23rd October, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Ilori family on the passing of Justice Samuel Omotunde Ilori.
Ilori was the 9th Chief Judge of Lagos State.
He died on 12 October in Lagos. He was 87 years old.
Eleven days after, Buhari joined the Lagos State Government, the Bar, and the National Judicial Council in mourning the eminent jurist.
Ilori was born on 5 January, 1934 in Ilesa, Osun state.
The president affirmed that Justice Ilori will be remembered for his pivotal role in introducing the use of technology in court proceedings in the country.
Buhari added that the Nigerian Judicial system is richer by the lifelong contributions of brilliant judges like Ilori.
He prayed to God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, and comfort family, friends and colleagues that mourn.
Ilori had a distinguished career in the public service spanning over 30 years and capped it as the chief judge of Lagos state. .
He attended Holy Trinity School, Omofe, Ilesha (1942-1950), Divisional Teacher Training College (1953-1954), Gloucester Technical College(1956-1959).
He was also educated at the University of Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom(1959-1962).
He was admitted to the Inner Temple, London(1961-1963), and Nigerian Law School in 1964.
He was in private practice before gaining employment as a Pupil Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice on July 1, 1965.
He transferred his service to Lagos State after the state was created on April 1, 1968.
He rose through the ranks before his appointment as Chief Judge in 1996.
He retired 5 January, 1999.