Tribute to Hon. Justice Oputa by a secret admirer

When Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa died, I was unaware because I was in a location with no network coverage, upon hearing of his demise two days after, I was shocked, bitter and felt orphaned, because like some of my other role models I never got the chance to see him and express my love for him. In my life apart from the beautiful Trinity of Nazareth (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) and my lovely parents, I have four role models, among which includes Chinua Achebe, Nelson Mandela, Pope Benedict XVI and Chukwudifu Oputa.

When I secretly canonised them my role models, part of my plan was to meet them at least once and express how much their lives have helped me. Unfortunately three of them died within a space of two years without my ever meeting them (hope my followership is not sending them to their graves)

I am not discouraged since I believe that through their numerous works they will always be alive in me.

While Oputa was alive, he eulogised a lot of persons, at his death, I thought who would be worthy of rendering a eulogy worthy of a man of such calibre, it’s not an easy task, but I hope that he accepts my little and humble attempt. 

One cannot talk of Justice Oputa without using superlatives, but I will defy that unwritten rule. 

In the judicial realm, where many people know Justice Oputa from, he was a judicial activist with no fear or favour, neither did he owe any one any apology. In the legal profession he excelled among his peers which earned him the title, Socrates a nickname first given to him by Justice Bello, former Chief Justice of the Federation or as some would prefer Lord Denning of Nigeria, his ratio decidendi and obita dictum were grand, grandiose and grandiloquent, that is why they are widely quoted, notable is in the case of Ojukwu v. Governor of Lagos State, where he observed that “the law is no respecter of persons, principalities and powers”

As a Catholic, in a world where modern man wants to sideline God, he was not ashamed to practise his religion publicly, he preached God wherever he went, he understood perfectly like St. Thomas More the concept of unity of life. His life proved that harmony can exist and should exist between one’s professional, secular duties and religious duties. That’s why he was called the incorruptible judge. He was a militia Christi, a solider of Christ which earned him several Papal Honours- Knight commander of the orders of St. Gregory and St. Sylvester- which rather than be an opportunity of self- glorification and narcissism was an encouragement to further and deepen the spreading of the good news, primarily through good example.

The title of Socrates was for no reason, he was truly a philosopher, a lover of wisdom, he had an unquenchable hunger for knowledge that is why he studied several disciplines namely economics, history and law, he was nursed in and drank from the fountain of Achimota College, London University and Gray’s Inn, as expected of an intellectual he was a great lover and promoter of good education, this made him despite tight schedules to deliver several lectures  to law students, Catholic students, women, fellow knights, fellow jurists, Old Boys association, Bar Association and lost more. 

He was also a great advocate of the return of the legal profession to its glorious days, where lawyers were gentlemen and really learned in history, literature, Latin and philosophy. To him, learning cannot be without literature, because literature is a compendium comprising the literary culture, literary production of the literary professions. As such for one to be truly learned, he/she must be deeply read, erudite, showing profound knowledge of men and events. This was the link with Lord Denning, their judgments always had that human touch of literary excellence and an eloquent display of the mastery of English language.

Also, like the English Master of Rolls, Lord Denning, he put his experience into writing for the use of posterity; his works include Modern Bar Advocacy (1973), The law and the twin pillars of Justice (1981), Human Rights in the political and legal culture of Nigeria (1998) and lots more.

He was also a personification of human virtue which he lived heroically, notably was his handwork, honesty, transparency and integrity, which enabled him to serve Nigeria in different commissions, he was the Chairman of the Commission of Enquiry into Revenue collection in the East Central State, he was also Chairman of the Federal Government Enquiry into causes of scarcity of Petroleum Products in Nigeria, he was also a member of the Justice Coker Law Revision Committee, member of the Governing Council of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and obviously chairman of the popular Oputa Panel.

All I can say is that the Nigerian legal system, Christendom, Imo state and indeed the world has lost a great man. Now the words of Wole Soyinka spoken at the death of Nelson Mandela that the Africa has lost its soul comes more alive in the demise of Oputa.

Justice Oputa -in line with the dictate of St Paul in 1 Thess 14: 13 who warned that we should “grieve as others do, who have no hope”- was not afraid of death, he saw death as merely a door that opens unto the life eternal.

 Due to his literary prowess and great oratory he was always invited to give tributes or funeral orations at the grave side of his friends and colleagues, such persons who had the posthumous honour of having their tribute being read by Oputa include Dr. R.C. Nzeribe, Barr. Amanze Raymond Njoke, Barr. Alfred Dibua, Adizua Nwakuche, Chief Benson Onumonu, Barr Justus Uzoma Asiji, Hon Justice Chritian Chimobi Abengowe and a host of others, one striking thing in all his tributes I have read so far, is his constant repetition that we are all actors- passing actors on an equally passing stage. We act and we fade away. But the important thing is that we should so act, and act so well that our live would be an inspiration, an echo and a light unto all; so that we leave foot prints on the sands of time, footprints that may serve as welcome beacons lights to guide the faltering footsteps of future generations. Also the issue at stake in dying is therefore not death itself, rather it is whether the man who died had lived a life of effective concern for, a life of useful service to his fellow man, to his brother and his brother.

My synopsis is that Oputa was not Pecksniffian, he lived what he preached, and the tapestry of his life was woven neatly by the words he always repeated at graveside of his friends and colleagues.

My fellow mourners there is no doubt that his death is a sorrowful and heart-rending loss not only to his immediate family but also to the extended family, his home town of Oguta, to lawyers, Judges and especially to me, at the same time it is glorious affirmation that in Nigeria, it is possible to live a corrupt and mediocre free life.

His corporeal fame is dead, but the example of his long, fruitful life and famous life will not die rather it will continue to echo and be a light of legal pre-eminence.

Oputa, like his fellow learned colleagues of old, loved Latin, as such in Latin I pray like he always did for others: Lux aeterna, luceat eis Domine, cum Sactis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine et lux perpetua luceat eis. Transated: May light eternal shine on them Oh Lord, with the Saints for ever. Because Thou art merciful, eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Oputa shared a special characteristic with God which; the power to Judge, We pray that as he stands in the witness box before the almighty Judge he may enjoy the gift of Divine Mercy. 

My fellow mourners, may his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen

Joshua Nwachukwu