA Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service. The only minus, according to him, was that we forgot to include a review of Robe allowance. In his words, “the Naira to Pound Sterling exchange rate has made the purchase of quality judicial robes and accessories beyond the reach of a Judge.” The NBA Committee immediately effected his observation.
I observed his cynicism about the willingness of this new administration to implement the desired review of judicial remuneration. I constantly assured him that the Tinubu administration would be different, seeing as President Tinubu came into office with a track record of judicial reform from his days as Governor of Lagos State. I also informed him that I felt assured that President Tinubu would easily give his support for the review of judicial remuneration within the context of justice sector reform.”
The tribute concluded with a call for collective action to support Nweze’s advocacy for the improvement of judicial remuneration. Fapohunda described Nweze as an influential presence on the Bench, a brilliant legal mind with intellectual depth, and one of the most consequential Justices to serve on the Supreme Court.
As the news of Hon. Justice CC Nweze’s passing reverberates across the justice sector, stakeholders are expected to send condolence messages. However, Fapohunda urged that the focus should be on honoring Nweze’s legacy by working towards improving judicial remuneration, a cause he passionately championed.
Chima Centus Nweze’s impact on the legal profession and the pursuit of human rights will be cherished and remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find solace and comfort in their time of grief. And may all the Justices of the Supreme Court be blessed and guided in their pursuit of justice.
