Innocent Umezulike Explained

Innocent Umezulike
Birth Name:Innocent Azubike Umezulike
Birth Date:21 September 1953
Birth Place:Rivers State, Nigeria
Death Place:London, England
Occupation:Jurist
Children:Cynthia Chisom Umezulike
Yearsactive:1972–2018

Innocent Azubike Umezulike (21 September 1953 – 11 June 2018) was a Nigerian jurist who served as the chief judge of Enugu State for over 13 years.[1] He remains the longest-serving chief judge in South-Eastern Nigeria, and second longest-serving chief judge in Nigeria.[2]

Education

Innocent Azubike Umezulike was born on 21 September 1953 in Rivers State, southern Nigeria. He went to St. Vincent Secondary School, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1971.[3] He then attended the University of Lagos, graduating with a bachelor's degree in law in 1976.

Career

He joined the Nigerian Television Authority as an assistant legal adviser to the corporation.[4] He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar Association in 1980.[5]

In 1983, Umezulike joined the University of Ibadan's faculty of law before joining Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he began as a senior lecturer in 1987 and became an associate professor in 1992.[6] In August 1993, he was appointed Judge of Enugu State,[5] prior to which he became the state's Chief Judge; after four years of service, he was nominated to serve in the Supreme Court of the Gambia. He was also appointed chairman of the Failed Banks Tribunal Zone 6 Nigeria.[7]

Throughout his career, Umezulike served in various positions at public and private institutions, including as a senior special adviser to the Attorney General of Nigeria prior to his appointment as an Enugu State judge. He also authored and published over 23 books on conveyancing, adverse possession, and land and property law throughout his career.[8] [9]

Umezulike died at a hospital in London on 11 June 2018. The Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation, set up after his death, held a memorial lecture at the Justice I.A Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu State High Court complex in September 2019, marking the first anniversary of his death with a presentation of the book Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgements Volume 1.[10] [11]

Honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-06-27 . Remembering Justice Innocent Umezulike . 2022-03-07 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  2. Web site: Umezulike, ex-Enugu CJ dies in London. 27 June 2018 . . 31 July 2018.
  3. Web site: The illegality of judges' book launch and suspicious donors . . Yisa . Eneyiramoh . June 16, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150612131540/http://tribuneonlineng.com/content/illegality-judges%E2%80%99-book-launch-and-suspicious-donors . June 12, 2015 . dead.
  4. Web site: Politics & Nigeria's Economy 2018: The Life And Death Of Justice Innocent Umezulike . 29 June 2018 . Olivia . Arusuraire . Olatorera.com . 13 February 2020.
  5. Web site: National Judicial Council queries Enugu Chief Judge on misconduct . 18 April 2016 . Naijiant . 25 February 2020.
  6. Web site: Using ego, ambition to kill a political party . 17 November 2012 . Ozioma . Ubabukoh . . 16 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150612113610/http://www.punchng.com/politics/using-ego-ambition-to-kill-a-political-party/ . 2015-06-12 . dead.
  7. Web site: Family set to release burial arrangement of Umezulike, Ex-Enugu CJ . 3 July 2018 . Wale . Elegbede . . 25 February 2020.
  8. Web site: Family set to release burial arrangement of Umezulike, Ex-Enugu CJ . 3 July 2018 . . 13 February 2020.
  9. Web site: Former Chief Judge of Enugu State Umezuruike is dead . 27 June 2018 . Everyday News . 13 February 2020.
  10. Web site: Foundation holds one year memorial lecture for late Justice Innocent Umezulike . 5 September 2019 . Ifeoma . Okeke . . 19 February 2020.
  11. Web site: Foundation to honour Umezulike, ex-Enugu chief judge . 6 September 2019 . Dyepkazah . Shibayan . The Cable . 21 February 2020.
  12. Web site: Umezulike, ex-Enugu chief judge for burial Sept 28 . 26 July 2018 . . 13 February 2020.