President Tinubu celebrates Justice Oguntade at 85
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Supreme Court Justice and Nigeria’s ex-High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Justice George Oguntade, on his 85th birthday.
In a statement on Tuesday, the President lauded Justice Oguntade’s contributions to Nigeria’s legal system, describing him as a fearless jurist whose landmark judgments have left a lasting impact on the country’s jurisprudence.
Justice Oguntade, who began his career as a court clerk, was appointed a judge of the Lagos High Court in 1980. He later served at the Court of Appeal from 1987 to 2004 before being elevated to the Supreme Court, where he played a pivotal role in shaping constitutional and administrative law in Nigeria.
President Tinubu highlighted Oguntade’s dissenting judgment in the 2007 presidential election dispute, in which he annulled the election and ordered a re-run in the case filed by then-opposition candidate General Muhammadu Buhari against President Umaru Yar’Adua.
In his tribute, President Tinubu said, “I celebrate this landmark age as a testament to a life marked by remarkable service in the judiciary and diplomacy. Lawyers will remember your tenure at the Supreme Court for several landmark judgments that continue to resonate in the nation’s legal system. May your legacy of courage and excellence continue to endure.”
Beyond the judiciary, Oguntade also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2020, strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
President Tinubu wished Justice Oguntade continued good health and God’s blessings in the years ahead.
