Another Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Ejembi Eko ,will on Monday, May 23, 2022 bow out of Nigeria’s judiciary.
His retirement is coming barely two weeks after a female eminent jurist, Mary Ukaego Peter Odili bowed out in the same manner.
Justice Eko is leaving the apex court bench having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
The Director of Press and Information, Dr. Festus Akande, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the Justice has signified intention to pull out of the judiciary in line with the provisions of the law.
To make the retirement a befitting one, he said a valedictory court session will be held in his honour on Monday May 23 2022 in the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He said the session will be presided by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad and by tradition, will feature speeches by major stakeholders in the Justice sector.
Among those listed to make speeches are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and the retiree.
Justice Ejembi Eko who was born on May 23 1952 in Benue State, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1977 after completing his Law Degree at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife in 1976.
He worked in different law firms in Benue State before getting an appointment as Director of Civil Litigation in April 1987.
He became Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General in Benue State Ministry of Justice on October 1 1987 and was later appointed to Benue State High Court Bench on 9th February 1989.
Justice Eko subsequently acted as Chief Judge of Benue State between November 2005 and February 2006.
He was sworn in as Justice of the Court of Appeal on 15 and was subsequently elevated to the Supreme Court Bench on November 7 2016.
With his retirement from the Supreme Court Bench, the ranks of the apex Court have been further depleted to 16 Justices including the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The Punch