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Umaru Eri at 68:still in the eye of the Law
By Kolade Umoru
Newsdiaryonline Fri June 24,2011
 He
was once described as elephant because of the multifaceted
characteristics that personifies him and by measure of any
standard, he can also
be described as a giant both in stature even his very
stout physique and scholarly erudition, his age notwithstanding.
While on bench he was very courageous, frank, fearless and
softly outspoken. At various local and international fora, he
had at many times bared his mind on many legal and judicial
matters.
This man retains the energy to fulfill his daily official and
personal engagements ranging from early morning prayers as a
devout Muslim attending routine
administrative duties as an astute administrator of NJI
and chairman, legal practitioners disciplinary committee, Body
of Benchers even as he remains a strict disciplinarian and a man
of methods at home
and in his official responsibilities.
This quintessential personality is no less than Justice Umaru
Eri, OFR (Retd.) who turns 68 today. I joined many of his other
mentorees, admirers and well wishers both at home and abroad to
salute this man of destiny who is
great minds and has
served and is still serving this country meritoriously,
fearlessly and credibly as a legal and judicial officer. He is
unrepentant advocate of judicial reforms and rule of law at all
times while he champions fearless dispensation of justice.
The Bassa born former Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice
Umaru Ali Eri OFR, retd and current Administrator, National
Judicial institute since 1st
August, 2008, was born
on the 27th
June, 1943 into the royal and Aristocratic clan of Estu Ummaru
Eri, MON, of Bassa-Nge Kingdom a close
associate and contemporary of then Premier Northern
Nigeria Sir, Ahmadu Bello (Sarduana of Sokoto). He Atended
RCM primary
school, Idah between 1952-1956 and St. John Anglican Primary
School, Akabe in 1958. He was at the famous Government College,
Keffi from 1959-1963. He studied Law at the Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria in 1970 and was called to
Nigerian Bar in 1971. Since 1971 he had bestrode the Nigerian
Judiciary like a
colossus, joined the public service as pupil state counsel and
later appointed the Pioneer Chief Judge of Kogi Sate in 1991 and
he retired after serving the bench for more than 37 years. At
the period when the pride of the Nigeria Judiciary, the National
Judiciary Institute,NJI needed to be salvaged and
re-focused in line with the dream of the founding
fathers, his lordship, Justice Umaru Eri was again called from
his retirement to bring
his experience to bear and redeem
the intellectual Arm of the Judicial from its
moribund stage. Since he took over the mantle of
leadership, the institute has witnessed massive transformation
in all its facets not limited to physical and infrastructural
facilities massive housing projects etc. The staff intellectual
capacity is enhanced while statutory mandate of the institute in
currently being realigned, and today the institute is the pride
of the Africa continent. At NJI, the management under the
leadership of the Justice Umaru Eri, staff are now more
dedicated, effective, efficient, more proficient, punctual and
eager to work. The staff are equally rewarded by regular local
and international trainings among other fringe benefits.
His landmark judgments and judicial pronouncements are
authorities in law reports ranging from constitutional issues to
criminal law, and to his credit with humility none of his
judgments has been reversed in the Court of Appeal. Those who
know Justice Eri would rather agree with me that he is a man
whose view on issues is that
of rare courage ,balance as a judge and administrator. As
a human being, he is not apolitical, but has never been known to
be a member of any political parties, he discusses politics and
he chooses to remain on the side of the law, a voracious reader
and a good horse rider. He is the Egena - Attah of Igala Land
and Arogundade of Ekrin-Ade. He was confered with the National
Honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
among others.
I came to know this man of great charm and strong passion for
hard work, that exemplifies the life of an honest and truthful
man and of course I am particularly honoured to have know him.
He has put smiles on many people in various ways and his
idiosyncrasies and values are a script for daily learning.
Of late, many attempts have been made by some people to drag his
name into the mud, he wouldn’t look back as he remained
undaunted, ever focused as
I believe history has a place for him and
when the work of the good men shall be written posterity
would not forget
him.
We therefore wish this great man of many parts, the best at 68
and many more years in the service of Nigerian Judiciary and
mankind. May his days be longer, peaceful and happier, Amen. His
life would continue to inspire many generations and generations
to come.
Kolade Umoru, Ch.Mc,
nipr
writes from Abuja.
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