On Friday, October 27, 2023, Justice Musa Dattijo of the Supreme Court will formally step down from the bench.
In a statement made accessible to reporters in Abuja, the capital of the country, on Sunday, Festus Akande, the spokesperson for the supreme court, declared Dattijo’s retirement.
Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will preside over a farewell court session honoring Akande that is scheduled for this Friday at the Apex Court’s Main Courtroom.
Following Justice Amina Augie’s retirement on September 22, 2023, and Justice Chima Nweze’s passing on July 31, 2023, comes Dattijo’s retirement.
As a result of this occurrence, the Supreme Court now has 10 justices, 11 fewer than the 21 required by Section 230(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement said, “On Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s Main Courtroom, there will be a valedictory court session to commemorate Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s retirement from the Supreme Court Bench.
“The Special Court Session is to be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, who will customarily, pay tribute to Justice Musa Dattijo alongside other major stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.
“Justice Musa Dattijo, who hails from Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, was born on Tuesday, October 27, 1953, in Minna.
“He took the oath of office as Justice of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 10th July 2012. His ascension to the Court of Appeal was more of a reward for hard work, inherent passion for his chosen profession, dedication to duty, and above all, a resolute application of the law in its true letters and words to all cases that came to him.
“He earned a well-deserved elevation to the Court of Appeal on 21st November 1998 from the Niger State Judiciary, and served meritoriously at different Divisions.”
