Happy 70th birthday to a man of honour and valor, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu-Onnoghen, GCON.

W.SN Onnoghen, GCON, was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria on 7th March 2017.

Before his appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he worked with the Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos, Ogun State between 1978 and 1979, as the Pupil State Counsel. When he left Ministry of Justice, he went to partner in the Law firm of Effiom Ekong & Company, Calabar between 1979 – 1988. He later became the Principal Partner/Head of Chamber of Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar from the period of 1988 – 1989.

Between 1989 – 1998, he was a High Court Judge of Cross Rivers State Judiciary.

The Fmr. CJN Onnoghen is renowned for his eloquent and erudite Judgemens which are always lucidly engaging and intellectually captivating.

Permit us to call into remembrance the evergreen pronouncement of His Lordship in the famous case of MARWA & ORS. v. ADMIRAL MURTALA NYAKO & ORS (2012) LPELR-SC.141/2011 (CON) where he enthused:

“It is settled law that the time fixed by the constitution for the doing of anything cannot be extended. It is immutable, fixed like the rock of Gibraltar. It cannot be extended, elongated, expanded, or stretched beyond what it states.”

In addition, his lead judgement in the famous case of SARAKI V. FRN (2016) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1500) 531 at 627 is today, not only relevant but a reference point on several constitutional principles.

Besides, his quest in digitalizing the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the entire Judiciary as a whole while he was the CJN is a legacy that will always be built upon.

On this special occasion TheNigerialawyer(TNL), joins a host of friends and family to celebrate this valiant jurist. Lines shall continue to fall for you in pleasant places and heaven will continue to uphold you in good health and a sound mind.

If he had not voluntarily retired himself as a Judicial Officer, the former CJN, was due to retire today from active service.

Happy Birthday, Sir!

From All Of Us At TheNigeriaLawyer.