Justice Ayo Salami: Tributes To His Integrity

Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

Stakeholders in the judiciary and the legal practice as well as politicians from across political parties attended the venue of the book launch in Abuja today to pay homage to Justice Isa Ayo Salami, a man whose courageous dispensation of justice has been adjudged as flawless.

Chairman of the event and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Lawal Uwais, while presenting his opening remark berated the National Judicial Council, NJC, made up of a high calibre of judicial personalities, for treating Salami unfairly.

“It follows that Hon. Justice Salami has been unfairly treated by the NJC. It is disturbing, to say the least, that the NJC whose membership consists of eminent and experienced judges and lawyers, should act in the manner they treated Hon. Salami”

He also noted that with Salami’s retirement taking effect on the 15th of October, 2013, that his suspension from office automatically comes to an end.

Further more, Justice Uwais reiterated his earlier position that it is the NJC, and not President Goodluck Jonathan, who is vested with the power to suspend a judicial officer from office for misconduct, as a disciplinary measure.

Speakers, including Prof Wole Soyinka, heaped praises upon the jurist who stared tyrannical authority in the face and dispensed justice without fear or favour.

The book reviewer, Prof. Ademola Popoola, former Dean of the Law Faculty of Obafemi University also paid glowing tribute to the man, Justice Ayo Isa Salami whom he described as a man of great courage, integrity and impeccable character.

The Book; Isa Ayo Salami: Through Life And Justice, was edited by Funmi Quadri in honour of the retiring jurist and was unveiled at the event by former CJN Lawal Uwais alongside another former CJN, Justice Idris Kutigi with support from Justice Bulkachuwa, the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.

Other personalities at the event include Zamfara state Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, who was the Chief Presenter of the book, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state, former governor of Lagos state, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

There were other leaders of the All Progressives Congress in attendance, including former Head of state General Muhhamadu Buhari, Lai Mohammed, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallam Bello Masari, Chief Bisi Akande, Malam Nasir el Rufai and a host of others.

The Governor of Zamfara on behalf of Progressive governors, purchased 25 copies of the book at sum of N55 million with directives that the books be shared to selected Nigerian Universities which are currently on strike.

Tinubu on his part, thanked Salami for teaching Nigerians courage and integrity in the ocean of corruption. he thanked him for showing Nigerians a path of honour and enhancing the human character while demonstrating that the country can produce heroes in their callings.

He also praised Salami’s humane and impeccable character in the face of intimidation and expressed the need for more men like the jurist in Nigeria, who can stare power in the face and do the right thing.

He noted that an institution must stand upon the pillars of justice, fairness and equity.

“When justice is denied, people take to guns and gun powder but may God forbid that for our nation” noted Tinubu.

Also in attendance were serving Justices of the Supreme Court, including Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, Justice A. B Akaas as well as Justices of the Court of Appeal.