Innocent Umezulike
Innocent Umezulike | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Innocent Azubike Umezulike 21 September 1953 Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Died | 11 June 2018 (aged 64) London, England |
| Burial place | Mgbidi, Enugu State |
| Occupation | Jurist |
| Years active | 1972–2018 |
| Children | Cynthia Umezulike |
Innocent Azubike Umezulike OFR (21 September 1953 – 11 June 2018) was a Nigerian jurist who served as the chief judge of Enugu State for over 13 years.[1] He remains the longest-serving chief judge in South-Eastern Nigeria, and second longest-serving chief judge in Nigeria.[2]
Education
[edit]Innocent Azubike Umezulike was born on 21 September 1953 in Rivers State, southern Nigeria and a native Ifite Mgbidi in Enugu State. He went to St. Vincent Secondary School, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1971.[3] He then attended the University of Lagos, graduating with a bachelor's degree in law in 1976.
Career
[edit]He joined the Nigerian Television Authority as an assistant legal adviser to the corporation.[4] He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar Association in 1980.[5]
In 1983, Umezulike joined the University of Ibadan's faculty of law before joining Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he began as a senior lecturer in 1987 and became an associate professor in 1992.[6] In August 1993, he was appointed Judge of Enugu State,[5] prior to which he became the state's Chief Judge; after four years of service, he was nominated to serve in the Supreme Court of the Gambia.[2][4] He was also appointed chairman of the Failed Banks Tribunal Zone 6 Nigeria.[7]
Throughout his career, Umezulike served in various positions at public and private institutions, including as a senior special adviser to the Attorney General of Nigeria prior to his appointment as an Enugu State judge.[2] He also authored and published over 23 books on conveyancing, adverse possession, and land and property law throughout his career.[8][9]
Umezulike died at a hospital in London on 11 June 2018.[2] The Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation, set up after his death, held a memorial lecture at the Justice I.A Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu State High Court complex in September 2019, marking the first anniversary of his death with a presentation of the book Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgements Volume 1.[10][11]
Honours
[edit]
Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria[12]
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References
[edit]- ^ "Remembering Justice Innocent Umezulike". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b c d "Umezulike, ex-Enugu CJ dies in London". Vanguard. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ Eneyiramoh, Yisa. "The illegality of judges' book launch and suspicious donors". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Arusuraire, Olivia (29 June 2018). "Politics & Nigeria's Economy 2018: The Life And Death Of Justice Innocent Umezulike". Olatorera.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ a b "National Judicial Council queries Enugu Chief Judge on misconduct". Naijiant. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ Ubabukoh, Ozioma (17 November 2012). "Using ego, ambition to kill a political party". The Punch. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
- ^ Elegbede, Wale (3 July 2018). "Family set to release burial arrangement of Umezulike, Ex-Enugu CJ". New Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Family set to release burial arrangement of Umezulike, Ex-Enugu CJ". Vanguard. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "Former Chief Judge of Enugu State Umezuruike is dead". Everyday News. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ Okeke, Ifeoma (5 September 2019). "Foundation holds one year memorial lecture for late Justice Innocent Umezulike". Business Day. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (6 September 2019). "Foundation to honour Umezulike, ex-Enugu chief judge". The Cable. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
- ^ "Umezulike, ex-Enugu chief judge for burial Sept 28". The Guardian. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
External links
[edit]- The Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation – Official website