Eulogies have continued to pour in for Justice of the Supreme Court, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, who died recently.
The Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, the Nigerian Bar Association, Senator Magnus Abe and the Nigeria Judicial Council have all weighed in with their messages of sympathy for the family of the later legal luminary.
In a statement in Abuja, Amaechi referred to the deceased as “a father and a great advisor”.
He said: “Justice Karibi-Whyte, for me, was a father figure. He was an exemplary personality, a great advisor and I have the uttermost respect for him.
“During his tenure as Pro Chancellor of RSUST where he brought his astute disposition and intellect to bear, there was a remarkable turnaround in the quality of education and handling of affairs in the institution.
“He was also a key member of the State’s Economic Advisory Council when I was governor and my administration and Rivers State benefited richly from his wealth of experience and expertise.
“As a Justice of the Supreme Court, he was very upright, fearless and upheld the rule of law.
“He was a colossus and great teacher. I will miss him deeply. Rivers State and Nigeria just lost a good man, a great man,” he said.
During his time as governor of Rivers State, Amaechi appointed Karibi-Whyte Pro Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) to strengthen the institution’s education and values.
Amaechi prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed Justice and comfort for his wife and entire family.
Abe, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Parry Benson, in Port Harcourt described the late justice as “one of Africa’s foremost international jurists and legal luminaries”.
“Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte meant different things to different people. To me, he was a father, a friend and a counselor. I was mesmerized by his passion and commitment to justice.
“Although, the final chapter in the life and times of this great jurist is now closed, there are many gifts and life changing lessons that his life of service has bequeathed to humanity.
“We join his family and admirers across Nigeria to mourn the passing of a great man.
“We pray that God in His infinite mercy will give strength to his wife and family to bear this tragic loss,”Abe’s statement said.
In his message to the family, the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Paul Usoro, through the association’s spokesperson, Kunle Edun, said: “The NBA hereby expresses its deep condolences to my Lords, Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the entire Nigerian judiciary, government and people of Rivers State, families and friends of our departed noble Lord.
“Justice Karibi-Whyte left behind sterling legacies and delivered landmark judgments that continue to define the Nigerian legal jurisprudence,” it said.
The NBA described the late Supreme Court jurist: “a judicial colossus and one of the greatest jurists that Nigeria ever had.
“Hon. Justice Karibi-Whyte was a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and an erudite Professor of Law.
“He served in other capacities as Chairman of several high-powered Commissions of Inquiry and Tribunals.
“Justice Karibi-Whyte also served as a Judge and Vice President, International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (sitting at the Hague) on November 7, 1993, and Chairman Nigerian Constitutional Conference between 1994 to 1995.
“He authored thirteen books and 55 academic publications in reputable local and international journals, and was highly sought after speaker on legal issues,” the NBA said.
Karibi-Whyte was conferred with the National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) (1998), and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) (2008).
