Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court who gave the order proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has died.
The judge who retired in July 2019 having attained the mandatory retirement age of 65, died at 66 on Thursday.
He gave the order proscribing the secessionist group in September 2017.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Friday that Mr Abdu-Kafarati, who hailed from Bauchi State, died Thursday night, after observing his evening prayer.
NAN quoted a family source announcing the passing of the former judge in a statement.
The statement read, “Innalillahi Wa inna ilaihi Rajiun.
“It is with deep sorry that I announced the passing away of our elder statesman, Hon Justice Abdul Kafarati the immediate-past Chief Justice of High Court of the Federation and former Bauchi State Attorney General which occurred this night (Thursday) after magrib salat at Abuja.”
The federal high court in a statement signed by Catherine Oby Nwandu, its Chief Information Officer said the judge died of cardiac arrest.
The statement read in part: “With great sadness, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, regrets to announce the sudden death of the former Chief Judge of this honourable court; Honorable Justice ADAMU ABDU KAFARATI who passed on last night at about 7:30 pm being 25th February 2021 after his usual evening Magrib Prayer in Abuja.
“The Late Justice died of Cardiac arrest.
“Born on the 25th of July, 1954 at Kwami, Gombe State, he was appointed to the Federal High Court Bench on 31st October, 1991. He became the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on 16th September 2017 and was confirmed as the substantive Chief Judge on 19th June, 2018.
“Late Justice Kafarati retired from the Federal High Court Bench on the 25th July 2019.
“The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Judges of the court, the entire Management and staff of the court commiserate with the family of the deceased.
“Justice Tsoho described the late Chief Judge as calm and gentle, but very courageous; extremely humble and forthright in all his dealings.
“The pain of the exit of Late Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati will be felt by the court and as well as the country at large.” He added.
