Politics
RETIRED Justice Amina Augie of the Supreme Court, on Thursday called on the National Assembly to swiftly complete work on amendments in the constitution to enhance the functioning of courts in Nigeria.
Augie made the call in her speech at a valedictory court session held in her honour in Abuja having
retired officially from the apex court bench after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
She said the Senator Godswill Akpabio led Senate should take decisive action to accomplish what others could not achieve.
“This marks the final instance where my voice will be heard in any court, and I wish to use this opportunity to directly address the 10th National Assembly, through the Distinguished Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who was once my student at the Law School.
“By doing so, this court and its justices can be free from the constraints that impede their ability to fulfill their mandate of upholding the rule of law, justice, and democracy.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice kayode Ariwoola, earlier in his speech described Augie as an affable jurist who diligently and meticulously offered unquantifiable services to Nigeria and humanity.
He said that the amiable disposition and reticent outlook of Augie literally made her a gentle tigress in the temple of justice.
“She made herself a pliable legal personality that diligently sunk a pool of enduring legal knowledge and experience in all her judicial pronouncements.
“She has variously exhibited rare qualities and tenacity of strength and character to the admiration of her colleagues and admirers, especially when it comes to the administration of justice.
“She has been a formidable ally, an admirable pillar of support and indeed, a jolly good fellow to all of us”, Ariwoola added.
Justice Amina Augie was sworn in as Justice of Supreme Court on 7th November, 2016.
She graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Law from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi SAN, in his speech said that Augie’s judgments have greatly enriched the country’s jurisprudence.
Similarly, the President, Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, gave eloquent testimonies of the contributions of the retired jurist.
He described her as a rare gem who largely succeeded in imprinting her name in gold in the annal of administration and adjudication of Justice in Nigeria.
NAN reports that on Nov. 7, 2016, Justice Augie was appointed as a justice to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
While such appointments are typically celebrated without much fanfare, Augie’s held special significance.
She broke barriers by becoming the sixth woman to serve in this esteemed role.
Her appointment was a milestone for Nigerian women, challenging traditional gender roles and paving the way for others to ascend to influential positions within the judiciary.(NAN)
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-September. 21, 2023 @ 15:37 GMT |
Tags: Justice Kayode Ariwoola Nigerian Bar Association Retired Justice Amina Augie Senator Godswill Akpabio. Yakubu Maikyau SAN
