A former President of the Court of Appeal and the District Head of Malumfashi in Katsina State, retired Justice Mamman Nasir, is dead.
He died in the afternoon at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, after a protracted illness, according to official sources.
In a statement by a presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari described the death of the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir, “as not only a loss to the judiciary, but also the country at large, because of his remarkable commitment to public service.”
The statement reads further: Reacting to the death of the Galadiman Katsina in a statement soon after he heard the news, President Buhari recalled that “the late Nasir belonged to a generation of Judges and Justices who perceived public office as an opportunity to offer selfless service to the country and its people.”
According to Buhari, “Nasir and Judges of their golden age were more interested in leaving untainted record of integrity than accumulation of wealth overnight.”
Buhari said “when you look at Nasir’s modest lifestyle and his incredibly humble possessions, you would be disarmed at once by his honesty and patriotism.”
“While some Nigerians perceive public office as an opportunity to line their pockets, men of Nasir’s character put a higher premium on honest labour than on greedy accumulation of questionable wealth overnight”, Buhari added.
President Buhari explained that “gentlemen like Mamman Nasir succeeded in protecting their reputation because greed was far removed from their minds”, and that “contentment is the secret to a happy life of service to the people.”
According to the President, “lack of contentment is the devil behind greedy accumulation of wealth at the expense of others, but selfless public servants like Nasir were never motivated by the desire to live above their means.”
President Buhari said “Nasir’s family should be proud of their father because he built a solid and impeccable record of integrity, which is the greatest asset any individual should leave behind.”
The President directed that a government delegation be sent to condole the family, the government and people of Katsina State for the loss of this illustrious member of the Katsina Emirate Council.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in a statement through Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) expressed sadness over the death of former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir, and described the late judge as an eminent jurist who contributed immensely to national development.
He stated that the legacies of the late jurist which are replete in his copious rulings and judgements on the many cases he presided during his lifetime would remain a guiding light and source of inspiration to both members of the bench and bar for a long time to come.
Saraki said: “Justice Mamman Nasir was a fearless and hardworking jurist who approached every assignment with firmness and patriotism. He contributed immensely to the development of the judiciary in particular and the nation in general. We shall all miss him.
“He looked very strong when I presented his award to him at the inaugural annual awards ceremony of the Body of Benchers. Nobody could see him that day and predict that he was in his last days. But Allah knows best”, Saraki stated.
The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the nation’s judiciary, the government and people of Katsina State over the sad and irreparable loss.
He prayed Allah to grant the departed soul a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Also, Speaker Dogara in a statement by his spokesman,Turaki Hassan, described the death of Justice Mamman Nasir, the Galadima of Katsina and former President of the Court of Appeals as a monumental loss.
Dogara noted that Justice Nasir was a legal icon and courageous jurist who served the country meritoriously and contributed immensely to the development of the law and independence of the judiciary. He played major roles in stabiling Nigeria at various times during periods of difficulty and uncertainty. His contribution to the overall development of Nigeria would be remembered as one of his legacies.
The Speaker noted that his death came at a time his wisdom, wealth of experience and fatherly guidance are most needed, not only in his home state, Katsina, but in Nigeria at large.
While describing him as a notable jurist and patriotic elder statesman, Dogara stated that“ Nigeria has indeed lost a great and courageous man who exhibited good character and served his country with dignity and integrity.”
“His death will surely leave a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill”.
He condoled with the government and people of Katsina State as well as Katsina Emirate Council and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and his immediate family, the fortitude to bear the loss.
